Planning Division staff presented proposed updates to Ventura County’s Initial Study Assessment Guidelines (ISAGs) and the county's CEQA Implementation Manual at the Planning Commission meeting on July 31, seeking the commission's recommendation that the Board of Supervisors adopt a General Plan amendment and Addendum No. 3 to the General Plan EIR.

The proposed updates consolidate 60 issue areas into 25, align local checklists with the State CEQA Guidelines Appendix G, incorporate several General Plan mitigation measures as implementable policies, add new sections for energy and tribal cultural resources, and rename the county's Administrative Supplement to the CEQA Implementation Manual. Staff said the changes aim to make environmental review more consistent and efficient across county divisions.

"The updates include aligning the document more closely with the environmental checklist form in the state's CEQA guidelines," Jessica Nguyen, senior planner, told commissioners. Nguyen said the revisions were developed collaboratively with 12 county agencies and County Counsel.

The staff presentation summarized outreach and review: an initial briefing to 16 environmental consultants, an open house attended by 37 staff from 10 county agencies, tribal consultation with three tribes under AB 52 and SB 18, and a 30-day public review period. Staff reported receiving 17 public comments during review and one additional comment letter (from Nicole Garner) submitted during the hearing period; staff said they had incorporated many suggestions and would confirm receipt of Ms. Garner's letter for the record.

Staff recommended the commission adopt a resolution recommending that the Board of Supervisors approve the General Plan amendment and the addendum. Commissioners did not raise further questions after the presentation and a brief public comment period. Commissioner Cushing moved to approve the staff recommendation; Commissioner Boydston seconded. Secretary Luce recorded a roll call vote of four yeses and no abstentions. The motion carries 4-0.

Staff told the commission that the Board of Supervisors is the final decision-making authority for the ISAGs and the CEQA Implementation Manual; the Planning Commission's action forwards the commission's recommendation to the board. Planning staff identified the revisions as primarily clarifying and consolidating existing policies and mitigation measures; staff also said they had determined the ISAGs and Implementation Manual updates are categorically exempt from CEQA and prepared an addendum to the General Plan EIR for the General Plan Amendment.

The hearing packet cited updated supporting guidance for technical areas such as noise and vibration (Exhibit 3) and detailed redline revisions to General Plan policies and glossary terms (Exhibit 5). Nguyen and other planning staff, including Planning Director Dave Warren and Planning Manager Shelley Sussman (introduced during the ISAG presentation), were available for questions.

The Planning Commission's recommendation will be transmitted to the Board of Supervisors for final consideration.