§ 16.12.420. Initial study.

A.

The planning division shall conduct an initial study based on available information and any special analysis or study necessary to fully evaluate impacts. All phases of project planning, implementation, and operation must be considered in the initial study of the project. The initial study will determine if the project may have a significant effect on the environment.

B.

If the initial study shows that there is no substantial evidence that the project may have a significant environmental effect, a negative declaration shall be prepared. If the project would cause significant environmental effects, but mitigation measures are available to reduce impacts to a less than significant level, a mitigated negative declaration shall be prepared. If the initial study shows that the project would cause significant environmental effects that cannot be reduced to a less than significant level with mitigation, an environmental impact report ("EIR") shall be prepared.

C.

The initial study questions attached to the state CEQA guidelines as an appendix shall be the initial study used by the lead agency.

(Ord. 2011-04, § 3(Exh. A), 5-3-11)