REPORT TO THE CITY COUNCIL FROM: JENNIFER CLARK, Director Planning and Development Department THROUGH: SOPHIA PAGOULATOS, Planning Manager Planning and Development Department BY: CASEY LAUDERDALE, Supervising Planner Planning and Development Department SUBJECT ..Title Actions pertaining to the West Area Neighborhoods Specific Plan: 1. Approve a consultant services amendment with De Novo Planning Group, for professional environmental analysis services related to the West Area Neighborhoods Specific Plan in the amount of $214,353.70. ..Body RECOMMENDATION Staff recommends approval of a third amendment to a consultant services agreement with De Novo Planning Group for professional environmental analysis services related to the West Area Neighborhoods Specific Plan (WANSP). EXECUTIVE SUMMARY The Planned Land Use Map for the WANSP has been re-initiated following community outreach and must now undergo environmental analysis to allow the WANSP to be considered for adoption. The City Council first voted to enter a contract with De Novo Planning Group for environmental analysis services on April 4, 2019, and has voted affirmatively on two amendments in successive years. A third amendment in the amount of $214,353.70 is needed to complete the revised environmental impact report (EIR). BACKGROUND On June 27, 2019, the City Council of the City of Fresno adopted Resolution 2019-140 to formally initiate the West Area Neighborhoods Specific Plan. In the following years, staff has held meetings with the community and Steering Committee to shape the development of the Specific Plan document and to hear and consider change requests to the Planned Land Use Map. Prior to the scheduled October 13, 2022, City Council hearing, staff received direction to make modifications to the Planned Land Use Map to increase housing capacity. Staff made proposed changes to the Planned Land Use Map that a) upheld the transect model of urban growth - a core component of the Specific Plan and b) increased housing capacity such that the new map would have no net loss of housing capacity from the current General Plan. After additional community outreach, the map was re-initiated on April 25, 2023, and provided to De Novo for evaluation. Due to the extent of changes and technical analysis needed, the timeline for completion of the EIR is estimated to occur in the fall of 2024. Staff recommends approval of the third amendment in the amount of $214,353.70 to complete the revised EIR for the WANSP. ENVIRONMENTAL FINDINGS This is not a project pursuant to CEQA guidelines Section 15378. LOCAL PREFERENCE This is an amendment to a previously awarded contract. FISCAL IMPACT Available funds apportioned from the Local Early Action Planning grant and General Funds are to be used. ATTACHMENT: Consultant Services Agreement - Third Amendment