COUNTY OF SAN MATEO

Inter-Departmental Correspondence

ENVIRONMENTAL SERVICES AGENCY

DATE:

February 14, 2005

BOARD MEETING DATE:

March 1, 2005

SPECIAL NOTICE/HEARING:

None

VOTE REQUIRED:

Four-fifths

TO:

Honorable Board of Supervisors

FROM:

Marcia Raines, Director of Environmental Services

SUBJECT:

Agreement with Environmental Science Associates (ESA) for the Preparation of Draft and Final Environmental Impact Reports for the Clos de la Tech Winery

RECOMMENDATION:

Adopt a Resolution:

A.

Authorizing the execution of an Agreement with Environmental Science Associates (ESA) to prepare Draft and Final Environmental Impact Reports (EIR) for the Clos de la Tech winery project.

B.

Authorizing an Appropriation Transfer Request (ATR) in the amount of $191,615 from Unanticipated Revenue to Contractual Services.

VISION ALIGNMENT:

Commitment: Responsive, effective and collaborative government.

Goal 20: Government decisions are based on careful consideration of future impact, rather than temporary relief or immediate gain.

This Agreement contributes to the goal by providing the Board of Supervisors with sufficient information about potential impacts of this project upon which to make an informed decision regarding this land use request.

Performance Measure:

Measure

FY 2004-05
Actual

FY 2005-06
Projected

Percent of compliance with California Environmental Quality Act requirements

100%

100%

BACKGROUND:

The County will be entering into an agreement with ESA to perform environmental consulting services to prepare a Draft Environmental Impact Report (DEIR) and a Final Environmental Impact Report (FEIR) and a Mitigation Monitoring Reporting Program for a proposed winery located at 19775 Skyline Boulevard. The applicant is proposing to establish the winery within existing caves on the project parcel. Within the caves will be winery operations (crushing, bottling, and storage), winery offices, and living quarters for up to six people. At a different location on the property will be living quarters for 12 farm laborers. The grapes for the winery will be grown on-site. The applicant has also proposed a zoning text amendment that would limit annual bottling to 13,000 cases.

DISCUSSION:

ESA was selected to prepare the EIR after a Request for Proposals was issued to 24 qualified firms, five of which submitted proposals and were all interviewed. ESA was selected based on their understanding of the issues involved and their technical expertise with which to analyze those issues. ESA’s total bid was $191,615, and the project is expected to last till June 30, 2006.

The services to be performed include the following:

1.

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

2.

Description of the environmental setting and evaluation of project impacts, focusing upon potential noise, transportation, vegetation/wildlife, land use/zoning, geology, hydrology, and visual impacts.

3.

Development of three project alternatives to be evaluated, including a No Action Alternative.

4.

Delivery of a 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.

County Counsel has reviewed and approved the Agreement and Resolution as to form.

FISCAL IMPACT:

The total amount of the proposed Agreement is $191,615. The entire amount is being paid for by the applicant, T.J. Rogers, and the ATR will set up the appropriation in the Planning budget to pay for this Agreement. There is no Net County Cost impact.