To: Board of Supervisors
Department or Agency Name(s): Sonoma County Public Infrastructure and Permit Sonoma
Staff Name and Phone Number: Johannes J. Hoevertsz, 707-565-2550, Tennis Wick
Vote Requirement: Majority
Supervisorial District(s): First
Title:
Title
Mitigated Negative Declaration for the Arnold Drive Bike Lane Project
End
Recommended Action:
Recommended action
Adopt a Resolution adopting the Mitigated Negative Declaration, adopting the Mitigation Monitoring Program, and approving the Project to construct the Arnold Drive Bike Lane Project (Project Number C18122) on Arnold Drive from Country Club Drive to Madrone Road.
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Executive Summary:
The Arnold Drive Bike Lane Project (“Project”) would result in the construction of Class II bicycle lanes along an approximately two-mile segment of Arnold Drive from Country Club Drive to Madrone Road. The purpose of the Project is to improve safety and mobility for nonmotorized transportation users. The Project aligns with County goals encouraging safe bicycle ridership and infrastructure, supporting zero emission transportation options, and aligning with the Countywide Bicycle and Pedestrian Master Plan.
A California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) Initial Study was prepared for the Project and presented to the Environmental Review Committee on February 27, 2024 and May 28, 2024. The Environmental Review Committee reviewed the Initial Study and recommended a Mitigated Negative Declaration be prepared. The Mitigated Negative Declaration, including the proposed mitigation measures, was circulated for public and agency review.
Notice of a 30-day public review of the Mitigated Negative Declaration and Initial Study from June 4 through July 3, 2024 was provided in accordance with CEQA and State and County CEQA guidelines; all comments have been addressed in the CEQA document. Sonoma County Public Infrastructure will obtain all appropriate permits before constructing the Project.
Discussion:
Sonoma Public Infrastructure recommends that the Board adopt the attached Resolution adopting the Mitigated Negative Declaration (MND) and Mitigation Monitoring Program, approving the Project, and directing the Permit and Resource Management Department to file a Notice of Determination with the County Clerk.
The Arnold Drive Bike Lane Project would construct Class II bike lanes, and require select areas of road widening, paving, signage/striping improvements, storm drainage improvements, culvert extensions, frontage property improvements, and utility relocations. The Project will not increase vehicular traffic capacity, however, five feet of bike lanes will be added on each side of the road. Following Project approval, the process of acquiring a slope easement and temporary construction easements will begin. Construction is anticipated in 2025.
The key environmental impact identified in the MND is tree removal along a scenic corridor and the associated visual impact. The Project will remove approximately 83 trees (primarily oaks). Trees that are removed will be replaced in-kind with native tree species planted as close as feasible to the area in which an existing tree is removed, as well as other mitigation measures to mitigate visual impacts along the Arnold Drive Scenic Corridor to less than significant levels. During the design process, efforts were made to save any many trees as possible.
The Board approved the original design contract for this Project with GHD Engineering Consultants on July 23, 2021.
If the Project is approved by the Board, Sonoma Public Infrastructure will proceed with final design and bidding and will return to the Board for awarding of the construction contract.
Strategic Plan:
This item directly supports the County’s Five-year Strategic Plan and is aligned with the following pillar, goal, and objective.
Pillar: Resilient Infrastructure
Goal: Goal 3: Continue to invest in critical road, bridge, bicycle, and pedestrian infrastructure.
Objective: Objective 3: Invest $5 million by 2024 on new pedestrian and bicycle facilities, and adopt maintenance guidelines on roads to consider bicyclists and pedestrians.
Racial Equity:
Was this item identified as an opportunity to apply the Racial Equity Toolkit?
No
Prior Board Actions:
Design Contract approved on July 23, 2021
Fiscal Summary
Narrative Explanation of Fiscal Impacts:
Since the adoption of the Mitigated Negative Declaration (MND) and Mitigation Monitoring Program (MMP) will not trigger additional tasks or scope to the existing project there is no direct fiscal impact associated with this Board Action.
Narrative Explanation of Staffing Impacts (If Required):
N/A
Attachments:
Resolution; Mitigated Negative Declaration; Mitigation Monitoring Program; Comments
Related Items “On File” with the Clerk of the Board:
None.