NORTHWEST SPECIFIC PLAN/FARIA PRESERVE COMMUNITY NOTICE OF AVAILABILITY OF A DRAFT ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT REPORT AND NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARING 

TO: Interested Agencies and Parties

FROM: City of San Ramon, Planning Division

2222 Camino Ramon
San Ramon, CA 94583

SUBJECT: Draft Environmental Impact Report

Project Title: Northwest Specific Plan and Faria Preserve Community (State Clearinghouse No.2003022102)

The Draft Environmental Impact Report (DEIR) for the Northwest Specific Plan (NWSP) and Faria Preserve Community is available for review. The NWSP provides the vision for creating a balanced community composed of public facilities, open space, and residential neighborhoods within an overall 354-acre planning area. It provides guidance for the development of up to 830 single and multiple-family residential units emphasizing affordable housing opportunities, accommodation of important public facilities, and preservation of open space amenities. The NWSP integrates open space, public trails, and wildlife habitat enhancement amenities with the development of a community park, a house of worship, an educational use facility, and five residential neighborhoods with densities ranging from 1.5 units per acre, to just over 40 units per acre. Overall, the NWSP furthers a wide range of General Plan policies, including preserving at least 75% of the site area for public amenities and open space uses. The Faria Preserve Community is a combination of community facilities, 786 residential units, and substantial protected open spaces proposed within the Northwest Specific Plan Area. The Faria Preserve Community comprises the majority of the Northwest Specific Plan Area and implements the various amenities, objectives, and goals set forth in the NWSP, including those identified above.

Implementation of the NWSP and development of the Faria Preserve Community have the potential to generate environmental impacts in a number of areas. Impacts for the following topics would be significant without implementation of mitigation measures, but would be reduced to a less-than-significant level if the mitigation measures noted in this DEIR are implemented: Air Quality; Biological Resources; Cultural Resources; Geology/ Soils; Hazards and Hazardous Materials; Hydrology and Water Quality; Noise; Traffic and Circulation; and Utilities/Service Systems. The proposed project would result in significant and unavoidable impacts to Air Quality.

This document is being sent to you because you commented on the Notice of Preparation, expressed an interest in the project, or because you have been identified by the Planning Division as having an interest in this project. The Notice of Availability of this document has been sent to all known interested parties and commission members.

The City of San Ramon is the Lead Agency, and additional copies of the DEIR can be requested from the City of San Ramon Planning Division. The DEIR is available for public review by clicking here. Public copies of the DEIR and documents on which the DEIR is based are available for review at the City of San Ramon Planning Division during regular businesses hours (Monday through Friday 8:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.), at the address above. Additional public copies of the DEIR are also on file at the Senior Center, the Community Center, the City Clerk and the Public Library.

Written comments on the Draft EIR should be sent to the address above, to the attention of Debbie Chamberlain, Planning Services Manager. Due to the time limits mandated by State law, your comments must be sent at the earliest possible date but not later than September 7, 2006.

A public hearing before the Planning Commission on the Draft EIR is scheduled for September 5, 2006, at 7:00 p.m., in the City Council Chamber, 2222 Camino Ramon, San Ramon, California, 94583.

Date: July 21, 2006

Signature Debbie Chamberlain

Title: Planning Services Manager

Telephone: (925) 973-2566

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