The proposed Alhambra Highlands Residential Project (2008) site consists of 297.5 acres of undeveloped land along the plateau, crest, and side-slopes of a ridge in the southernmost part of the City. The project site is generally bounded by Alhambra Avenue to the north and east, Alhambra Valley Road to the west, Reliez Valley Road to the southwest, and Skyline Drive to the south. The project site is primarily non-native annual grassland, with scattered oak woodlands, scrub habitat, and wetlands. Portions of the properties around the project site are undeveloped. Properties to the north, south, and west of the project site are zoned residential (R-7.5 and R-10). Properties to the east and southeast are zoned residential (R-7.5 and R-20) and open space (OS). The proposal includes 112 single-family residential lots (40.8 acres) ranging in size from 7,900 square feet to 16,000 square feet. Within the 297.5-acre site, a total of 214.33 acres would be maintained as open space.
The environmental analysis of the proposed project consisted of a number of steps and followed the requirements of the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA). The first step in the CEQA process was the release of the Initial Study to the public followed by the Subsequent Environmental Impact Report (SEIR) scoping session held with the Planning Commission. The scoping session took place March 9, 2010, the purpose of which was to get feedback and input from the public regarding their concerns and issues related to the proposed project. All of this feedback and input was considered as part of the environmental analysis.
After the scoping session, staff, with the assistance of various consultants with specializations in environmental review, worked on compiling the Draft SEIR. The Draft was released on October 21, 2010. The Planning Commission received public comments on the Draft at a meeting on November 18, 2010. The public review period for the Draft ended December 6, 2010. All of the comments received during the review period were responded to and together with the Draft SEIR constitute the Final SEIR. Copies of the Final SEIR are available for review Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 12:00 noon and 1:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m., at Martinez City Hall in the Community & Economic Development Department except on specified holidays.
The City’s Design Review Committee (DRC) met July 28, 2010 to review the draft design guidelines for the proposed project. At that meeting the DRC received input from the public, asked questions of staff and the applicant’s design team, and requested that revisions be made to the draft document. They recommended that the Planning Commission adopt the draft document as revised. This recommendation was taken to the Commission along with the other required project approvals.
The Planning Commission reviewed the Final SEIR and the required project approvals at its meeting of March 22, 2011. At that meeting the Commission reviewed the staff report and attachments, took public testimony, deliberated the proposed project’s merits, and directed staff to prepare draft resolutions to be presented to them at the next meeting for their consideration. At that meeting, held April 12, 2011, the Commission reviewed the draft resolutions presented, took public testimony, and based on the record as a whole, voted to approve the project.
Subsequently, the project’s approval was appealed to the City Council. The public hearing regarding the proposed project and the appeals is scheduled for the Council meeting July 6, 2011 at 7 p.m. at City Hall, 525 Henrietta St. The public is encouraged to attend and speak about the proposed project.
If you have questions about the proposed project or would like more information you can contact the City’s Planning Manager, Terry Blount, AICP. He can be reached at 925.372.3534 or via email at tblount@cityofmartinez.org.
Planning Commission Staff Report 3/9/10 - CEQA Scoping Session
Initial Study - February 17, 2010
Appendix A
Appendix B
Appendix C
Appendix D
Subdivision Map (Proposed)
Design Review Committee Staff Report 7/28/10
Alhambra Highlands - Draft Development Guidelines & Design Criteria - July 9, 2010
Notice of Availability - October 21, 2010
Alhambra Highlands - Draft Subsequent EIR Volume 1 - October 21, 2010
Alhambra Highlands - Draft Subsequent EIR Volume 2 - Appendicies A-B
Draft Subsequent EIR Volume 2 - Appendix C
Draft Subsequent EIR Volume 2 - Appendix D - Part 1
Draft Subsequent EIR Volume 2 - Appendix D - Part 2
Draft Subsequent EIR Volume 2 - Appendix D - Part 3
Draft Subsequent EIR Volume 2 - Appendix E
Alhambra Highlands - Planning Commission Staff Report - November 18, 2010
Alhambra Highlands - Draft Subsequent EIR - Response to Comments
Planning Commission Staff Report - March 22, 2011
Alhambra Highlands - Draft Conditions of Approval
Alhambra Highlands - Mitigation Monitorning Plan Table
Development Guidelines & Design Criteria 02-18-11
Attachments for the Alhambra Highlands Project can be viewed at City Hall during normal business hours (8:00am - 5:00 pm closed 12pm-1pm for lunch)
