Specific Plan Initiation
On April 19, 1995, the Board of Supervisors adopted Resolution No. 95-0440, initiating the Mather Field Specific Plan. As part of this action, the Board of Supervisors endorsed the contents of the Mather Field Specific Plan guidance package, including the work program, budget and estimated time schedule.
Citizens Advisory Committee Process
The 17 member Mather Committee on Redevelopment was appointed by the Board of Supervisors to act as the Citizens Advisory Committee (CAC) for the preparation of the Mather Specific Plan. A subcommittee of the Mather Committee on Redevelopment was formed to specifically work closely with planning staff on preparation of the draft Specific Plan text. This subcommittee of 7 members first met in June 1995. Planning staff continued to meet regularly with the subcommittee up to the preparation of the Public Review Draft. The subcommittee reviewed preliminary versions of the Specific Plan chapters and worked extensively with staff on preparation of the design guidelines and development standards. The Public Review Draft of the Specific Plan was presented to the full Mather Committee on Redevelopment prior to the workshop on the Specific Plan at the Board of Supervisors in July 1996.
Board of Supervisors Workshop
A workshop on the Specific Plan was held at the Board of Supervisors in April 1996 to provide the Board of Supervisors the opportunity to review the Draft Plan prior to the preparation of environmental documentation. At the workshop, the Board directed Planning staff to submit the project to the Department of Environmental Review and Assessment for preparation of environmental documentation; and to prepare an interim urgency ordinance revising the adopted Special Planning Area zone to facilitate the review and approval of projects at Mather Field prior to adoption of the Specific Plan. The Board subsequently adopted the interim ordinance.
Technical Studies & Preparation of Environmental Impact Report
A Draft Subsequent Environmental Impact Report (Draft SEIR) was prepared for the Mather Specific Plan project which addressed impacts associated with land use, public services, traffic, air quality, noise, hydrology, biologic resources, aggregate resources, cultural resources, and hazardous materials. The Draft SEIR identified project impacts, recommended mitigation measures and addressed potential alternatives. The Draft SEIR was released September 6, 1996 for public review and comment.
Public Hearing Process
A workshop the Mather Specific Plan was conducted before the Policy Planning on October 10, 1996. Public hearing on the Mather Specific Plan was conducted soon after, on October 23, 1996. During this hearing, the Policy Commission took action on the proposed Specific Plan and forwarded the project to the Board of Supervisors. In addition, the Commission directed County staff to respond to comments (both written and oral testimony) received on the Draft SEIR and to prepare the Final SEIR for the project.
A Final SEIR was prepared in compliance with CEQA, which includes comments on, and responses to, input received during the public review period. The Final SEIR was distributed on February 7, 1997.
The Board of Supervisors heard the Project at regular meetings of the Board on February 19 and 26 and March 19 and 26, 1997. At their regular meeting of March 19, 1997, the Board considered the Project and took the following actions on the Project on a unanimous vote: certified the Final SEIR; approved an override of the Mather Air Force Base Comprehensive Land Use Plan (CLUP); and tentatively approved the General Plan Amendment. The Board of Supervisors adopted the General Plan amendment components of the Mather Field Specific Plan on April 2, 1997. On May 7, 1997, the Board adopted a Community Plan Amendment for Mather Field, and a Specific Plan, including text, policies, permitted uses, development standards and design guidelines.
