Title
Adopt Resolution to:
a. Certify the Final Environmental Impact Report for the Jail Housing Addition Project (SCH No. 2013011006);
b. Adopt California Environmental Quality Act findings for project approval;
c. Adopt a Mitigation Monitoring and Reporting Program; and
d. Approve proceeding with the Jail Housing Addition Project.
(County Project No. 8819/1410 Natividad Road, Salinas) [PD 080640 (APN 003-851-034)]
(ADDED VIA ADDENDUM)
Report
RECOMMENDATION:
It is recommended that the Board of Supervisors adopt Resolution (attached) to:
a. Certify the Final Environmental Impact Report for the Jail Housing Addition Project (SCH No. 2013011006);
b. Adopt California Environmental Quality Act findings for project approval;
c. Adopt a Mitigation Monitoring and Reporting Program; and
d. Approve proceeding with the Jail Housing Addition Project.
(County Project No. 8819/1410 Natividad Road, Salinas) [PD 080640 (APN 003-851-034)]
SUMMARY/DISCUSSION:
An Environmental Impact Report (EIR) has been prepared pursuant to the requirements of the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) to assess potential environmental impacts of the Jail Housing Addition Project (Project). The analysis determined that there is no substantial evidence that the project, as mitigated, will have a significant effect on the environment. On June 20, 2014, a Notice of Completion & Environmental Determination was filed with the State Clearinghouse. On June 26, 2104, a Notice of Availability of the Draft Environmental Impact Report was published in the Monterey County Weekly. The Draft Environmental Impact Report (DEIR) was circulated for public comment from June 26, through August 13, 2014.
The proposed Project site is a 2.6-acre parcel located on County property at 1410 Natividad Road in the City of Salinas. The proposed Project will involve new building construction and expansion of the existing Monterey County Adult Detention Facility to accommodate 576 additional beds and associated program space for inmates housed in the detention facility. This Project will increase the design (rated) bed capacity from 825 to 1,401 beds. The proposed Project will be constructed in one phase. The expansion will be constructed at the southwest corner of the existing detention facility property on a portion of the existing staff parking lot and a fenced grassy area and will consist of two buildings. The main building will be a 50-foot tall, stacked structure with housing units that have cells on the main floor and on a tier level. A second smaller, single-level building located south of the main structure will be designated for administrative purposes.
The Monterey County Planning Commission considered the Project as part of the Capital Improvement Program (CIP) and found it to be consistent with the County of Monterey General Plan pursuant to Government Code section 65402. On May 6, 2015, staff issued a letter of referral to the City of Salinas planning agency, for its review of the project for consistency with the City General Plan. On May 20, 2015, the City of Salinas responded that the Project was consistent with the City's General Plan.
One of the comment letters on the FEIR was from L+G LLP Attorneys at Law representing Higashi Farms, regarding the potential for downstream flooding of Carr Lake. The letter provided twenty two points of concern. The Final EIR addressed point by point all of the concerns in the letter. The reports referenced in the Final EIR indicate the post project stormwater release rate to Carr Lake is less than or equal to the pre-project stormwater release rate.
OTHER AGENCY INVOLVEMENT:
The County of Monterey is the lead agency for the proposed Project. The Resource Management Agency - Public Works (RMA-PW) has circulated the DEIR through the California State Clearinghouse. No state agencies submitted comments to the State Clearinghouse. The Office of the Sheriff and RMA-PW are working jointly with the Board of State and Community Corrections (BSCC) to meet the State-mandated milestones to maintain the conditional award that the County received under the AB 900 program and to move forward to the construction document phase.
FINANCING:
On January 15, 2013, the Board approved a Five-Year CIP financing plan, which includes this Project. In addition to a $80 Million State grant, the County has contributed $8.9 Million from Fund 404, for a total project cost of $88,900,000. Anticipated, yet undetermined, increased staffing costs associated with operation of a facility larger than the present one may also impact the General Fund Contribution.
Prepared by: Donald D. Searle, Architectural Services Manager (831) 755-5061
Approved by: Robert K. Murdoch, P.E., Director of Public Works
Approved by: Carl P. Holm, AICP, Acting RMA Director
Approved by: Stephen Bernal, Sheriff
Dated: June 3, 2015
Attachments:
Attachment 1 - Resolution;
Attachment 2 - City of Salinas Response Letter dated 5/20/15;
Attachment 3 - Draft EIR;
Attachment 4 - Final EIR;
Attachment 5 - Location Map (Attachments on file with the Clerk of the Board)
cc: Manny Gonzales, Assistant CAO; Sheriff Stephen Bernal