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County Clerk Please Stamp Here CITY OF EL CERRITO NOTICE OF INTENT TO ADOPT A NEGATIVE DECLARATION El Cerrito Ohlone Greenway Master Plan Planning Commission April 15, 2009 Notice is hereby given that the City of El Cerrito finds that no significant effect on the environment, as prescribed by the California Environmental Quality Act of 1970 (CEQA), as amended, will occur for the following proposed project: 1. Project Proponent: City of El Cerrito, 10890 San Pablo Avenue, El Cerrito, CA 94530 2. Project Description: The El Cerrito Ohlone Greenway is an approximately 2.7- mile, 21-acre linear park and multi-use path that runs underneath the elevated Bay Area Rapid Transit (BART) tracks on City and BART owned right-of-way. The path and linear park were built and vegetated in stages between the 1960’s and 1990’s by BART, the City of El Cerrito and volunteers. The proposed Master Plan was developed with the purpose of articulating an overall vision and goals for the Greenway such that future enhancements and improvements contribute cohesively to the vision and goals. The document does not provide detailed design for each area of the Greenway, but provides guidelines and programmatic recommendations with the goal of ensuring that future design efforts and improvements are carried forward in a coherent and consistent manner that reflects the community’s values. The Master Plan includes several sections, including: Introduction; Site Analysis, Master Plan Design Vision, Design Guidelines, Public Improvement Studies, Implementation and an Appendix. It was prepared under the direction of the Parks and Recreation Commission and based upon information gathered through several public meetings as well as meetings with specific user groups and internal City departments. At its October 22, 2008 public meeting, the El Cerrito Parks and Recreation Commission held a public hearing and recommended the Plan be adopted by City Council following CEQA review. 3. Project Location: Along the existing Ohlone Greenway, within the City and BART right-of-way from the city’s northern to southern city limits. ---PAGE BREAK--- 4. Findings: City staff has determined that the project described above will not have a significant effect on the environment for the reasons stated below. 5. Statement of Reasons to Support the Finding: Staff conducted an Initial Study/Negative Declaration, pursuant to California Resources Code Chapter 2.6, Section 21080 and the California Environmental Quality Act Guidelines, Article 6 - Negative Declaration Process. The Initial Study identifies potential impacts to the environment as a result of development of the proposed project. The Initial Study did not identify any environmental topics as being associated with potentially significant impacts. 6. Initial Study and Negative Declaration: Project plans, an environmental analysis of the potential effects of the project and related background source materials may be reviewed at the following locations: during normal business hours at the City of El Cerrito Department of Planning, located at 10890 San Pablo Avenue, El Cerrito, CA; and on the City’s website at www.el-cerrito.org 7. Hazardous Materials: The site is not listed on a hazardous materials database. The project site would not create a significant hazard to the public or environment. 8. Public Review: The public comment period for this environmental determination will begin on March 16, 2009. Anyone who wishes to comment on the findings of this environmental analysis must submit these comments in writing to Melanie Mintz, Environmental Services Division Manager, 10890 San Pablo Avenue, El Cerrito, CA 94530 or [EMAIL REDACTED] Comments must be received by 4:00 p.m. on April 15, 2009. 9. Notice of Intent to Adopt a Negative Declaration: Notice is hereby given that the City of El Cerrito Planning Commission will consider the adoption of this proposed Negative Declaration and its findings at a public hearing tentatively scheduled on April 15, at 7:30 p.m., in the Council Chambers at City Hall, 10890 San Pablo Avenue in El Cerrito. This proposed Negative Declaration does not signify approval or disapproval of this project by City decision-making bodies. The final decision-making body will consider the proposed Negative Declaration together with any comments received during the public review process to determine whether the project will have a significant impact on the environment. Sean Moss Associate Planner