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HomeMy WebLinkAbout03-ATTACHMENT AAttachment A RESOLUTION NO. 11-77 A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF TUSTIN ADOPTING THE NEGATIVE DECLARATION FOR CODE AMENDMENT 11-002 (ORDINANCE No. 1397) CLARIFYING THE MEANING OF LEGAL NONCONFORMING USES AND STRUCTURES IN THE CITY OF TUSTIN. The City Council of the City of Tustin does hereby resolve as follows: A. That Code Amendment 11-002 (Ordinance No. 1397) is aCity-initiated project to clarify the meaning of legal nonconforming uses and structures including but not limited to: - clarifying language wherever the term "nonconforming" is used in the Tustin City Code, including a new definition and clarifying that illegal structures or uses are a public nuisance that should be corrected in (Article 1 -Administration and Article 9 -Land Use); - clarifying that only lawfully established sexually oriented businesses are considered legal nonconforming (Article 3 -Business Regulations); - clarifying that only lawfully established newsracks are considered legal (Article 7 -Public Facilities); and, - clarifying that only lawfully established structures, uses, lots, wireless facilities, and signs are considered legal nonconforming (Article 9 -Land Use). . B. That Code Amendment 11-002 (Ordinance No. 1397) is considered a "project" by the California Environmental Quality Act ("CEQA") (Pub. Resources Code §21000 et. seq.); C. That an Initial Study has been prepared to evaluate the potential environmental impacts associated with the project that concluded that the project could not have a significant effect on the environment, and a Negative Declaration (ND) was prepared; D. That a Notice of Intent to Adopt a Negative Declaration was published and the Negative Declaration and Initial Study were made available fora 20-day public review and comment period from September 7, 2011, to September 27, 2011, in compliance with Sections 15072 and 15105 of the State CEQA Guidelines; E. That a public hearing was duly called, noticed, and held for Code Amendment 11-002 (Ordinance No. 1397) on September 27, 2011 and October 11, 2011, by the Tustin Planning Commission. At said meeting the Planning Commission adopted Resolution No. 4183, recommending that the Resolution No. 11-77 Page 2 City Council adopt the Negative Declaration for Code Amendment 11-002 (Ordinance No. 1397); F. That a public hearing was duly call, noticed, and held for Code Amendment 11-002 (Ordinance no. 1397) on November 1, 2011 by the Tustin City Council. Prior to consideration of Code Amendment 11-002, the Tustin City Council considered the proposed Negative Declaration, Initial Study and comments received. Based upon the whole record before it, there is no substantial evidence that the project will have a significant effect on the environment. II. The Tustin City Council hereby adopts the Negative Declaration and Initial Study attached hereto as Exhibit A for Code Amendment 11-002 (Ordinance No. 1397), clarifying the meaning of legal nonconforming uses and structures in the City of Tustin. PASSED AND ADOPTED by the City Council of the City of Tustin, at a regular meeting on the 1st day of November, 2011. JERRY AMANTE MAYOR PAMELA STOKER CITY CLERK STATE OF CALIFORNIA ) COUNTY OF ORANGE ) CITY OF TUSTIN ) I, Pamela Stoker, City Clerk and ex-officio Clerk of the City Council of the City of Tustin, California, do hereby certify that the whole number of the members of the City Council of the City of Tustin is five; that the above and foregoing Resolution No. 11-77 was duly passed and adopted at a regular meeting of the Tustin City Council, held on the 1st day of November, 2011 by the following vote: COUNCILMEMBER AYES: COUNCILMEMBER NOES: COUNCILMEMBER ABSTAINED: COUNCILMEMBER ABSENT: PAMELA STOKER Exhibit A Appendix G (Environmental Checklist Form) TUSTIN CITY OF TUSTIN COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT DEPARTMENT 300 Centennial Way, Tustin, CA 92780 (714) 573-3100 BUILDING OUR fU1LIRL HONORING OUR PAST A. BACKGROUND Project Title: Lead Agency: Lead Agency Contact Person: Phone: Project Location: Project Sponsor's Name and Address: General Plan Land Use Designation: Zoning Designation: Project Description: Surrounding Land Uses and Setting: Code Amendment 11-002 (Draft Ordinance No. 1397) Nonconforming structures and uses City of Tustin 300 Centennial Way Tustin, California 92780 Dana Ogdon, Assistant Director of Community Development (714) 573-3109 Citywide City of Tustin 300 Centennial Way, Tustin, CA 92780 Citywide Citywide Citywide Citywide Other public agencies whose approval is required: ^ Orange County Fire Authority ^ ^ Orange County EMA District ^ ^ South Coast Air Quality Management ^ ^ Orange County Health Care Agency Attachments: City of Santa Ana City of Irvine Other EXHIBIT 1: Tustin Planning Area INITIAL STUDY B. ENVIRONMENTAL FACTORS POTENTIALLY AFFECTED: City of Tustin The environmental factors checked below would be potentially affected by this project, involving at least one impact that is a "Potentially Significant Impact" as indicated by the checklist on the following pages. ^ Aesthetics ^ Biological Resources ^ Greenhouse Gas Emissions ^ Land Use /Planning ^ Population /Housing ^ Transportation/Traffic DETERMINATION: On the basis of this initial evaluation: ^ Agriculture and Forestry Resources ^ Cultural Resources ^ Hazards & Hazardous Materials ^ Mineral Resources ^ Public Services ^ Utilities /Service Systems ^ Air Quality ^ Geology /Soils ^ Hydrology /Water Quality ^ Noise ^ Recreation ^ Mandatory Findings of Significance ® I find that the proposed .project COULD NOT have a significant effect on the environment, and a NEGATIVE DECLARATION will be prepared. ^ I find that although the proposed project could have a significant effect on the environment, there will not be a significant effect in this case because revisions in the project have been made by or agreed to by the project proponent. A MITIGATED NEGATIVE DECLARATION will be prepared. ^ I find that the proposed project MAY have a significant effect on the environment, and an ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT REPORT is required. ^ I find that the proposed project MAY have a "potentially significant impact" or "potentially significant unless mitigated" impact on the environment, but at least one effect 1) has been adequately analyzed in an earlier document pursuant to applicable legal standards, and 2) has been addressed by mitigation measures based on the earlier analysis as described on attached sheets. An ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT REPORT is required, but it must analyze only the effects that remain to be addressed. ^ I find that although the proposed project could have a significant effect on the environment, because all potentially significant effects (a) have been analyzed adequately in an earlier EIR or NEGATIVE DECLARATION pursuant to applicable standards, and (b) have been avoided or mitigated pursuant to that earlier EIR or NEGATIVE DECLARATION, including revisions or mitigation measures that are imposed upon the proposed project, nothing further is required. Signature:. ~~'~~ ,__~ _ Date: Ff t'co Printed Name: Eliz Beth A. Binsack Title: Community~velopment Director Signature: Date: f Preparers Amy Thomas, AICP Title: Senior Planner 2~Page Appendix G (Environmental Checklist Form) C. EVALUATION OF ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACTS: 1) A brief explanation is required for all answers except "No Impact" answers that are adequately supported by the information sources a lead agency cites in the parentheses following each question. A "No Impact" answer is adequately supported if the referenced information sources show that the impact simply does not apply to projects like the one involved (e.g., the project falls outside a fault rupture zone). A "No Impact" answer should be explained where it is based on project-specific factors as well as general standards (e.g., the project will not expose sensitive receptors to pollutants, based on a project-specific screening analysis). 2) All answers must take account of the whole action involved, including off-site as well as on-site, cumulative as well as project-level, indirect as well as direct, and construction as well as operational impacts. 3) Once the lead agency has determined that a particular physical impact may occur, then the checklist answers must indicate whether the impact is potentially significant, less than significant with mitigation, or less than significant. "Potentially Significant Impact" is appropriate if there is substantial evidence that an effect may be significant. If there are one or more "Potentially Significant Impact" entries when the determination is made, an EIR is required. 4) "Negative Declaration: Less Than Significant With Mitigation Incorporated" applies where the incorporation of mitigation measures has reduced an effect from "Potentially Significant Impact" to a "Less Than Significant Impact." The lead agency must describe the mitigation measures, and briefly explain how they reduce the effect to a less than significant level (mitigation measures from "Earlier Analyses," as described in (5) below, may be cross-referenced). 5) Earlier analyses may be used where, pursuant to the tiering, program EIR, or other CEQA process, an effect has been adequately analyzed in an earlier EIR or negative declaration. Section 15063(c)(3)(D). In this case, a brief discussion should identify the following: a. Earlier Analysis Used. Identify and state where they are available for review. b. Impacts Adequately Addressed. Identify which effects from the above checklist were within the scope of and adequately analyzed in an earlier document pursuant to applicable legal standards, and state whether such effects were addressed by mitigation measures based on the earlier analysis. c. Mitigation Measures. For effects that are "Less than Significant with Mitigation Measures Incorporated," describe the mitigation measures which were incorporated or refined from the earlier document and the extent to which they address site-specific conditions for the project. 6) Lead agencies are encouraged to incorporate into the checklist references to information sources for potential impacts (e.g., general plans, zoning ordinances). Reference to a previously prepared or outside document should, where appropriate, include a reference to the page or pages where the statement is substantiated. 7) Supporting Information Sources: A source list should be attached, and other sources used or individuals contacted should be cited in the discussion. 8) This is only a suggested form, and lead agencies are free to use different formats; however, lead agencies should normally address the questions from this checklist that are relevant to a project's environmental effects in whatever format is selected. 9) The explanation of each issue should identify: a. the significance criteria or threshold, if any, used to evaluate each question; and b. the mitigation measure identified, if any, to reduce the impact to less than significance INITIAL STUDY City of Tustin D. INITIAL STUDY Issues: AESTHETICS. Would the project: a) Have a substantial adverse effect on a scenic vista? b) Substantially damage scenic resources, including, but not limited to, trees, rocks outcroppings, and historic buildings within a state scenic highway? Less Than Potentially Significant With Less Than Significant Mitigation Significant No Impact Incorporated Impact Impact ^ ^ ^ ^ ^ ^ c) Substantially degrade the existing visual character or quality of the site and its surroundings? d) Create a new source of substantial light or glare which would adversely affect day or nighttime views in the area? ^ ^ ^ ^ ^ ^ Discussion: Code Amendment 11-002 (CA 11-002) to amend various sections of the Tustin City Code (TCC) to clarify, provide consistency with prior practice, and reduce ambiguity of the term "nonconforming" throughout the Tustin City Code. a) No Impact. The City of Tustin General Plan encourages protection of scenic views and resources through site planning and architectural design; and through implementation of the Grading Manual. The ordinance is intended to amend the Zoning Code to revise the definition of "nonconforming" to clarify, provide consistency, and reduce ambiguity throughout the code. The ordinance is not anticipated to affect any scenic resources in that there are no physical changes proposed. Therefore, this project will not have a substantial adverse effect on a scenic vista. b) No Impact. The General Plan Circulation Element does not identify any State scenic highways within the City. There are no impacts related to the Ordinance in that the amendment is proposed to revise the nonconforming definition to clarify, provide consistency, and reduce ambiguity throughout the code. The intent of the code amendment is to implement and codify the City's current practice of ensuring that historic structures are maintained and illegal and/or unpermitted additions, alterations, or enlargements are lawfully established in accordance with the City's Cultural Resources District Regulations and the appropriate procedures and findings for a Certificate of Appropriateness are obtained. Said Certificate of Appropriateness must include specific findings for construction or alteration to ensure that alterations 4~Page INITIAL STUDY City of Tustin or adaptive reuse of the structures will not detrimentally alter, destroy or adversely affect the resource and, in the case of a structure is compatible with the architectural style of the existing structure. In addition to allowing expansion/alteration of an identified historic structure, the City also supports adaptive reuse of historic structures. Adaptive reuse preserves the important physical attributes of the historic resource for future generations to appreciate by adapting old structures for purposes other than what the building was originally designed. This concept of adaptive reuse presumes that the owner of the property has legally obtained the proper permits and that the building was adapted (upgraded to meet applicable Building Codes) so that it may lawfully be used differently than the building was originally designed. Illegal additions (even old ones) may detract from the social, cultural or historical significance of an important historic resource. Most importantly, old structures or uses must be lawfully established to ensure that they do not pose a hazard to occupants or the community. The City of Tustin has been recognized by the State of California as a Certified Local Government (CLG). The Certified Local Government Program is a preservation partnership between local, state and national governments focused on promoting historic preservation at the grass roots level. Certification provides the City acdess to the expert technical advice of the State Office of Historic Preservation as well as the National Park Service's Advisory Council on Historic Preservation. Partnerships with the National Alliance of Preservation Commissions, Preserve America, the National Trust for Historic Preservation, and the National Main Street Center are also networks that CLGs have an opportunity to tap into. City staff routinely and responsibly reviews the City's Cultural Resources Survey when researching the legality of a questionable structure, use or lot. When needed, staff has also employed the expertise of 30~' Street Architects, an historic preservation architecture and planning firm recognized statewide as experts in documenting, preserving and restoring historic resources. Staff also researches and considers a wide variety of other historical information (historic phone books, historic aerial photographs, evidence provided by persons associated with the historic past of the site, etc.) when examining the facts associated with a questionable structure, use or lot. Ultimately, the Code Amendment will provide consistency in the code and allow implementation to ensure that the integrity of historic structures are preserved for the intended use and/or are legally established and maintained or are adaptively reused. With the clarification of the term nonconforming to include the terms "lawfully established" and "legal", no impacts are anticipated from the implementation of the proposed project. c) No Impact. The code amendment does not exempt individual projects from review. Impacts related to any future project may be identified and evaluated in conjunction with the applicable discretionary process and may be subject to separate CEQA review. Therefore, no impacts are forecast from the implementation of the proposed project. d) No Impact. The code amendment will not create a source of light and glare. Individual projects may be subject to providing a photometric plan and additional review may be required on a case-by-case basis for lighting of parking lots and loading areas. However, there is no impact associated with this project. Mitigation Measures/Monitoring Required: No additional mitigation measures required Sources: 1. City of Tustin General Plan (January 16, 2001) 2. City of Tustin Zoning Code S~Page INITIAL STUDY Issues: II. AGRICULTURE AND FOREST RESOURCES. In determining whether impacts to agricultural resources are significant environmental effects, lead agencies may refer to the California Agricultural Land Evaluation and Site Assessment Model (1997) prepared by the California Dept. of Conservation as an optional model to use in assessing impacts on agriculture and farmland. In determining whether impacts to forest resources, including timberland, are significant environmental effects, lead agencies may refer to information compiled by the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection regarding the state's inventory of forest land, including the Forest and Range Assessment Project and the Forest Legacy Assessment project; and forest carbon measurement methodology provided in Forest Protocols adopted by the California Air Resources Board. Potentially Significant Impact Less Than Significant With Mitigation Incorporated Would the project: a) Convert Prime Farmland, Unique Farmland, or Farmland of Statewide Importance (Farmland), as shown on the maps prepared pursuant to the Farmland Mapping and Monitoring Program of the California Resources Agency, to non-agricultural use? b) Conflict with existing zoning for agricultural use, or a Williamson Act contract? c) Conflict with existing zoning for, or cause rezoning of, forest land (as defined in Public Resources Code section 12220(8)), timberland (as defined by Public Resources Code section 4526), or timberland zoned Timberland Production (as defined by Government Code section 51104(8))? ^ ^ ^ ^ City of Tustin Less Than Significant Impact No Impact 6~Page INITIAL STUDY d) Result in the loss of forest land or ~ conversion of forest land to non-forest use? e) Involve other changes in the existing ~ environment which, due to their location or nature, could result in conversion of Farmland, to non-agricultural use or conversion of forest land to non-forest use? ^ ^ ^ ^ Discussion: Code Amendment 11-002 (CA 11-002) to amend various sections of the Tustin City Code (TCC) to clarify, provide consistency with prior practice, and reduce ambiguity of the term °nonconforming" throughout the Tustin City Code. a) No Impact. The code amendment will not result in the conversion of farmland to anon-agricultural use. The code amendment will provide clarity, provide consistency with prior practice, and reduce ambiguity of the term "nonconforming" throughout the Tustin City Code. Future individual projects will be subject to discretionary review and potential conditions of approval. Furthermore, since there are no improvements proposed in conjunction with this project, it will not result in any impacts to Prime Farmland, Unique Farmland, or Farmland of Statewide Importance (Farmland). b) No Impact. The code amendment will not result in conversion of farmland to anon-agricultural use. There are no areas subject to a Williamson Act contract, and conservation of farmland in the Tustin Planning Area. Impacts related to any future project would be identified and evaluated in conjunction with each specific project. Therefore, no impacts are forecast to occur as a result of implementation of the code amendment. c) No Impact. The code amendment will not conflict with existing zoning for, or cause rezoning of, forest land, timberland, or timberland zoned Timberland Production in that the City of Tustin does not have any forestland, timberland, or timberland zoned areas within the City boundaries. d) No Impact. The code amendment will not conflict with existing zoning for, or cause rezoning of, forest land, timberland, or timberland zoned Timberland Production in that the City of Tustin does not have any forestland, timberland, or timberland zoned areas within the City boundaries. e) No Impact. As described in Response Il.b above, the proposed project will not directly impact or result in the conversion of existing farmland uses to non-agricultural uses. Therefore, no impacts are forecast to occur as a result of implementation of the code amendment. Mitigation Measures/Monitoring Required: No additional mitigation measures required Sources: 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. City of Tustin General Plan (January 16, 2001) City of Tustin Zoning Code Cal EPA/ARB Greenhouse Gas Inventory Data - 2000 to 2006 http://www. a rb. ca.gov/cc/inventory/data/data. htm State of California Department of Conservation Farmland Mapi Public Resources Code section 122 Government Code section 51104(g) & Monitoring City of Tustin 7~Page INITIAL STUDY Issues: III. AIR QUALITY. Where available, the significance criteria established by the applicable air quality management or air pollution control district may be relied upon to make the following determinations. Would the project: a) Conflict with or obstruct implementation of the applicable air quality plan? City of Tustin Potentially Less Than Less Than No Significant Significant Significant Impact Impact With Impact Mitigation Incorporated ^ ^ ^ b) Violate any air quality standard or contribute substantially to an existing or projected air quality violation? c) Result in a cumulatively considerable net increase of any criteria pollutant for which the project region is non-attainment under an applicable federal or state ambient air quality standard (including releasing emissions which exceed quantitative thresholds for ozone precursors)? d) Expose sensitive receptors to substantial pollutant concentrations? e) Create objectionable odors affecting a substantial number of people? ^ ^ ^ ^ ^ ^ ^ ^ ^ ^ ~^ ^ Discussion: Code Amendment 11-002 (CA 11-002) to amend various sections of the Tustin City Code (TCC) to clarify, provide consistency with prior practice, and reduce ambiguity of the term "nonconforming" throughout the Tustin City Code. a) No Impacts. The proposed project would not conflict with or obstruct implementation of the applicable air quality plan, as prepared by the South Coast Air Quality Management District (SCAQMD) in the Air Quality Management Plan (AQMP) for the South Coast Air Basin. No physical improvements are proposed in conjunction with the code amendment. Impacts related to any future project would be 8~Page INITIAL STUDY City of Tustin identified and evaluated in conjunction with the discretionary review process and/or applicable specific plan or other review document and may be subject to separate CEQA review. Therefore, no impacts are forecast to occur as a result of implementation of the code amendment. b-e) No Impacts. Grading and development activities are not associated with the proposed code amendment. Impacts related to any future project would be identified and evaluated in conjunction with the discretionary review process and/or applicable specific plan or other review document and may be subject to separate CEQA review. Furthermore, projects are subject to the City's standard conditions of approval to minimize local nuisance from grading and construction activities. This condition is in conformance with the SCAQMD requirements and therefore, no impacts are anticipated to occur. Mitigation Measures/Monitoring Required: No additional mitigation measures required Sources: 1. City of Tustin General Plan (January 16, 2001) 2. City of Tustin Zoning Code Issues: Potentially Significant Impact Less Than Significant With Mitigation Incorporated Less Than Significant Impact No Impact IV. BIOLOGICAL RESOURCES. Would the project: a) Have a substantial adverse effect, either directly or through habitat modifications, on any species identified as a candidate, sensitive, or special status species in local or regional plans, policies, or regulations, or by the California Department of Fish and Game or U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service? b) Have a substantial adverse effect on any riparian habitat or other sensitive natural community identified in local or regional plans, policies, regulations, or by the California Department of Fish and Game or U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service? 9~Page INITIAL STUDY Issues: c) Have a substantial adverse effect on federally protected wetlands as defined by Section 404 of the Clean Water Act (including, but not limited to, marsh, vernal pool, coastal, etc.) through direct removal, filling, hydrological interruption, or other means? d) Interfere substantially with the movement of any native resident or migratory fish or wildlife species or with established native resident or migratory wildlife corridors, or impede the use of native wildlife nursery sites? e) Conflict with any local policies or ordinances protecting biological resources, such as a tree preservation policy or ordinance? f) Conflict with the provisions of an adopted Habitat Conservation Plan, Natural Community Conservation Plan, or other approved local, regional, or state habitat conservation plan? City of Tustin Potentially Less Than Less Than No Significant Significant Significant Impact Impact With Impact Mitigation Incorporated ^ ^ ^ ^ ^ ^ ^ ^ ^ ^ ^ ^ Discussion: Code Amendment 11-002 (CA 11-002) to amend various sections of the Tustin City Code (TCC) to clarify, provide consistency with prior practice, and reduce ambiguity of the term "nonconforming" throughout the Tustin City Code. a-b) No Impact. The California Fish and Game Code was adopted by the State legislature to protect the fish and wildlife resources of the State. Special permits are required for any lake or stream alterations, dredging or other activities that may affect fish and game habitat. No physical improvements are currently proposed in conjunction with the amendment to the zoning code. Impacts related to any future project would be identified and evaluated in conjunction with the California Fish and Game Code and may be subject to separate CEQA review. Therefore, no impacts will result with implementation of the code amendment. c) No Impact. In accordance with the City's existing permit (ORDER NO. R8-2009-0030 NPDES No. CAS618030) with the Santa Ana Regional Quality Control Board, any future applicant may be required to prepare a Storm Water Pollution Prevention Plan (SWPPP) to ensure grading and reclamation activities do not allow runoff from the site to cant' sediment during a storm event to impair the water quality. The code amendment will clarify, provide consistency with prior practice, and reduce ambiguity 10~Page INITIAL STUDY City of Tustin of the term "nonconforming" in the TCC. Any future project that is considered a priority project will be required to prepare a Water Quality Management Plan (WQMP) as part of the discretionary review process to ensure runoff from the site, due to ongoing operations, does not impair water quality downstream. Therefore, no impact is anticipated as part of the code amendment that could cause a substantial adverse effect on federally protected wetlands as defined by Section 404 of the Clean Water Act. d) No Impact. As discussed in response IV.a, b, the code amendment does not propose any physical changes. The code amendment incorporates uses previously determined by the Community Development Director and/or Planning Commission to be similar in use. Impacts related to any future project could be identified and evaluated as part of the discretionary review process in conjunction with the California Fish and Game Code and may be subject to separate CEQA review and conditions of approval limiting grading activities. Therefore, no impacts are anticipated from the implementation of the code amendment. e) No Impact. The City's General Plan Conservation/Open Space/Recreation Element mandates continued maintenance of significant tree stands. New developments may require a biological assessment as required in the review process. The code amendment will clarify, provide consistency with prior practice, and reduce ambiguity of the term "nonconforming" in the TCC. Future development applications may be subject to further discretionary review for consistency with any local policies or ordinances protecting biological resources. Therefore, there is no impact f) No Impact. The City of Tustin is a participating member of the Natural Community Conservation Plan (NCCP) and is within the Coastal Sub/Central Orange County NCCP region. No physical improvements are currently proposed in conjunction with the amendment to the zoning code. Impacts related to any future project would be identified and evaluated in conjunction with the applicable NCCP/HCP plan or any other conservation plan and may be subject to separate CEQA review. Therefore, the code amendment has no impact. Mitigation Measures/Monitoring Required: No additional mitigation measures required Sources: 1. City of Tustin General Plan (January 16, 2001) 2. City of Tustin Zoning Code 3. Department of Fish and Game, Natural Community Conservation Plan htt~://www.dfg.ca;~ov/habcon/ncc /status/OrangeCoastal/ Issues: Potentially Less Than Less Than No Significant Significant Significant Impact Impact With Impact Mitigation Incorporated V. CULTURAL RESOURCES. Would the project: a) Cause a substantial adverse ~ ~ ~ change in the significance of a historical resource as defined in § 15064.5? 11 ~ Pale INITIAL STUDY City of Tustin b) Cause a substantial adverse ~ ~ ~ change in the significance of an archaeological resource pursuant to § 15064.5? c) Directly or indirectly destroy a ~ ~ ~ unique paleontological resource or site or unique geologic feature? d) Disturb any human remains, ~ ~ ~ including those interred outside of formal cemeteries? Discussion: Code Amendment 11-002 (CA 11-002) to amend various sections of the Tustin City Code (TCC) to clarify, provide consistency with prior practice, and reduce ambiguity of the term "nonconforming° throughout the Tustin City Code. The intent of the code amendment is to implement and codify the City's current practice of ensuring that historic structures are maintained and illegal and/or unpermitted additions, alterations, or enlargements are lawfully established in accordance with the City's Cultural Resources District Regulations and the appropriate procedures and findings for a Certificate of Appropriateness are obtained. Said Certificate of Appropriateness must include specific findings for construction or alteration to ensure that alterations will not detrimentally alter, destroy or adversely affect the resource and, in the case of a structure is compatible with the architectural style of the existing structure. As set forth in the City of Tustin General Plan Housing Element, (pg. 33) Historic Resources -Older neighborhoods in Tustin contain several historic residences that should be preserved as part of the community's heritage. These historic homes were identified through an inventory of historic buildings in 1990. Further, the General Plan, Housing Element (pg. 50) Building Codes and Enforcement: The City of Tustin adopts the Uniform Construction Codes, as required by State law, which establish minimum construction standards as applied to residential buildings. The City's building codes are the minimum standards necessary to protect the public health, safety and welfare and ensure safe housing. Only local modifications to the codes are made which respond to local climatic or geographic conditions and clarify administrative procedures. Although not mandated to do so, the City has adopted the State Historical Code that relaxes building code requirements citywide for historic structures/buildings. Adoption of the codes reduces rehabilitation costs. Ultimately, the Code Amendment will provide consistency with the General Plan and in the Tustin City Code and to ensure that the integrity of historic structures is legally established and maintained. a) No Impact. The City of Tustin General Plan sets out conservation goals to maintain and enhance the City's unique culturally and historically significant building sites or features. Specifically, Policy 12.1 Identify, designate, and protect facilities of historical significance, and Policy 12.3 Development adjacent to a place, structure or object found to be of historic significance should be designed so that the uses permitted and the architectural design will protect the visual setting of the historical site. Since the proposed zoning code amendment will not change or alter the physical environment and each individual project will be subject to the City's Goals and Policies of the General Plan and Zoning Code regulations. Further, with the implementation and codification of the City's current practice of ensuring that historic structures are preserved for the intended use and/or are lawfully established and maintained or are adaptively reused, it is not anticipated to create a substantial adverse change to historical resources and no impacts are forecast from the implementation of the proposed project. In addition to allowing expansion/alteration of an identified historic structure, the City also supports adaptive reuse of historic structures. Adaptive reuse preserves the important physical attributes of the 12~Page INITIAL STUDY City of Tustin historic resource for future generations to appreciate by adapting old structures for purposes other than what the building was originally designed. This concept of adaptive reuse presumes that the owner of the property has legally obtained the proper permits and that the building was adapted (upgraded to meet applicable Building Codes) so that it may lawfully be used differently than the building was originally designed. Illegal additions (even old ones) may detract from the social, cultural or historical significance of an important historic resource. Most importantly, old structures or uses must be lawfully established to ensure that they do not pose a hazard to occupants or the community. The City of Tustin has been recognized by the State of California as a Certified Local Government (CLG). The Certified Local Government Program is a preservation partnership between local, state and national governments focused on promoting historic preservation at the grass roots level. Certification provides the City access to the expert technical advice of the State Office of Historic Preservation as well as the National Park Service's Advisory Council on Historic Preservation. Partnerships with the National Alliance of Preservation Commissions, Preserve America, the National Trust for Historic Preservation, and the National Main Street Center are also networks that CLGs have an opportunity to tap into. City staff routinely and responsibly reviews the City's Cultural Resources Survey when researching the legality of a questionable structure, use or lot. When needed, staff has also employed the expertise of 30~' Street Architects, an historic preservation architecture and planning firm recognized statewide as experts in documenting, preserving and restoring historic resources. Staff also researches and considers a wide variety of other historical information (historic phone books, historic aerial photographs, evidence provided by persons associated with the historic past of the site, etc.) when examining the facts associated with a questionable structure, use or lot. b) No Impact. According to the City of Tustin General Plan Conservation/Open Space/Recreation Element (Goal 13), and the Standard Conditions of Approval, individual projects will be subject to site inspection by certified archaeologists or paleontologists for new development in designated sensitive areas. These conditions will be required on a case-by-case basis for individual projects subject to discretionary review; however this code amendment proposes no physical changes. Therefore, no impacts related to archaeological resources would result from the proposed code amendment. c) No Impact. Same as response Illb d) No Impact. No physical improvements are currently proposed in conjunction with the code amendment. As such, the project will not adversely affect, destroy or disturb human remains. Impacts related to any future project would be identified and evaluated through the discretionary review process in conjunction with a specific project and standard conditions of approval applied; however, no foreseeable impacts related to cultural resources are anticipated. Mitigation Measures/Monitoring Required: No additional mitigation measures required Sources: 1. City of Tustin General Plan (January 16, 2001) 2. City of Tustin Zoning Code 3. California Law http://www.leginfo.ca.gov/calaw.html 13~Page INITIAL STUDY Issues: Potentially Significant Impact VI GEOLOGY AND SOILS. Would the project: a) Expose people or structures to potential substantial adverse effects, including the risk of loss, injury or death involving: i. Rupture of a known earthquake fault, as delineated on the most recent Alquist-Priolo Earthquake Fault Zoning Map issued by the State Geologist for the area or based on other substantial evidence of a known fault? Refer to Division of Mines and Geology Special Publication 42. ii. Strong seismic ground shaking? iii. Seismic-related ground failure, including liquefaction? iv. Landslides? b) Result in substantial soil erosion or the loss of topsoil? c) Be located on a geologic unit or soil that is unstable, or that would become unstable as a result of the project, and potentially result in on- or off-site landslide, lateral spreading, subsidence, liquefaction or collapse? Less Than Significant With Mitigation Incorporated City of Tustin Less Than Significant Impact No Impact ^ ^ ^ ^ ^ ^ ^ ^ ^ 14~Page INITIAL STUDY Issues: Potentially Significant Impact d) Be located on expansive soil, as ~ defined in Table 18 1 B of the Uniform Building Code (1994), creating substantial risks to life or property? e) Have soils incapable of ~ adequately supporting the use of septic tanks or alternative waste water disposal systems where sewers are not available for the disposal of waste water? City of Tustin Less Than Less Than No Significant Significant Impact With Mitigation Impact Incorporated ^ ^ ^ ^ Discussion: Code Amendment 11-002 (CA 11-002) to amend various sections of the Tustin City Code (TCC) to clarify, provide consistency with prior practice, and reduce ambiguity of the term "nonconforming" throughout the Tustin City Code. a) No Impact. According to the City of Tustin General Plan, Public Safety Element (January 2001), the Tustin Planning Area (Planning Area) lies within a seismically active region. However, there are no known active or suspected potentially active faults identified within the Planning Area. The EI Modena fault passes through the Planning Area's northern section; however, studies have not been conclusive about the active/inactive status of this fault. The code amendment proposes no physical changes and future proposals would be subject to individual review. Therefore, no impacts associated with rupture of a known earthquake fault are anticipated with the implementation of the code amendment. No Impact. There is no evidence of any active or potentially active faults within the Tustin Planning Area (Planning Area) and it is not located within an Alquist-Priolo Earthquake Fault Zone. However, the Planning Area is located in the seismically active region of southern California. Slight to intense ground shaking is possible within the Planning Area if an earthquake occurs on a segment of the active faults in the region. Under current seismic design standards and California Building Code (CBC) provisions, new buildings would incur only minor damage in small to moderate earthquakes, and potential structural damage during a large earthquake, although new buildings are expected to remain standing during such events (City of Tustin General Plan, Safety Element). With application of the provisions of Chapter 16A Division IV of the 1998 California Building Code and the Structural Engineers Association of California, (SEAOC) guidelines, adequate structural protection in the event of an earthquake would be provided, thus reducing impacts from strong seismic ground shaking to a less than significant level. Since there is no development associated with the zoning code amendment and individual projects would be subject to the California Building Code and the SEAOC guidelines, no impacts will occur as part of this project. 15~Page INITIAL STUDY City of Tustin iii. No Impact. There is no development associated with the zoning code amendment and individual projects would be subject to the Califomia Building Code and the SEAOC guidelines. Furthermore, a standard condition of approval requiring a soils report will be required prior to issuance of a grading permit for any future project. Therefore, no impacts will occur as part of this code amendment. b) No Impact. The City of Tustin is a co-permittee with Orange County in the NPDES program, which is designed to reduce pollutants in storm water runoff. Accordingly, during construction of any future project, the applicant will be required to develop and submit a SWPPP to the Santa Ana RWQMP for compliance with the Statewide NPDES for construction activity. The SWPPP would contain BMPs as identified in the Orange County Drainage Area Master Plan (DAMP) to eliminate or reduce erosion and polluted runoff. General BMPs applicable to construction include erosion controls, sediment controls, tracking controls, wind erosion control, non-storm water management, and materials and water management. A standard condition of approval requiring BMP's as part of individual development plans may be required as part of the discretionary review process prior to issuance of a grading permit for any future project. Therefore, no impacts will occur as part of this project. c-d) No Impact. As indicated in Vl.a (ii) above, there is no development associated with the zoning code amendment. Individual projects would be subject to the California Building Code and the SEAOC guidelines. A soils report prepared by a certified soils engineer may be required as part of any project on a case-by-case basis. Since there is no development associated with the zoning code amendment, no impacts will occur as part of this project. e) No Impact. The code amendment does not involve the use of septic tanks or alternative wastewater disposal systems. On a case-by-case basis as part of the discretionary review process, any future proposed project may be subject to submit asite-specific geotechnical investigation for the site and preparation of a geologic and soils report prepared by a certified soils engineer. Therefore, no impacts will occur from the implementation of the proposed project. Mitigation Measures/Monitoring Required: No additional mitigation measures required Sources: 1. City of Tustin General Plan (January 16, 2001) 2. City of Tustin Zoning Code Issues: Potentially Less Than Less Than No Significant Significant Significant Impact Impact With Impact Mitigation Incorporated VII GREENHOUSE GAS EMISSIONS Would the project: a) Generate greenhouse gas emissions, ~ ~ ~ either directly or indirectly, that may have a significant impact on the environment? 16~Page INITIAL STUDY b) Conflict with an applicable plan, policy or ~ regulation adopted for the purpose of reducing the emissions of greenhouse gases? Potentially Significant Impact City of Tustin Discussion: Code Amendment 11-002 (CA 11-002) to amend various sections of the Tustin City Code (TCC) to clarify, provide consistency with prior practice, and reduce ambiguity of the term "nonconforming" throughout the Tustin City Code. a) No Impact. There is no development associated with the zoning code amendment. Future individual projects would be subject to CEQA review on a case-by-case basis. Therefore, no impacts are anticipated to directly or indirectly have an impact on the environment. b) No Impact. There is no development associated with the zoning code amendment; the plan is consistent with the City's General Plan and does not conflict with an applicable plan, policy or regulation adopted for the purpose of reducing the emissions of greenhouse gases. Mitigation Measures/Monitoring Required: No additional mitigation measures required Sources: 1. City of Tustin General Plan (January 16, 2001) 2. City of Tustin Zoning Code Issues: VIII HAZARDS AND HAZARDOUS MATERIALS. Would the project: a) Create a significant hazard to the public or the environment through the routine transport, use, or disposal of hazardous materials? b) Create a significant hazard to the public or the environment through reasonably foreseeable upset and accident conditions involving the release of hazardous materials into the environment? Less Than Significant With Mitigation Incorporated ^ ^ ^ ^ Less Than Significant Impact No Impact 17~Page INITIAL STUDY City of Tustin Issues: Potentially Less Than Less Than No Significant Significant Significant Impact Impact With Impact Mitigation Incorporated c) Emit hazardous emissions or handle hazardous or acutely hazardous materials, substances, or waste within one-quarter mile of an existing or proposed school? d) Be located on a site which is included on a list of hazardous materials sites compiled pursuant to Government Code section 65962.5 and, as a result, would it create a significant hazard to the public or the environment? e) For a project located within an airport land use plan or, where such a plan has not been adopted, within two miles of a public airport or public use airport, would the project result in a safety hazard for people residing or working in the project area? f) For a project within the vicinity of a private airstrip, would the project result in a safety hazard for people residing or working in the project area? g) Impair implementation of or physically interfere with an adopted emergency response plan or emergency evacuation plan? h) Expose people or structures to a significant risk of loss, injury or death involving wildland fires, including where wildlands are adjacent to urbanized areas or where residences are intermixed with wildlands? ^ ^ ^ ^ ^ ^ ^ ^ ^ ^ ^ ^ ^ ^ ^ ^ ^ ^ Discussion: Code Amendment 11-002 (CA 11-002) to amend various sections of the Tustin City Code (TCC) to clarify, provide consistency with prior practice, and reduce ambiguity of the term "nonconforming" throughout the Tustin City Code. 18~Page INITIAL STUDY City of Tustin a-c) No Impact. The project involves the implementation of a new zoning code amendment to clarify the term nonconforming as set forth in the Tustin City Code. There are no hazardous materials proposed as part of this project. Each individual development project will be subject to review on a case-by-case basis for hazardous materials. Therefore, no impacts related to this issue will result from the proposed project, and no mitigation measures are required. d) No Impact. This project does not involve a specific hazardous materials site. Any new project will be subject to review with the list compiled pursuant to Government Code Section 65962.5. A standard condition of approval may require asite-specific geotechnical investigation for the entire site and preparation of a geologic and soils report will be required as part of the project. Therefore, no impacts related to this issue will result from the proposed project. e-f) No Impact. According to the City's General Plan Circulation Element, air travel is available from John Wayne Airport in Orange County, approximately five miles to the south by surface roadway. However, the Tustin Planning Area does not lie within any of John Way's safety zones. The former MCAS Tustin helicopter station was located in the southern portion of the City. A Specific Plan for reuse of the base has resulted in the elimination of aviation uses, with the exception of heliports individually permitted or blimp operations as an interim use. New development will be subject to review with the Airport Land Use Commission if necessary. Any conditions of approval will be incorporated into each individual project where necessary. Therefore, no safety hazards are anticipated related to this issue. g-h) No Impact. The code amendment to amend the term nonconforming in the Tustin City Code would not involve any uses that would interfere with the City's Emergency Operations Plan or with major emergency evacuation routes out of the area; nor is it anticipated to expose people or structures to a significant risk of loss, injury or death wildland fires, including where wildlands are adjacent to urbanized areas or where residences are intermixed with wildlands. Therefore, there are no impacts associated with this issue. Mitigation Measures/Monitoring Required: No additional mitigation measures required Sources: 1. City of Tustin General Plan (January 16, 2001) 2. City of Tustin Zoning Code Issues: Potentially Less Than Less Than No Significant Significant Significant Impact Impact With Impact Mitigation Incorporated IX HYDROLOGY AND WATER QUALITY. Would the project: a) Violate any water quality standards or ~ ~ ~ waste discharge requirements? 19~Page INITIAL STUDY Issues: b) Substantially deplete groundwater supplies or interfere substantially with groundwater recharge such that there would be a net deficit in aquifer volume or a lowering of the local groundwater table (e.g., the production rate of pre-existing nearby wells would drop to a level which would not support existing land uses or planned uses for which permits have been granted)? c) Substantially alter the existing drainage pattern of the site or area, including through the alteration of the course of a stream or river, in a manner which would result in substantial erosion or siltation on- or off-site? d) Substantially alter the existing drainage pattern of the site or area, including through the alteration of the course of a stream or river, or substantially increase the rate or amount of surface runoff in a manner which would result in flooding on-or off-site? e) Create or contribute runoff water which would exceed the capacity of existing or planned stormwater drainage systems or provide substantial additional sources of polluted runoff? f) Otherwise substantially degrade water quality? g) Place housing within a 100-year flood hazard area as mapped on a federal Flood Hazard Boundary or Flood Insurance Rate Map or other flood hazard delineation map? City of Tustin Potentially Less Than Less Than No Significant Significant Significant Impact Impact With Impact Mitigation Incorporated ^ ^ ^ ^ ^ ^ ^ ^ ^ ^ ^ ^ ^ ^ ^ ^ ^ ^ 20~Page INITIAL STUDY Issues: h) Place within a 100-year flood hazard area structures that would impede or redirect flows? i) Expose people or structures to a significant risk of loss, injury or death involving flooding, including flooding as a result of the failure of a levee or dam? j) Inundation by seiche, tsunami, or mudflow? Potentially Significant Impact City of Tustin Less Than Less Than No Significant Significant Impact With Impact Mitigation Incorporated ^ ^ ^ ^ ^ ^ Discussion: Code Amendment 11-002 (CA 11-002) to amend various sections of the Tustin City Code (TCC) to clarify, provide consistency with prior practice, and reduce ambiguity of the term "nonconforming" throughout the Tustin City Code. a) No Impact. The City of Tustin is a co-permittee with Orange County in the NPDES program, which is designed to reduce pollutants in storm water runoff. The code amendment does not include construction of new facilities. Accordingly, during construction of any future development project, the applicant may be required to develop and submit a SWPPP to the Santa Ana RWQMP for compliance with the Statewide NPDES for construction activity. The SWPPP would contain BMPs as identified in the Orange County Drainage Area Master Plan (DAMP) to eliminate or reduce erosion and polluted runoff. General BMPs applicable to construction include erosion controls, sediment controls, tracking controls, wind erosion control, non-storm water management, and materials and water management. By preparing a SWPPP for NPDES compliance in addition to the standard conditions of approval for water quality, any future project could potentially meet all applicable regulations to manage runoff from the project site. Pollutants in storm water would be substantially reduced by source control and treatment BMPs. Since there is no development proposed as part of this project, it would not violate any water quality standards or waste discharge requirements. b) No Impact. The proposed code amendment will not substantially deplete groundwater supplies or interfere substantially with groundwater recharge in that there is no construction associated with the proposed code amendment. c) No Impact. Construction of any future project may temporarily alter existing drainage patterns, as there would be areas of exposed soil during grading and excavation activities. If a storm event were to occur during these activities, exposed sediments may be carried off-site and into the local storm drain system increasing siltation. However, as discussed in Response No. IX.a-b, any future project would be required, as part of the standard conditions of approval of the discretionary review process, to implement construction BMPs in compliance with the NPDES permit and Orange County Drainage Area Master Plan (DAMP) to eliminate or reduce erosion and polluted runoff. Therefore, there are no impacts associated with this project. 21~Page INITIAL STUDY City of Tustin d-e) No Impact. The code amendment provides clarification to the term nonconforming in various sections of the Tustin City Code (TCC) to clarify, provide consistency with prior practice, and reduce ambiguity of the term "nonconforming°. Any future project would be subject to individual review and may be subject to CEQA review. To ensure off-site drainage does not result in flooding on or off-site, any future applicant may be required, as part of the standard conditions of approval, to provide on-site hydrology and hydraulic calculations for the proposed development and hydraulic calculations for proposed connections to the existing storm drain system. This will ensure drainage improvements of any future project site will have a less than significant effect on the environment. However, this will be assessed as part of the discretionary review process; there are no impacts associated with the implementation of the code amendment. f) No Impact. Compliance with the NPDES permit (refer to Response IX.a-b) and BMPs (discussed in Responses IX.a-b, IX.c, above) would reduce potential water quality impacts to less than significant levels. There are no impacts associated with the implementation of the code amendment. g - h) No Impact. The code amendment will amend the Tustin City Code for clarification of the term nonconforming. The proposed code amendment will not place housing or structures within a 100-year flood hazard area as mapped on a federal Flood Hazard Boundary or Flood Insurance Rate Map or other flood hazard delineation map in that there is no development associated with the code amendment. Any individual projects will be subject to review according to the Flood Insurance Rate Map. The map would indicate whether a project was subject to a flood zone. However, no development is proposed as part of this project. Therefore, no impacts will occur as part of this project. i) No Impact. As described in response IXg-h, runoff typically increases with parking, however, there is no development associated with this zoning code amendment in that it includes a revision to the term nonconforming in the Tustin City Code for clarification. Any future construction of individual projects will be subject to comply with the requirements of the Orange County NPDES program, which is designed to reduce pollutants in storm water runoff. In the unlikely event of flooding as a result of the failure of a levee or dam, the City has implemented an Emergency Preparedness Plan that addresses several hazard areas including flooding. This Emergency Preparedness Plan has been reviewed by State and Federal agencies which have their own roles in the event of an emergency. Any future development project would be subject to review on a case-by-case basis as to whether or not it is within a flood zone (as addressed in VIII t-u) and potentially subject to significant risk of loss, injury or death involving flooding, including flooding as a result of the failure of a levee or dam. However, there are no impacts associated with the code amendment. j) No Impact. Any future development projects would be subject to review to determine whether the project is within an area that has been identified as susceptible to liquefaction or potential bedrock landslides. These areas are identified on Figure COSR-1 of the City's General Plan. When development is proposed within these areas, studies shall be performed as directed by the City to determine the potential for hazards and the amount of development which is supportable on the site. As described in VIII v, in the unlikely event of inundation by seiche, tsunami, or mudflow an individual project would be part of the City's Emergency Preparedness Plan. Therefore, no impacts associated with the code amendment. Mitigation Measures/Monitoring Required: No additional mitigation measures required Sources: 1. City of Tustin General Plan (January 16, 2001) 2. City of Tustin Zoning Code 3. Flood Insurance Rate Map 3. OC Watersheds htta://www. ocwatersheds. com/dam preport/default.aspx?I D=1000358 22~Page INITIAL STUDY Issues: X. LAND USE AND PLANNING. Would the project: a) Physically divide an established community? b) Conflict with any applicable land use plan, policy, or regulation of an agency with jurisdiction over the project (including, but not limited to the general plan, specific plan, local coastal program, or zoning ordinance) adopted for the purpose of avoiding or mitigating an environmental effect? City of Tustin Potentially Less Than Less Than No Significant Significant Significant Impact Impact With Impact Mitigation Incorporated ^ ^ ^ ^ ^ ^ c) Conflict with any applicable habitat conservation plan or natural community conservation plan? ^ ^ ^ Discussion: Code Amendment 11-002 (CA 11-002) to amend various sections of the Tustin City Code (TCC) to clarify, provide consistency with prior practice, and reduce ambiguity of the term "nonconforming" throughout the Tustin City Code. The intent of the code amendment is to implement and codify the City's current practice of ensuring that historic structures are maintained and illegal and/or unpermitted additions, alterations, or enlargements are lawfully established in accordance with the City's Cultural Resources District Regulations and the appropriate procedures and findings for a Certificate of Appropriateness are obtained. Said Certificate of Appropriateness must include specific findings for construction or alteration to ensure that alterations will not detrimentally alter, destroy or adversely affect the resource and, in the case of a structure is compatible with the architectural style of the existing structure. Ultimately, the Code Amendment will provide consistency in the code and allow implementation to ensure that the integrity of historic structures is legally established and maintained. a) No Impact. The code amendment will clarify, provide consistency with prior practice, and reduce ambiguity of the term "nonconforming" throughout the Tustin City Code. Since the uses are similar and may be subject to discretionary review and conditions of approval, it is not anticipated to physically divide an established community and therefore, no impacts will occur. b) No Impact. The City's General Plan indicates the following: Goal 2: Ensure that future land use decisions are the result of sound and comprehensive planning. Specifically, Policy 2.1: Consider all General Plan goals and policies, including those in the other General Plan elements, in evaluating proposed development projects for General Plan consistency. Policy 2.2: Maintain consistency between the Land Use Element, Zoning Ordinances, and other City ordinances, regulations and standards. 23~Page INITIAL STUDY City of Tustin The code amendment will clarify, provide consistency with prior practice, and reduce ambiguity of the term "nonconforming" throughout the Tustin City Code. Therefore, the project is in conformance with the General Plan, and there are no conflicts related to the implementation of the code amendment. c) No Impact. As indicated in response IV f, the City of Tustin is a participating member of the Natural Community Conservation Plan (NCCP) and is within the Central/Coastal Orange County region. No physical improvements are currently proposed in conjunction with the amendment to the zoning code. Impacts related to any future project would be identified and evaluated in conjunction with the applicable NCCP/HCP plan or any other conservation plan and may be subject to separate CEQA review. As a result, no impacts are anticipated from the implementation of the code amendment. Mitigation Measures/Monitoring Required: No additional mitigation measures required. Sources: 1. City of Tustin General Plan (January 16, 2001) 2. City of Tustin Zoning Code Issues: Potentially Significant Impact Less Than Significant With Mitigation Incorporated Less Than Significant Impact No Impact XI MINERAL RESOURCES. Would the project: a) Result in the loss of availability of a known mineral resource that would be of value to the region and the residents of the state? b) Result in the loss of availability of a locally-important mineral resource recovery site delineated on a local general plan, specific plan or other land use plan? ^ ^ ^ ^ Discussion: Code Amendment 11-002 (CA 11-002) to amend various sections of the Tustin City Code (TCC) to clarify, provide consistency with prior practice, and reduce ambiguity of the term "nonconforming" throughout the Tustin City Code. a-b) No Impact. According to the City of Tustin Conservation/Open Space/Recreations Element (Figure COSR-2) there are no known mineral resources within the City that would be of value to the region and the residents of the state. Therefore, there are no project related impacts associated with mineral resources. Mitigation Measures/Monitoring Required: No additional mitigation measures required. Sources: 1. City of Tustin General Plan (January 16, 2001) 2. City of Tustin Zoning Code 24~Page INITIAL STUDY Issues: XII NOISE. Potentially Significant Impact City of Tustin Less Than Less Than No Significant Significant Impact With Impact Mitigation Incorporated Would the project result in: a) Exposure of persons to or generation of noise levels in excess of standards established in the local general plan or noise ordinance, or applicable standards of other agencies? ^ ^ b) Exposure of persons to or generation of excessive groundborne vibration or groundborne noise levels? c) A substantial permanent increase in ambient noise levels in the project vicinity above levels existing without the project? d) A substantial temporary or periodic increase in ambient noise levels in the project vicinity above levels existing without the project? e) For a project located within an airport land use plan or, where such a plan has not been adopted, within two miles of a public airport or public use airport, would the project expose people residing or working in the project area to excessive noise levels? f) For a project within the vicinity of a private airstrip, would the project expose people residing or working in the project area to excessive noise levels? ^ ^ ^ ^ ^ ^ ^ ^ ^ ^ Discussion: Code Amendment 11-002 (CA 11-002) to amend various sections of the Tustin City Code (TCC) to clarify, provide consistency with prior practice, and reduce ambiguity of the term °nonconforming" throughout the Tustin City Code. 25~Page INITIAL STUDY City of Tustin a -d) No Impact. The City of Tustin General Plan Noise Element, and the City's Municipal Code, Chapter 6 Section 4614, Noise Control (Noise Ordinance) establish noise standards for the City. The Safety and Noise Element addresses noise with respect to general land use compatibility, while the Noise Ordinance addresses noise from specific sources. The Noise Ordinance established exterior noise standards of 55 dBA during the daytime hours between 7:00 a.m. and 10:00 p.m. and 50 dBA during the nighttime hours between 10:00 p.m. and 7:00 a.m. These noise standards are adjusted further based on the cumulative duration of the noise occurrence, as well as the prevailing ambient noise levels near the project. Each future individual project will be subject to review on a case-by-case basis. The proposed project does not include new development and would not expose people to excessive noise; therefore, no impact will occur as a result of this project. e-f) No Impact. According to the City's General Plan Circulation Element, air travel is available from John Wayne Airport in Orange County, approximately five miles to the south by surface roadway. However, the Tustin Planning Area does not lie within any of John Wayne's safety zones. The former MCAS Tustin helicopter station was located in the southern portion of the City. A Specific Plan for reuse of the base has resulted in the elimination of aviation uses, with the exception of heliports individually permitted or blimp operations as an interim use. New development could be subject to review with the Airport Land Use Commission if necessary as well as with the Noise Ordinance. Any conditions of approval will be incorporated into each individual project where necessary. No impact will occur as a result of this code amendment. Mitigation Measures/Monitoring Required: No additional mitigation measures required Sources: 1. City of Tustin General Plan (January 16, 2001) 2. City of Tustin Zoning Code Issues: Potentially Less Than Less Than No Significant Significant Significant Impact Impact With Impact Mitigation Incorporated XIII POPULATION AND HOUSING. Would the project: a) Induce substantial population (~ ~ ~ growth in an area, either directly (for example, by proposing new homes and businesses) or indirectly (for example, through extension of road or other infrastructure)? b) Displace substantial numbers of ~ ~ ~ existing housing, necessitating the construction of replacement housing elsewhere? 26~Page INITIAL STUDY City of Tustin c) Displace substantial numbers of ~ ~ ~ people, necessitating the construction of replacement housing elsewhere? Discussion: Code Amendment 11-002 (CA 11-002) to amend various sections of the Tustin City Code (TCC) to clarify, provide consistency with prior practice, and reduce ambiguity of the term "nonconforming" throughout the Tustin City Code. The intent of the code amendment is to implement and codify the City's current practice of ensuring that historic structures are maintained and illegal and/or unpermitted additions, alterations, or enlargements are lawfully established in accordance with the City's Cultural Resources District Regulations and the appropriate procedures and findings for a Certificate of Appropriateness are obtained. The Code Amendment will provide consistency in the code and allow implementation to ensure that buildings and structures are legally established and maintained. This code amendment will assist in clarifying that only legally established housing units meet the States and Federal standards for affordable housing, not illegally established units. a) No Impact. The Tustin Planning Area is an established and urbanized area. There is no development associated with the code amendment. It is not anticipated to substantially increase population growth. Therefore, no impact on the local or regional population is expected to occur. b) No Impact. There are no physical improvements in conjunction with the amendment to the Tustin City Code. Impacts related to any future project would be identified and evaluated on a case-by-case basis as part of the discretionary review process. Therefore, no housing would be displaced by the implementation of the proposed project and there are no impacts associated with this code amendment. c) No Impact. No development associated with the code amendment. No persons would be displaced by the implementation of the proposed project. Therefore, there are no impacts associated with this issue. Mitigation Measures/Monitoring Required: No additional mitigation measures required Sources: 1. City of Tustin General Plan (January 16, 2001) 2. City of Tustin Zoning Code 27~Page INITIAL STUDY City of Tustin Issues: Potentially Less Than Less Than No Significant Significant Significant Impact Impact With Impact Mitigation Incorporated XIV PUBLIC SERVICES. Would the project: a) Result in substantial adverse physical ~ ~ ~ impacts associated with the provision of new or physically altered governmental facilities, need for new or physically altered governmental facilities, the construction of which could cause significant environmental impacts, in order to maintain acceptable service ratios, response times or other performance objectives for any of the public services: i. Fire protection? ~ ~ ~ ii. Police protection? ~ ~ ~ iii. Schools? ~ ~ ~ iv. Parks? ~ ~ ~ v. Other public facilities? ~ ~ ~ Discussion: Code Amendment 11-002 (CA 11-002) to amend various sections of the Tustin City Code (TCC) to clarify, provide consistency with prior practice, and reduce ambiguity of the term "nonconforming" throughout the Tustin City Code. a) The proposed code amendment is not anticipated to cause any adverse physical impacts associated with the provision of new or physically altered government facilities. Fire protection. No Impact. The Orange County Fire Authority provides fire protection for the City of Tustin on a contractual basis. All water mains and fire hydrants must be constructed in accordance with Orange County guidelines and are subject to approval by the Orange County Fire Authority. Adherence to these guidelines will ensure that no significant impacts on fire protection services will occur. Future projects may be subject to individual review by the Fire Authority as part of the discretionary review routing process. Therefore, there are no impacts related to fire protection. Police protection. No Impact. The Tustin Police Department provides law enforcement services within the City of Tustin. Routine and scheduled patrolling is done throughout the City and would continue as they do under existing conditions. It is not anticipated that the proposed code amendment would require additional officers. Rather, it is assumed that the Police Department will 28~Page INITIAL STUDY City of Tustin continue to assess and evaluate its crime statistics for problem areas within the City. No impacts associated with the implementation of the code amendment. iii. Schools. No Impact. The code amendment will not provide housing that would generate demand for additional schools. The project will not increase student population necessitating a need for new or expanded school facilities. No impacts are anticipated. iv. Parks. No Impact. The code amendment does not propose new construction. Any future project may be subject to further discretionary review. However, the project is not anticipated to generate a demand for additional parks. No mitigation measures are required. v. Other Public Facilities. No Impact. The code amendment is not anticipated to result in any substantial increase in demands on other government services or public facilities such as roads, libraries, hospitals, or post offices. Future projects are not anticipated to generate traffic however; should impacts be associated with an individual project, they would be reviewed and considered on a case-by-case basis and conditions of approval included as necessary to mitigate impacts. No increased need for maintenance of these public facilities is anticipated. No mitigation measures are required. Mitigation Measures/Monitoring Required: No additional mitigation measures required Sources: 1. City of Tustin General Plan (January 16, 2001) 2. City of Tustin Zoning Code Issues: Potentially Less Than Less Than No Significant Significant Significant Impact Impact With Impact Mitigation Incorporated XV RECREATION. Would the project: a) Increase the use of existing neighborhood and regional parks or other recreational facilities such that substantial physical deterioration of the facility would occur or be accelerated? ^ ^ ^ b) Does the project include recreational facilities or require the construction or expansion of recreational facilities which have an adverse physical effect on the environment? ^ ^ ^ Discussion: Code Amendment 11-002 (CA 11-002) to amend various sections of the Tustin City Code (TCC) to clarify, provide consistency with prior practice, and reduce ambiguity of the term "nonconforming" throughout the Tustin City Code. 29~Page INITIAL STUDY City of Tustin a -b) No Impact. The code amendment will clarify, provide consistency with prior practice, and reduce ambiguity of the term "nonconforming" throughout the Tustin City Code. The proposed project does not involve the construction of uses that will increase demand for parks. Therefore, the proposed project will not adversely impact existing recreational facilities. Mitigation Measures/Monitoring Required: No additional mitigation measures required Sources: 1. City of Tustin General Plan (January 16, 2001) 2. City of Tustin Zoning Code Issues: XVI TRANSPORTATION /TRAFFIC. Would the project: a) Conflict with an applicable plan, ordinance or policy establishing measures of effectiveness for the performance of the circulation system, taking into account all modes of transportation including mass transit and non-motorized travel and relevant components of the circulation system, including but not limited to intersections, streets, highways and freeways, pedestrian and bicycle paths, and mass transit? b) Conflict with an applicable congestion management program, including, but not limited to level of service standards and travel demand measures, or other standards established by the county congestion management agency for designated roads or highways? c) Result in a change in air traffic patterns, including either an increase in traffic levels or a change in location that results in substantial safety risks? Potentially Significant Impact Less Than Significant With Mitigation Incorporated Less Than Significant Impact No Impact 30~Page INITIAL STUDY City of Tustin Issues: Potentially Less Than Less Than No Significant Significant Significant Impact Impact With Mitigation Impact Incorporated d) Substantially increase hazards ~ ~ ~ due to a design feature (e.g., sharp curves or dangerous intersections) or incompatible uses (e.g., farm equipment)? e) Result in inadequate ~ ~ ~ emergency access? f) Conflict with adopted policies, plans, or ~ ~ ~ programs regarding public transit, bicycle, or pedestrian facilities, or otherwise decrease the performance or safety of such facilities? Discussion: Code Amendment 11-002 (CA 11-002) to amend various sections of the Tustin City Code (TCC) to clarify, provide consistency with prior practice, and reduce ambiguity of the term "nonconforming° throughout the Tustin City Code. a) No Impact. The code amendment will not conflict with adopted plan, ordinance or policies programs supporting alternative transportation in that the new ordinance will provide that will better organize and supplement Tustin's Zoning Code and provide updated uses that have previously been determined to be similar to permitted and conditionally permitted uses. These regulations are consistent with the City's Circulation Element which addresses the circulation improvements needed to provide adequate capacity for future land uses. The Element establishes a hierarchy of transportation routes with specific development standards. Future projects will be required to conform to the City's Circulation Element based on individual review. Therefore, there is no impact to this issue and no mitigation is necessary. b) No Impact. The City has adopted a Congestion Management Program (CMP) to reduce traffic congestion and to provide a mechanism for coordinating land use development and transportation improvement decisions. Any future project will require review and conformance with the requirements of the Tustin General Plan and the CMP. However, no improvements are proposed as part of this project. Therefore, it would have no impact and no mitigation is necessary. c) No Impact. The code amendment will clarify, provide consistency with prior practice, and reduce ambiguity of the term "nonconforming" throughout the Tustin City Code. There is no construction proposed as part of this project, accordingly, it is not anticipated to produce any air traffic increases, nor would existing air traffic patterns impact it. No impacts are anticipated from implementation of the code amendment. d) No Impact. The code amendment will clarify, provide consistency with prior practice, and reduce ambiguity of the term "nonconforming" throughout the Tustin City Code. Therefore, the code amendment is not anticipated to cause hazardous conditions or allow incompatible uses. No impact will occur as part of this code amendment. 31~Page INITIAL STUDY City of Tustin e) No Impact. The code amendment does not include any new development and will not result in inadequate emergency access. Future development will be reviewed and considered on a case-by- case basis and conditions of approval included as necessary to mitigate impacts. No mitigation is necessary. f) No Impact. The code amendment will not conflict with adopted policy, plan, or programs supporting alternative transportation in that the new ordinance will clarify, provide consistency with prior practice, and reduce ambiguity of the term "nonconforming" throughout the Tustin City Code. These regulations are consistent with the City's Circulation Element which addresses the circulation improvements needed to provide adequate capacity for future land uses. The Element establishes a hierarchy of transportation routes with specific development standards. Future projects will be required to conform to the City's Circulation Element based on individual review. Therefore, there is no impact to this issue and no mitigation is necessary. Mitigation Measures/Monitoring Required: No additional mitigation measures required Sources: 1. City of Tustin General Plan (January 16, 2001) 2. City of Tustin Zoning Code Issues: Potentially Less Than Less Than Significant Significant Significant Impact With Impact Mitigation Incorporated ^ ^ ^ No Impact XVI I UTILITIES AND SERVICE SYSTEMS. Would the project: a) Exceed wastewater treatment requirements of the applicable Regional Water Quality Control Board? b) Require or result in the construction of new water or wastewater treatment facilities or expansion of existing facilities, the construction of which could cause significant environmental effects? c) Require or result in the construction of new storm water drainage facilities or expansion of existing facilities, the construction of which could cause significant environmental effects? ^ ^ ^ ^ ^ ^ 32 ~ Page INITIAL STUDY City of Tustin Issues: Potentially Less Than Less Than No Significant Significant Significant Impact Impact With Impact Mitigation Incorporated d) Have sufficient water supplies ~ ~ ~ available to serve the project from existing entitlements and resources, or are new or expanded entitlements needed? e) Result in a determination by the ~ ~ ~ wastewater treatment provider which serves or may serve the project that it has adequate capacity to serve the project's projected demand in addition to the provider's existing commitments? f) Be served by a landi'lll with ~ ~ ~ sufficient permitted capacity to accommodate the project's solid waste disposal needs? g) Comply with federal, state, and ~ ~ ~ local statutes and regulations related to solid waste? Discussion: Code Amendment 11-002 (CA 11-002) to amend various sections of the Tustin City Code (TCC) to clarify, provide consistency with prior practice, and reduce ambiguity of the term "nonconforming° throughout the Tustin City Code. a) No Impact. The Tustin Planning Area is located within the jurisdiction of the Santa Ana Regional Quality Control Board. The proposed code amendment does not include new development and will amend various sections of the Tustin City Code (TCC) to clarify, provide consistency with prior practice, and reduce ambiguity of the term "nonconforming° throughout the Tustin City Code. Any wastewater generated by future projects may be subject to review for impacts on wastewater facilities as part of the discretionary review process. Typically, any increase in wastewater flows resulting from an off-street parking project would be minimal. Future development would be required to comply with local and state regulations to minimize any potential impacts from hazardous materials use. As discussed in Section IX. Hydrology and Water Quality, any future project may be required to implement standard BMPs to control storm water runoff at the project site. Therefore, no impacts are associated with this project. b) No Impact. Irvine Ranch Water District (IRWD) provides water and wastewater services and the Orange County Sewer District provide wastewater services within the Tustin Planning Area. The code amendment does not include new development and will amend various sections of the Tustin City Code (TCC) to clarify, provide consistency with prior practice, and reduce ambiguity of the term "nonconforming" throughout the Tustin City Code. The amount of potable water needed and wastewater generated by a future project be reviewed on a case-by-case basis for any potential to cause significant environmental impacts and would most likely be nominal. Minor infrastructure 33~Page INITIAL STUDY City of Tustin improvements may be required to provide on-site connections from the existing water and wastewater services to any new project. Since there are no new wastewater treatment facilities or potable water facilities will be needed as part of this code amendment there are no impacts. c) No Impact. As discussed in Response No. XVII a) above, the code amendment will amend various sections of the Tustin City Code (TCC) to clarify, provide consistency with prior practice, and reduce ambiguity of the term "nonconforming" throughout the Tustin City Code. Future projects would be required to comply with local and state regulations to minimize any potential impacts from expansion of existing facilities. Any future project may be required to implement standard BMPs to control storm water runoff at the project site and may incorporate construction and post-construction BMPs in compliance with the NPDES permit and Orange County Drainage Area Master Plan (DAMP) to eliminate or reduce erosion and polluted runoff. However, there are no impacts from implementation of the proposed code amendment. d- e) No Impact. As discussed in Response No. XVII b) above, the code amendment will amend various sections of the Tustin City Code (TCC) to clarify, provide consistency with prior practice, and reduce ambiguity of the term "nonconforming" throughout the Tustin City Code. Any increase in water demand from any future project is anticipated to be nominal and would be considered and mitigated as necessary on a case-by-case basis. No mitigation measures are required. f-g) No Impact. CR&R Waste Services provides solid waste collection and disposal services to the City of Tustin. Any solid waste generated by a future project would be diverted to a transfer station and then to the Bee Canyon/Bowerman Landfill located at 11002 Bee Canyon Access Road in Irvine. The zoning code amendment does not propose any construction. Furthermore, any future project would be required to comply with local, state, and federal requirements for integrated waste management (i.e. recycling) and solid waste disposal. Waste Management provides recycling opportunities to businesses and institutions, although implementation of recycling programs by businesses and institutions is voluntary. The project is anticipated to have no impact on landfill capacity. h) No Impact. The code amendment will amend various sections of the Tustin City Code (TCC) to clarify, provide consistency with prior practice, and reduce ambiguity of the term "nonconforming" throughout the Tustin City Code. A Standard Condition of Approval will be added to individual future projects requiring a Water Quality Management Plan (WQMP) for the use of non structural and/or structural BMPs including but not limited to tenant education, activity restrictions, street sweeping, landscaped areas with efficient irrigation and limited run-off, strategically placed catch basins with fossil filters, and catch basin stenciling. BMPs required as part of an individual project would not necessarily result in any significant environmental effect. No impact as part of this project. Mitigation Measures/Monitoring Required: No additional mitigation measures required. Sources: 1. City of Tustin General Plan (January 16, 2001) 2. City of Tustin Zoning Code 3. OC Watersheds http://www. ocwatersheds.com/dam prevort/default.aspx?I D=1000358 4. Water Code Section 10910, et. Seq. (SB 610), and the requirements of Government Code Section 664737 (SB 221) 34~Page INITIAL STUDY Issues: City of Tustin Potentially Less Than Less Than No Significant Significant Significant Impact Impact With Impact Mitigation Incorporated XVIII MANDATORY FINDINGS OF SIGNIFICANCE a) Does the project have the potential to degrade the quality of the environment, substantially reduce the habitat of a fish or wildlife species, cause a fish or wildlife population to drop below self- sustaining levels, threaten to eliminate a plant or animal community, reduce the number or restrict the range of a rare or endangered plant or animal or eliminate important examples of the major periods of California history or prehistory? ^ ^ ^ b) Does the project have impacts that are individually limited, but cumulatively considerable? ("Cumulatively considerable" means that the incremental effects of a project are considerable when viewed in connection with the effects of past projects, the effects of other current project, and the effects of probable future projects.) c) Does the project have environmental effects which will cause substantial adverse effects on human beings, either directly or indirectly? ^ ^ ^ ^ ^ ^ Discussion: Code Amendment 11-002 (CA 11-002) to amend various sections of the Tustin City Code (TCC) to clarify, provide consistency with prior practice, and reduce ambiguity of the term "nonconforming" throughout the Tustin City Code. a) No Impact. The proposed code amendment will amend various sections of the Tustin City Code (TCC) to clarify, provide consistency with prior practice, and reduce ambiguity of the term "nonconforming" throughout the Tustin City Code. There is no development proposed as part of this code amendment, therefore, the project will not have the potential to significantly impact sensitive resources. 35~Page INITIAL STUDY City of Tustin b) No Impact. As discussed in response XVllla, the code amendment, as proposed, is consistent with the goals and objectives of the City's General Plan. Therefore, the project is not expected to have any cumulatively considerable impacts. c) No Impact. As demonstrated throughout this Initial Study, the proposed project will not have any significant effects considered cumulatively considerable. d) No Impact. As demonstrated throughout this Initial Study, the code amendment does not have environmental effects which will cause substantial adverse effects on human beings, either directly or indirectly. Mitigation Measures/Monitoring Required: No additional mitigation measures required Sources: 1. City of Tustin General Plan (January 16, 2001) 2. City of Tustin Zoning Code Note: Authority cited: Sections 21083 and 21083.05, Public Resources Code. Reference: Section 65088.4, Gov. Code; Sections 21080(c), 21080.1, 21080.3, 21082.1, 21083, 21083.05, 21083.3, 21093, 21094, 21095, and 21151, Public Resources Code; Sundstrom v. County of Mendocino, (1988) 202 Cal.App.3d 296; Leonoff v. Monterey Board of Supervisors, (1990} 222 Cal.App.3d 1337; Eureka Citizens for Responsible Govt. v. City of Eureka (2007) 147 Cal.App.4th 357; Protect the Historic Amador Waterways v. Amador Water Agency (2004) 116 Cal.App.4th at 1109; San Franciscans Upholding the Downtown Plan v. City and County of San Francisco (2002) 102 Cal.App.4th 656. 36~Page INITIAL STUDY City of Tustin it r1 !1' /! 1! ~. ~o~~a NFRAL PLAN Fausw le, :IM~I Figure I-~ Tustin Planning Area 37~Page