TO: Board of Supervisors
FROM: Brian D. Bordona - Director of Planning, Building and Environmental Services Department
REPORT BY: Sean Trippi - Supervising Planner
SUBJECT: Ascent Environmental, Inc. Agreement
RECOMMENDATION
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Approve and authorize Agreement No. 250326B with Ascent Environmental, Inc. to conduct an Environmental Impact Report, in accordance with the California Environmental Quality Act, for the proposed Napa Valley Logistics Center project (No Fiscal Impact; Discretionary).
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BACKGROUND
On November 18, 2022, Barrel Ten Quarter Circle Land Company (“Applicant”), filed a Use Permit Application (P22-00392-UP) to construct two light industrial buildings totaling approximately 984,524 sf on 11 parcels totaling approximately 63.23 acres. The Applicant also submitted a tentative map (P24-00048-TM) on February 27, 2024, to create two lots of approximately 40.88 and 22.35 acres to accommodate the proposed development. The project site is located between Highway 29 and Devlin Road, north of Fagan Creek within in the boundaries of the Napa Valley Business Park Specific Plan in unincorporated Napa County, California. (Assessor’s Parcel No. 057-240-019, -020, -021, -022, -023, -024, -025, -026, -027, & -029)
After submittal of the development applications, the Applicant, in consultation with staff, elected to have an Environmental Impact Report (“EIR”) prepared for the proposed project. Approval of this Agreement will allow the County to retain Ascent Environmental, Inc. (“Ascent”), an environmental consulting firm, for purposes of assisting the County in preparing the EIR that will identify potential effects on the environment that could occur as a result of the project. In accordance with County policy, the Applicant will be responsible for funding the full contract amount plus costs related to staff management of the consultant. The Applicant will be required to submit a deposit in the amount of 20-percent of the contract dollar amount prior to Ascent commencing preparation of the EIR.
The EIR process will include the drafting of a CEQA initial study, the distribution of a Notice of Preparation (NOP) to nearby property owners, responsible agencies, and interested parties, and a publicly held scoping meeting. Release of the NOP is anticipated to occur in the Spring of this year.
Requested Action:
Approve and authorize Agreement No. 2250326B with Ascent Environmental, Inc. for a maximum of $366,057 (including optional tasks) for the term February 25, 2025 through June 30, 2026, with an automatic rollover at the end of each fiscal year for up to two (2) additional one-year terms, for purposes of conducting an environmental impact report (EIR), in accordance with the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA), of the proposed Napa Valley Logistics Center project.
FISCAL & STRATEGIC PLAN IMPACT
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Is there a Fiscal Impact? |
Yes |
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Is it currently budgeted? |
No |
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Where is it budgeted? |
17000-02, Applicant CEQA Reviews, includes appropriations based on average expenditures for consulting services over the year. Any requested adjustments due to a higher-than-average need for consulting services would be brought before the Board of Supervisors for authorization. The Applicant pays for the full cost of the contract, plus County staff costs associated with consultant management, in accordance with Section 104(c) of Napa County’s Local Procedures for Implementing CEQA. |
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Is it Mandatory or Discretionary? |
Discretionary |
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Discretionary Justification: |
The agreement to conduct an EIR is needed in order to conduct the required analysis of the proposed project in accordance with CEQA. An EIR conducted by an independent third party will allow County decision-makers to make a fully informed decision about the possible environmental consequences of the proposed project. |
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Is the general fund affected? |
Yes |
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Future fiscal impact: |
Depending on the extent of public comment received during the Draft EIR comment period and project public hearings, administration of the Agreement could extend into future fiscal years, with potential automatic extensions through June 30, 2027. In the event that the agreement extends into future fiscal years, revenue and expenditures would be budgeted accordingly. Consultant and consultant management costs would continue to be the responsibility of the Applicant to fund. |
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Consequences if not approved: |
The EIR will inform County decision-makers about the proposed project’s potential effects on the environment. If the Agreement is not approved, the County would be unable to conduct the required analysis of the proposed project in accordance with CEQA, and County decision-makers would be unable to make a fully informed decision about the possible environmental consequences of their action to approve or to deny the requested use permit. |
ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT
ENVIRONMENTAL DETERMINATION: ENVIRONMENTAL DETERMINATION: The proposed action is not a project as defined by 14 California Code of Regulations 15378 (State CEQA Guidelines), and therefore, CEQA is not applicable.