HomeMy WebLinkAboutResolution 2026-063
City of Atascadero
Resolution No. 2026-063
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RESOLUTION NO. 2026-063
A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF
ATASCADERO, CALIFORNIA CERTIFYING THE FINAL
ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT REPORT, ADOPTING FINDINGS OF
FACT PURSUANT TO THE CALIFORNIA ENVIRONMENTAL
QUALITY ACT, ADOPTING A MITIGATION MONITORING AND
REPORTING PROGRAM, AND ADOPTING A STATEMENT OF
OVERRIDING CONSIDERATIONS FOR THE 2045 GENERAL PLAN
CONSISTING OF THE FOLLOWING ELEMENTS - LAND USE AND
COMMUNITY FORM, ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT, HOUSING,
MOBILITY, RECREATION AND OPEN SPACE, PUBLIC SERVICES
AND INFRASTRUCTURE, AND SAFETY AND EMERGENCY
PREPAREDNESS - AND THE CORRESPONDING ZONING CODE
UPDATE (SCH#2024070598)
WHEREAS, California Government Code Section 65300 requires the City of Atascadero
(“City”) to adopt and maintain a General Plan that contains certain elements, describes the City's
long-term goals for growth and development, and identifies policies and programs to achieve
those goals; and
WHEREAS, the City of Atascadero last completed a comprehensive update of its
General Plan in 2002 (adopted June 25, 2002) which has been amended in part from time to time;
and
WHEREAS, in July 2021, the City began the process of comprehensively updating the
City's General Plan, and since this time City officials, City staff, and community members have
been actively involved in the preparation of the 2045 General Plan Update ("2045 General Plan");
and
WHEREAS, the 2045 General Plan applies to lands within City limits (“City Planning
Area”). The City's Planning Area covers a total of 38 square miles of land; and
WHEREAS, in December 2021, the City selected MIG, Inc. to prepare the 2045 General
Plan and a corresponding Environmental Impact Report; and
WHEREAS, pursuant to Government Code Section 65351, the City engaged the
community to help formulate the 2045 General Plan by holding 17 community workshops and
other public engagement opportunities, including open houses on October 14, 2023 and October
21, 2025; and
WHEREAS in accordance with Government Code sections 65351 through 65352.5, the
City has provided opportunities for public input and involvement on the 2045 General Plan, and
provided opportunities for consultation to affected public agencies and California Native
American tribes on the 2045 General Plan; and
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WHEREAS, in conformance with Government Code section 65302 describing the
mandatory elements of a general plan, the 2045 General Plan contains the following chapters,
which address the mandatory elements: Land Use and Community Form, Economic
Development, Housing, Mobility, Recreation and Open Space, Public Services and
Infrastructure, and Safety and Emergency Preparedness; and
WHEREAS, the Housing Element was adopted by the Atascadero City Council (“City
Council”) on November 10, 2020 and was certified by the California Department of Housing and
Community Development (HCD) for the 6th Cycle Housing element (2020-2028) on January 12,
2021; and
WHEREAS, for the purpose of the City Council’s determination contained herein the
2045 General Plan includes the following elements: Land Use and Community Form, Economic
Development, Housing, Mobility, Recreation and Open Space, Public Services and
Infrastructure, and Safety and Emergency Preparedness; and does not include the Housing
Element; and
WHEREAS, there are no proposed changes to the City's Sphere of Influence
accompanying the 2045 General Plan, nor has the City submitted any applications to the San Luis
Obispo County Local Agency Formation Commission in connection with the 2045 General Plan;
and
WHEREAS, the Land Use Plan for the 2045 General Plan institutes “Placetypes” to
supplant Land Use districts and bring more clear direction and character defining elements to each
designation. While most of the Placetypes reflect existing and long-established development types
such as Rural Residential, Commercial and Industrial, three new Placetypes are established as part
of this General Plan: High Density Multi-Family, Mixed Use, and Innovation; and
WHEREAS, the City is the lead agency for the 2045 General Plan and corresponding
Zoning Code Update project pursuant to the California Environmental Quality Act ("CEQA"); and
WHEREAS, the City has completed the 2045 General Plan and corresponding Zoning
Code Update and analyzed potential environmental impacts in compliance with CEQA; and
WHEREAS, on July 16, 2024, the City filed a Notice of Preparation (“NOP”) with the
State Office of Land Use and Climate Innovation (“LCI”) to determine the scope of environmental
review for the 2045 General Plan and Zoning Code Update. The City circulated the NOP to the
relevant state and local public agencies, as well as to interested organization and members of the
public between July 16, 2024 and August 14, 2024. On July 24, 2024, the City conducted a scoping
meeting to receive public comments on the scope and content of the environmental impact report;
and
WHEREAS, pursuant to CEQA, the City prepared a Draft Environmental Impact Report
(“Draft EIR”) (SCH No. 2024070598) for the 2045 General Plan and corresponding Zoning Code
Update; and
WHEREAS, on April 15, 2026, the City filed a Notice of Completion (“NOC”) informing
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LCI that the City had completed the Draft EIR, and recommending distribution of the Draft EIR
to certain state agencies for review; and
WHEREAS, the City distributed and published a Notice of Availability for the Draft EIR
to all interested groups, organizations and individuals on April 20, 2026 to solicit public comment
on the Draft EIR; and
WHEREAS, the Draft EIR was available for public review, inspection and comment at
City Hall, located at 6500 Palma Avenue, Atascadero, CA 93422, the Atascadero Public Library
located at 6555 Capistrano Avenue, Atascadero, CA 93422, and the City of Atascadero’s website
for the 2045 General Plan (www.Atascadero2045.org) for forty-five (45) days, between April 20,
2026 and June 4, 2026; and
WHEREAS, the City received a total of three (3) comments, comment letters, and emails
relating to the 2045 General Plan and Zoning Code Update Draft EIR during the public review
period; and
WHEREAS, in compliance with CEQA Guidelines Section 15088, the City evaluated and
responded to each of the comments received on the Draft EIR; and
WHEREAS, the City has prepared the Final Environmental Impact Report (“Final EIR”)
for the 2045 General Plan, which incorporates the Draft EIR, the City’s written responses to
comments received on the Draft EIR, and revisions to the Draft EIR; and
WHEREAS, none of the comments on the Draft EIR or any of the revisions to the Draft
EIR presented any new significant environmental impacts or otherwise constituted significant new
information requiring recirculation of the Draft EIR pursuant to CEQA Guidelines Section
15088.5; and
WHEREAS, the Final EIR was made available to the public and to all commenting
agencies on August 12, 2026, which was at least 10 days prior to its certification, in compliance
with Public Resources Code Section 21092.5(a); and
WHEREAS, pursuant to CEQA Guidelines Section 15090, the lead agency shall certify
that the Final EIR was prepared in compliance with CEQA, the lead agency’s decision-making
body reviewed and considered the Final EIR prior to approving the project, and the Final EIR
reflects the lead agency’s independent judgment and analysis; and
WHEREAS, pursuant to CEQA Guidelines Section 15091, the City has prepared findings
of fact regarding significant adverse environmental impacts that may result from approval and
implementation of the 2045 General Plan and Zoning Code Update (“CEQA Findings”); and
WHEREAS, pursuant to CEQA Guidelines Sections 15091 and 15093, the City has
prepared a Statement of Overriding Considerations for environmental impacts that are expected to
remain significant and unavoidable; and
WHEREAS, pursuant to CEQA Guidelines Sections 15091 and 15097, the City has
prepared a Mitigation Monitoring and Reporting Program (“MMRP”) for mitigation measures
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imposed to avoid or mitigate significant environmental impacts; and
WHEREAS, under State law and the Atascadero Municipal Code, the Atascadero
Planning Commission ("Planning Commission") is charged with reviewing updates and
amendments to the City's General Plan, and making recommendations to the City Council; and
WHEREAS, following notice duly provided as required by law, the Planning Commission
held a public hearing on August 18, 2026 at which all interested parties were given an opportunity
to comment on the 2045 General Plan, Final EIR, CEQA Findings of Fact, Statement of Overriding
Considerations, and MMRP prior to the Planning Commission's recommendation to the Solvang
City Council; and
WHEREAS, during such duly noticed public hearing on August 18, 2026, the Planning
Commission considered the 2045 General Plan, Final EIR, CEQA Findings of Fact, Statement of
Overriding Considerations, and MMRP, all written and oral reports of City staff, and all comments
by interested parties on the matter as reflected in the record prior to the Planning Commission’s
recommendation to the Atascadero City Council; and
WHEREAS, after such duly noticed public hearing, the Planning Commission
recommended the City Council certify the Final EIR and adopt the CEQA Findings, Statement of
Overriding Considerations and the MMRP and adopt the 2045 General Plan; and
WHEREAS, the 2045 General Plan and corresponding environmental review documents
are now before the City Council for consideration, certification, and adoption; and
WHEREAS, the City Council has reviewed the Final EIR, the CEQA Findings of Fact and
the Statement of Overriding Considerations, and the MMRP; and
WHEREAS, following notice duly provided as required by law, the City Council held a
public hearing on September 22, 2026 at which all interested parties were given an opportunity to
comment on the 2045 General Plan, Final EIR, CEQA Findings of Fact, Statement of Overriding
Considerations, and MMRP prior to the City Council’s decision on the 2045 General Plan; and
WHEREAS, during such duly noticed public hearing on September 22, 2026, the City
Council considered the 2045 General Plan, Final EIR, CEQA Findings of Fact, Statement of
Overriding Considerations, and MMRP, the Planning Commission’s recommendation, all written
and oral reports of City staff, and all comments by interested parties on the matter, as reflected in
the record, prior to the prior to the City Council’s decision on the 2045 General Plan.
NOW, THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED, by the City Council of the City of Atascadero:
SECTION 1. The Recitals set forth above are true and correct and are incorporated herein
and adopted as findings in support of this Resolution.
SECTION 2. The City Council hereby finds and certifies that:
1. Agencies and interested members of the public have been afforded ample notice and
opportunity to comment on the Final EIR, which incorporates the Draft EIR and is
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incorporated hereto as Exhibit A.
2. The 2045 General Plan has been environmentally reviewed pursuant to the provisions of
CEQA and the CEQA Guidelines and the Final EIR, which incorporates the Draft EIR,
was prepared in compliance with CEQA.
3. The City Council has independently reviewed and considered the Final EIR, which
incorporates the Draft EIR, prior to making its decision on the 2045 General Plan
consistent with CEQA Guidelines Section 15090.
4. The Final EIR, which incorporates the Draft EIR, represents the City Council’s
independent judgment and analysis.
5. The MMRP for the Project was developed in order to mitigate or avoid significant effects
on the environment, and further, the City Council commits the MMRP will be adopted
and made enforceable by the City Council’s approval of the 2045 General Plan and
corresponding Zoning Code Update.
6. As analyzed and determined in the Final EIR and as shown in the CEQA Findings of Fact
and Statement of Overriding Considerations, the City has substantially lessened all
significant effects where feasible and the remaining effects are unavoidable and
determined to be acceptable due to overriding considerations pursuant to CEQA
Guidelines Sections 15091 and 15093.
7. Location and Custodian of Documents. The record of the City of Atascadero 2045
General Plan project approval and Final EIR shall be kept at Atascadero City Hall, 6500
Palma Ave., Atascadero, CA 93422.
SECTION 3. Based upon all of the foregoing, pursuant to CEQA the City Council hereby
adopts:
1. The CEQA Findings of Fact attached hereto as Exhibit B, and incorporated herein by this
reference pursuant to CEQA Guidelines Section 15091; and
2. The Statement of Overriding Considerations, attached hereto as Exhibit C, and
incorporated herein by this reference pursuant to CEQA Guidelines Section 15093; and
3. The MMRP, attached hereto as Exhibit D, and incorporated herein by this reference
pursuant to CEQA Guidelines Section 15091(d).
SECTION 4. Based upon all the foregoing, the City Council hereby certifies the Final EIR,
attached hereto as Exhibit A.
SECTION 5. This Resolution is effective immediately upon adoption.
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PASSED AND ADOPTED at a regular meeting of the City Council held on the 22nd day of
September, 2026.
On motion by Council Member Funk and seconded by Mayor Pro Tem Dariz the foregoing
Resolution is hereby adopted in its entirety on the following roll call vote:
AYES: Council Member Funk, Mayor Pro Tem Dariz, Mayor Bourbeau
NOES: None
ABSENT: None
ABSTAIN: Council Member Newsom, Peek
CITY OF ATASCADERO:
______________________
Charles Bourbeau, Mayor
ATTEST:
_______________________
Lara K. Henderson, City Clerk
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