§ 18.04

As used in this title, the following words and phrases shall have the meanings set forth in this section:

A.

"California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA)" means California Public Resources Code Sections 21000 through 21174.

B.

"Environment" means the physical conditions which exist in the area which will be affected by a proposed project including land, air, water, minerals, flora, fauna, ambient noise, objects of historic or aesthetic significance.

C.

"Environmental impact report (EIR)" means a detailed statement setting forth the environmental effects and considerations pertaining to a project as specified in Section 21100 of the California Environmental Quality Act.

D.

"Environmental questionnaire" means a document to be completed by the applicant for a project in order to assist the planning officer in making an initial study of the environmental impact of the project.

E.

"Environmental review commission" means three or more persons designated by the city council who shall evaluate projects, impacts and reports, and take other actions relative to environmental reviews as instructed by the city council.

F.

"Preliminary determination" means a determination made by the planning officer to determine if the project, as defined in the state guidelines, is:

1.

Categorically exempt;

2.

Ministerial;

3.

An emergency;

4.

Discretionary.

G.

"Project" means the whole of an action, resulting in physical impact on the environment, directly or ultimately, that is any of the following:

1.

An activity directly undertaken by the city or public agency, including but not limited to public works construction and related activities, clearing or grading of land, improvements to existing public structures, enactment and amendment of zoning ordinances, and the adoption of the local general plans or elements thereof;

2.

An activity undertaken by a person which is sup-ported in whole or in part through city contracts, grants, subsidies, loans, or other forms of assistance from the city or other public agency;

3.

An activity involving the issuance to a person of a lease, permit, license, certificate, or other entitlement for use by the city.

H.

"Significant effect" means a substantial adverse impact on the environment.

(Ord. 436 §1, 1985; Ord. 285 §1, 1973).

The city council shall adopt, by resolution, guidelines for the evaluation of projects and for the preparation and processing of Environmental Impact Reports. These guidelines shall establish rules and standards for determination of significant effect and for determination of the necessity for environmental review of individual projects.

(Ord. 285 §3, 1973).

Nothing in this title shall preclude the city from taking such other action in respect to the approval, conditional approval, or denial of projects as is deemed necessary by the city council to obtain full compliance with the requirements of the California Environ-mental Quality Act of 1970.

(Ord. 285 §7, 1973).

Fees for the preparation, processing, or reproduction of any document pursuant hereto shall be specified by resolution of the council.

(Ord. 436 §2, 1985).