City of Petaluma Urban Growth Boundary (UGB) Renewal

Summary

SCH Number
2024070505
Public Agency
City of Petaluma
Document Title
City of Petaluma Urban Growth Boundary (UGB) Renewal
Document Type
NOE - Notice of Exemption
Received
Posted
7/12/2024
Document Description
The City of Petaluma's UGB was established in 1998 through Measure I and extended in 2010 through 2025. The purpose of the proposed UGB Ballot measure is to extend the UGB for a period of 25 years through 2050, with modifications. Under the proposed renewal, the boundary of the UGB would remain unchanged from its current alignment. Three of the four identified "potential expansion areas" present in the existing 2025 UGB would be removed. The Corona Station expansion area would be retained, and language clarified to allow for "potential expansion" within ½ mile of the Corona SMART Station. The proposed UGB renewal would retain the existing four exceptions that provide options for the City Council to consider a proposed expansion of the UGB boundaries absent approval by a vote of the people.

Contact Information

Name
Heather Hines
Agency Name
City of Petaluma Community Development Department
Job Title
Special Projects Manager
Contact Types
Lead/Public Agency

Location

Cities
Petaluma
Counties
Sonoma
Regions
Citywide
Cross Streets
English Street and Western Avenue
Zip
94952

Notice of Exemption

Exempt Status
Statutory Exemption
Type, Section or Code
Sec. 21080: 15061(b)(3)
Reasons for Exemption
The Project to extend the City of Petaluma UGB through 2050, is exempt from CEQA in accordance with Section 1506l(b)(3), General Rule, Section 15307, Protection of Natural Resources, and Section 15308 Protection of Natural Resources. The Project is eligible for the General Rule Section 15061(b)(3) statutory exemption as there is no physical development that would occur, and it can be seen with certainly that no adverse direct or indirect environmental impacts would result from the extension of the UGB.

Exempt Status
Categorical Exemption
Type, Section or Code
Sec. 15307 (Natural Resources), 15308 (Environment)
Reasons for Exemption
The Project to extend the City of Petaluma UGB through 2050, is exempt from CEQA in accordance with Section 1506l(b)(3), General Rule, Section 15307, Protection of Natural Resources, and Section 15308 Protection of Natural Resources. The project is categorically exempt pursuant to CEQA Guidelines Sections 15307 (Actions by Regulatory Agencies for the Protection of Natural Resources) and 15308 (Actions by Regulatory Agencies for Protection of the Environment) as it involves continuing well established policies and regulation that create a boundary within which urban growth is limited. Without the proposed extension, through 2050, the UGB will sunset on December 31, 2025, which would remove all limits on urban growth provided by the UGB. The Project would, upon expiration of the current UGB (December 31, 2025), reestablish the UGB with proposed modifications, effective January l, 2026, for an additional 25 years, through December 31, 2050. The UGB restricts development within the city's planning area to urban and infill properties and prevents urban sprawl. The UGB preserves urban separators, open space, and agricultural lands surrounding the City of Petaluma, thereby protecting natural resources and the environment. The UGB reinforces the General Plan's intent to accommodate planned future growth and to buildout in areas planned for development, in a manner consistent with goals and policies to protect natural resources and the environment, as well as public health and safety, while accommodating a diversity of housing options, and reducing greenhouse gas emissions to advance the City's goal of achieving carbon neutrality by 2030. As the proposed renewal of the UGB through 2050 serves to further the protections to natural resources and the environment afforded since its establishment in 1998, the Project is exempt pursuant to CEQA Guidelines Section 15307 and 15308.
County Clerk
Sonoma

Attachments

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