COUNTY OF SAN MATEO

Inter-Departmental Correspondence

 

ENVIRONMENTAL SERVICES AGENCY

 
 

DATE:

July 12, 2004

   

BOARD MEETING DATE:

July 27, 2004

 
 

TO:

Honorable Board of Supervisors

   

FROM:

Marcia Raines, Director of Environmental Services

   

SUBJECT:

Consideration of a Resolution Authorizing the Waiving of Request for Proposal Process and Execution of an Agreement with EIP Associates for Preparation of an Environmental Impact Report (EIR) for the Highland Estates Project

 

RECOMMENDATION

 

Adopt a resolution authorizing the waiving of request for proposal process and the execution of an agreement with EIP Associates for preparation of an Environmental Impact Report for the Highland Estates Project.

 

BACKGROUND

 

In August 1991, the County entered into an agreement with EIP Associates for preparation of an Environmental Impact Report (EIR) for the Highland Estates Project. In December 1995, a new contract was entered into to allow for additional public meetings and expanded technical analyses. A Draft EIR was prepared by EIP Associates in 1998. However, this was not circulated for public review. The Board, with agreement from the applicant, directed that mediation meetings should take place between the developer and local homeowners’ groups in an attempt to resolve a number of ongoing concerns regarding the project. This mediation has been ongoing.

 

The project has been revised to now include 66 residential units compared with a total of 92 units as previously proposed and reviewed in the 1998 Draft EIR. As such, the Draft EIR needs to be revised and updated to review this amended project and to update the data and conclusions in light of changes in environmental conditions, cumulative development and current regulatory requirements of agencies having jurisdiction over natural resources and construction procedures.

 

Staff recommends that the County enter into an agreement with EIP Associates to perform environmental consulting services to prepare a Revised Draft Environmental Impact Report (RDEIR) and a Final Environmental Impact Report (FEIR) for a proposed subdivision located in San Mateo Highlands. The proposal is for a subdivision including 40 multi-family units and 26 single-family detached units for a total of 66 residential units.

 

DISCUSSION

 

EIP Associates has been involved with this project since 1991 (see Background above) and have previously prepared a Draft EIR for this project. It is considered that they are the most suitable consultants to continue with the preparation of the Revised Draft EIR. They are thoroughly knowledgeable of this project and the issues, and they have good technical expertise to analyze those issues. Thus, it is in the best interest of the County to waive the request for proposal process.

 

EIP Associates’ total bid was $169,552, and the project is expected to take 18 months.

 

The services to be performed are described in the agreement. Major project tasks include the following:

   

1.

Project scoping/public outreach to foster public involvement in the EIR process and solicit input on the EIR content.

   

2.

Development of four project alternatives to be evaluated, including a No Action Alternative and including an Alternative proposed by the Highlands Community Association.

   

3.

Description of the environmental setting and impact evaluation, including evaluation of population and housing, traffic and circulation, public services, utilities, visual quality and community character, energy, cultural resources, public health and safety, geology, soils and seismicity, hydrology and water quality, vegetation and wildlife, air quality and noise.

   

4.

Delivery of a Revised Draft EIR to be circulated for public review and comment.

   

5.

Delivery of the Final EIR that includes responses to public comments.

   

6.

Attendance at key public hearings.

   

In addition, staff has met with the homeowners’ association representatives once on July 1, 2004 and are attempting to arrange additional meetings to review issues associated with the execution of an agreement with EIP Associates. Staff will report the results of those meetings to you at the public hearing.

 

VISION ALIGNMENT

 

This agreement with EIP Associates keeps the commitment of Redesigning our urban environment to increase vitality, expand variety and reduce congestion and goal number 12: Land use decisions consider transportation and other infrastructure needs as well as impacts on the environment and on surrounding communities. The agreement contributes to this commitment and goal since EIP Associates will be undertaking an Environmental Impact Report for a proposed development scheme to assess the potential impacts on transportation and the environment.

 

FISCAL IMPACT

 

The total obligation under this Agreement is $169,552, which is funded by the developer, Chamberlain Group. The term of the Agreement is from July 27, 2004 through December 31, 2005. These services have been included in the Recommended Planning and Building Budget for FY2004-05. There is no Net County Cost.

 

REVIEW BY OTHERS

 

The resolution and agreement have been reviewed by County Counsel.