Background
In the past decade, Stockton and the nearby communities of Tracy, Manteca, and Lodi have experienced significant and rapid population increases, largely due to people relocating to the area from the San Francisco Bay Area. The county is projected to have 1.7 million residents by 2050, a 201 percent increase from 2000. The court previously shared a building in downtown Stockton with the county. The facility in Stockton, constructed in 1963, lacked adequate security, was overcrowded, and was in very poor physical condition.
The new courthouse houses 30 courtrooms in a 12-story building. In September 2009, culminating years of effort by the Court, City, County, local community, and the Judicial Council staff, the state Public Works Board approved the acquisition of a site in downtown Stockton: Hunter Square Plaza, adjacent to the previous courthouse at 222 East Weber Avenue. The site was donated by the City of Stockton.
Timeline
July 21, 2008 to August 20, 2008: Notice of Preparation and Initial Study circulated.
July 30, 2008: Public scoping meeting held.
January 23, 2009 to March 9, 2009: Draft EIR circulated.
February 19, 2009: Public meeting held.
May 7, 2009 to June 22, 2009: Revised Draft EIR circulated.
After receiving public comments on both documents, the council staff completed a Final Environmental Impact Report (4.3 MB)
Public Comments Part 1 (3.7 MB)
Public Comments Part 2 (3.5 MB)
Appendices A-G (4.1 MB)
Appendix H (4.2 MB)
The Final Initial Study includes stakeholder comments, council staff responses to comments, changes to the environmental impact report, and other information.
On August 10, 2009, council staff filed a Notice of Determination, completing the CEQA process.
CEQA
Judicial Council staff are responsible for the environmental impact report (EIR) to comply with CEQA.
