§ 20-8. FINDINGS. [Ord. 340, S9]

• a. The director shall review the environmental assessment, together with any plans or attachments thereto, to determine whether the proposed activity constitutes a discretionary project which may have a significant effect on the environment. As an aid in making such determination, the director may solicit the advice and recommendations of any city department and other public agency that could be affected by the proposed activity, and of private persons or organizations which may have an interest in the environmental impact of the proposed activity. The director shall also be guided by the purposes, policies, rules, regulations, and standards set forth in the CEQA, the Guidelines, this chapter, and the adopted plans and policies of the city.

• b. The director shall, within 10 days following his receipt of the environmental assessment, mail or otherwise provide to the applicant one of the following:

  1. A written finding that no Environmental Impact Report (EIR) is required because:

     • (a) The proposed activity does not constitute a project;

     • (b) The proposed project is ministerial;

     • (c) The proposed project will not have a significant effect on the environment;

     • (d) The proposed project constitutes an emergency;

     • (e) The proposed project is within the categorical exemptions contained in Division 6 of the Guidelines.

     • (f) The proposed project is part of a phased project or a group of projects for which an EIR

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City of Firebaugh, CA § 20-8

FIREBAUGH CODE

§ 20-11

has previously been submitted and approved in accordance with this chapter and there are no substantial changes in the proposed project or the circumstances surrounding such project which involve new environmental impacts not considered in the original EIR; or

• (g) The environmental effects of the proposed project are similar enough to warrant the same treatment as those addressed in another project for which an EIR has previously been submitted and approved in accordance with this chapter.

2. A written finding that an EIR is required, together with the reasons for such conclusion.

3. A written finding that the assessment is insufficient to enable him to determine whether an EIR shall be required, together with a list of the deficiencies in the assessment as submitted.