RECOMMENDATION(S): (CONT'D)
CERTIFY the Final Environmental Impact Report for the West County Detention Center Expansion Project pursuant to Section 15090 of the CEQA Guidelines, and ADOPT the Mitigation and Monitoring Reporting Plan contained therein; and
ADOPT the CEQA Findings (Exhibit A) pursuant to Section 15091 of the CEQA Guidelines; and
DIRECT the Director of Conservation and Development to file a Notice of Determination with the County Clerk; and
AUTHORIZE the Public Works Director to arrange for payment of $3,069.75 for California Department of Fish and Wildlife fees, a $50 fee to the County Clerk for filing the Notice of Determination, and a $25 fee to the Department of Conservation and Development for processing.
FISCAL IMPACT:
Fees totaling $3,144.75, will be funded by the General Fund.
BACKGROUND:
The County Public Works Department is working with the Sheriff-Coroner to expand the West County Detention Facility (WCDF) as envisioned during the original planning for the facility.
The proposed project entails the development of approximately 2.3 acres within the existing WCDF for a high-security detention facility with supporting re-entry program facilities, and a mental health treatment facility. The new facility would provide high-security housing, educational and vocational facilities, and programs to help prepare inmates for re-entry into society.
The proposed project would result in essentially no increase of California Department of Corrections rated beds in the County. The 240 cells at the Martinez Detention Facility (MDF) that do not meet security and safety requirements would be repurposed for short-term housing of inmates for purposes of in-processing and release. The MDF would continue to be the booking facility for law enforcement agencies in the central and eastern areas of the County.
If approved, the proposed project consists of construction of a new 150,000 square foot building containing approximately 240 double-occupancy cells (480 beds), a mental health treatment facility, and educational and vocational program facilities along with facilities to support outpatient medical services, recreational activities, and minor administrative functions of the existing WCDF. In addition, a small, single story, equipment or generator building would be located adjacent to the main building.
Intake, release, inpatient health care, central library services, food service, laundry, commissary, and maintenance/warehouse storage will continue to be provided in existing buildings and using existing infrastructure on the WCDF site.
In order to proceed with the proposed project, the applicant must obtain approval from the Board of Supervisors, the State Department of Corrections and the Bay Area Air Quality Management District. Additionally, the State Water Resources Control Board (Water Board) will require a Construction General Permit for management of storm water during construction activities, and the San Francisco Regional Water Board will require a National Pollutant Discharge Elimination (NPDES) storm water permit.
The Environmental Impact Report identifies potentially significant environmental impacts in the following areas:
- Air Quality
- Cultural
- Public Services and Utilities
Potentially significant impacts can be mitigated to less-than-significant levels.
Zoning Administrator Hearing July 20, 2015
The Zoning Administrator (ZA) held a hearing on July 20, 2015 to consider the proposed project. After evaluating the project in its entirety, including all public comment and evidence in the record, the Administrator made the recommendation to the Board of Supervisors to certify the Environmental Impact Report.
CONSEQUENCE OF NEGATIVE ACTION:
Delay in approving the project may jeopardize funding under Senate Bill 863.
CLERK'S ADDENDUM
Speakers: Terrance Cheung, Richmond Mayor's Office; Rick Alcaraz; Lee Lawrence, Contra Costa Interfaith Supporting Community Organization (CCISCO). Eleanor Clarke, CCISCO, did not wish to speak but left written comments for the Board's consideration (attached).
The Public Works Director noted that the recommendation to "DIRECT the Director of Conservation and Development to file a Notice of Determination with the County Clerk" cannot be completed until the project is approved.
The Board removed the direction to file a notice of completion and adopted all other recommendations