(a) A final EIR shall be prepared by, or at the direction of, the Environmental Review Officer, based upon the draft EIR, the consultations and comments received during the review process, and additional information that may become available. Not less than 10 days prior to the Planning Commission hearing to consider certification of the final EIR, the final EIR shall be made available to the public and to any board(s), commission(s) or department(s) that will carry out or approve the project.
(b) The final EIR shall include a list of agencies and persons consulted, the comments received, either verbatim or in summary, and a response to any comments that raise significant points concerning effects on the environment. The response to comments may take the form of revisions within the draft EIR, or by adding a separate section in the final EIR, or by providing an explanation in response to the comment.
(c) An administrative record of proceedings shall be kept of each case in which an EIR is prepared, including all comments received in writing in addition to a record of the public hearing. The final EIR shall indicate the location of such record. The Environmental Review Officer shall cause the hearing on the draft EIR to be recorded by a phonographic reporter and transcribed and retained as part of the administrative record. Any separate or additional transcription of a hearing record shall be at the expense of the person requesting such transcription.
(d) When the final EIR has been prepared and in the judgment of the Planning Commission it is adequate, accurate and objective, reflecting the independent judgment and analysis of the Planning Commission, the Planning Commission shall certify its completion in compliance with CEQA. The notice of the Planning Commission hearing on the certification of the final EIR shall inform the public of its appeal rights to the Board of Supervisors with respect to the final EIR within the time frame specified in Section 31.16 of this Chapter. The certification of completion shall contain a finding as to whether the project as proposed will, or will not, have a significant effect on the environment.
(e) After the City has decided to carry out or approve the project and the project is considered finally approved as provided for in Section 31.16(b)(11), in accordance with CEQA procedures and upon the payment of required fees by the project sponsor, the Environmental Review Officer shall file a notice of determination with the county clerk in the county or counties in which the project is to be located. If required by CEQA, the notice of determination shall also be filed with the California Office of Planning and Research. The Environmental Review Officer shall also post the notice of determination in the offices of the Planning Department and on the Planning Department website, and mail a copy to any organizations and individuals who previously have requested such notice in writing.
(Former Sec. 31.15 added by Ord. 134-73, App. 4/11/73; repealed by Ord. 40-01, File No. 001007, App. 3/16/2001)