COUNTY OF SAN MATEO

Inter-Departmental Correspondence

 

PLANNING AND BUILDING DEPARTMENT

 

DATE:

September 15, 2008

BOARD MEETING DATE:

September 30, 2008

SPECIAL NOTICE/HEARING:

None

VOTE REQUIRED:

Four-fifths

 

TO:

Honorable Board of Supervisors

   

FROM:

Lisa Grote, Director of Community Development

   

SUBJECT:

First Amendment to Agreement with Impact Sciences for the Preparation of an Environmental Impact Report (EIR) for the Ticonderoga/Highland Estates Subdivision

 

RECOMMENDATION

A)

Adopt a Resolution:

 

1)

Authorizing the execution of a First Amendment to the Agreement with Impact Sciences to prepare Draft and Final Environmental Impact Reports for the Ticonderoga/Highland Estates Subdivision to extend the term from July 1, 2008 to December 31, 2009 and to increase the maximum amount payable thereunder by $57,580, from $114,305 to $171,885; and

 

2)

Authorizing the Director of Community Development or the Director’s designee to execute contract amendments which modify the County’s maximum fiscal obligation by no more than $25,000 (in aggregate), and/or modify the contract term and/or services so long as the modified term or services is/are within the current or revised fiscal provisions.

     

B)

Authorize an Appropriation Transfer Request (ATR) in the amount of $57,580 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 First Amendment 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

FY 2007-08 Actual

FY 2008-09 Projected

Percent of compliance with California Environmental Quality Act requirements

100%

100%

BACKGROUND

On February 27, 2007 the County entered into a multi-phase Agreement with Impact Sciences to perform environmental consulting services to prepare an Environmental Impact Report (EIR) for a proposed subdivision located in the unincorporated San Mateo Highlands. The original proposal was for a subdivision and related permits for four homesites on Bunker Hill Drive and four on Ticonderoga Drive, with a designated remainder parcel, and an additional open-space parcel. Impact Sciences completed the Initial Study, and a public scoping meeting was held June 5, 2007. On September 11, 2007, the Board of Supervisors rezoned a portion of the parcel and the application was no longer in compliance with County zoning regulations.

 

DISCUSSION

The Final EIR was to have been completed by early 2008. However, the County’s rezoning of a portion of the parcel and the applicant’s submittal of a revised application to address this rezoning has delayed completion of the Draft EIR. The revised application now includes a subdivision and related permits for 11 homesites, including two additional homesites on Cobble Hill Place, one on Cowpens Way, and a proposed 92.45 acre open-space parcel, in addition to the eight originally-proposed homesites.

 

In addition to extending the term of the Agreement, the proposed First Amendment includes the following modifications to the original Scope of Work that will require an additional $57,580 to complete:

1.

Additional analysis of topics including wildland fire risk, project-related traffic impacts (including the services of a subconsultant), and construction-related air quality and noise not included in the original EIR proposal,

2.

Expanding the EIR analysis to cover the three new homesites in the revised plans, including additional analysis of aesthetics, biological resources, geology and soils,

3.

Additional geotechnical investigation (including the services of a subconsultant) requested by the County Geologist.

 

The Contractor has assured compliance with the County's Contractor Employee Jury Service Ordinance, as well as all other contract provisions that are required by County ordinance and administrative memoranda, including but not limited to insurance, hold harmless, non-discrimination and equal benefits. County Counsel has reviewed and approved the Resolution and Amendment as to form.

 

FISCAL IMPACT

The proposed First Amendment increases the amount of the Agreement by $57,580 for a total of $171,885, which is being paid for by the applicant, Ticonderoga Partners/Chamberlain Group. The proposed First Amendment will extend the term from July 1, 2008 until December 31, 2009 to allow for additional time to complete the remaining work. There is no net County cost impact associated with this Amendment.