Laserfiche WebLink
an EIR supporting the Specific Plan. Amendment Number 1 was for $316,860 for a <br />combined total of $376,855, inclusive of the initial contract. Amendment Number 2, <br />approved by City Council on June 22, 2015 and executed by staff on July 15, 2015 <br />extended the scope to include additional environmental analysis related to traffic and <br />transportation, utilities, sea-level rise, and an expanded analysis of project alternatives, <br />including an alternative focused on the proposed Harbor View Place project. These <br />analyses were not previously anticipated in the original agreement or prior <br />amendments. Amendment Number 2 was for $135,480 for a combined total of <br />$512,335, inclusive of the initial contract and Amendment Number 1. ESA completed <br />these tasks, and the City released the Inner Harbor Specific Plan Draft Environmental <br />Impact Report (Draft EIR) in October 2015 for a 130-day public review period that <br />concluded on March 4, 2016. <br /> <br />The 130-day public review period provided additional time for the public to review the <br />complex and lengthy Draft EIR. A typical Draft EIR review period lasts between 45 and <br />60days. This review period resulted in substantial comment from local and state <br />agencies, local organizations, and members of the public. The City received <br />approximately 40 comment letters containing hundreds of comments. Per the <br />requirements of the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) the City is to prepare <br />a Final Environmental Impact Report (Final EIR) that includes responses to these <br />comments, as well as any additional analyses to support the information contained in <br />the Draft EIR, as well as minor corrections and document edits. Due to the number of <br />comments, supplementary technical studies requested, additional public input <br />opportunities and the inclusion of a project level alternative (Harbor View Place) within <br />the Draft EIR, additional funds are necessary. As noted below, although the amount is <br />included in the overall contract, the Harbor View Place applicant will reimburse the City <br />for the environmental review work associated with their project. <br /> <br /> <br />ANALYSIS <br /> <br />As noted above, the extended, 130-day Draft EIR review period provided an additional <br />opportunity for public engagement and comment. On March 4, 2016 City staff, with <br />cooperation from the Peninsula Conflict Resolution Center, conducted an open house <br />workshop for the public to discuss various impacts discussed in the Inner Harbor <br />Specific Plan Draft EIR and accept comments. In addition to staff, members of the ESA <br />consultant team were present to answer technical questions. At the conclusion of the <br />workshop, the Planning Commission opened a public meeting to hear a project <br />progress update from staff. The Planning Commission also accepted additional oral <br />comment from the public. The public review period ended on March 7, 2016. <br /> <br />The end of the public review period initiated the preparation of the Final EIR. During <br />March and April, ESA reviewed and organized the comments. On May 9, 2016, the City <br />Council held a study session for staff to provide an update on the Inner Harbor Specific <br />Plan and the Harbor View Place project, a private development proposed for a site <br />substantially within the Inner Harbor area. The Harbor View Place (HVP) project <br />6.1.C. - Page 2