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HomeMy WebLinkAboutPC RES 2204 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 2i 25 26 27 28 RESOLUTION NO. 2204 A RESOLUTION OF THE PLANNING COMMISSION OF THE CITY OF TUSTIN, CALIFORNIA, RECOMMENDING CERTIFICATION OF DRAFT ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT REPORT (EIR) 84-2 AND AMENDMENTS, AS FINAL EIR 84-2 The Planning Commission of the City of Tustin, California does hereby resolve as follows: I. The Planning Commission finds and determines as follows: Am That an Environmental Impact Report would be required due to potential effects identified in an initial questionnaire done for the proposed Tustin Auto Center. Be That a Draft Environmental Impact Report for the proposed project has been prepared by Michael Brandman Associates, for the City of Tustin. C. That distribution of the Draft EIR w. as made to interested oublic and private agencies with a solicitation of comments and evaluation. D. That a public hearing was duly called, noticed and held on the Draft EIR. That incorporated within the Draft EIR are the comments of the public, commissions, staff and responsible agencies. F. That the Draft EIR and amendments were p~'epared in compliance with the California Environmental Quality Act, State guidelines and the policies of the City of Tustin. Ge That the subject Draft EIR has been reviewed by staff, and represent their independent evaluations and analysis. He That the Draft EIR and amendments have been reviewed and considered, and that mitigation measures have been incorporated into the project that eliminate or substantially lessened the significant environmental effects there of as identified in Draft EIR and amendments; and it is determined that any remaining significant effects on the environment found to be unavoidable are hereby found to be acceptable by the inclusion of a statement of overriding considerations. This statement and all environmental effects and mitigating measures are listed in the attached document, Exhibit "A". Mitigation measures are specified as conditions contained in this resolution. 6 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 I I 2¢ 27 28 Planning Commission Resolution No. 2204 page two II. The Planning Commission of the City of Tustin does herby recommend certification of Draft EIR 84-2, plus amendments' as a final EIR 84-2 to the City Council. PASSED ~)N~ ADOPTED at a/~egular meeting of the Planninq Commission, held on the 14th day of January 1985 ..- DONNA ORR Recording Secretary ~ONALD H. WHI~E ''' Ch a i rman HXHIBrr A Environmental lmp~et ~ As ~ by C EQA and the City of Tustin Tustin Auto Center glR 84-2 January 14, 1985 Pursuant to the California Environmental Quality Act of 1970, as amended, and in accordance with the City of Tustin guidelines, as amended, this document presents the findings and a brief explanation of the rationale for each finding required for approval of the proposed project. The Planning Commission of the City of Tustin does hereby find that e_hanges or alterations have been required in~ or incorporated into~ the project which avoid or substantially mitigate the significant adverse impacts identified in the final ErR as specifically itemized below. A. Water Resources Impacts: The site is currently subject to flooding ranging in depth from one to three feet resulting from the inability of regional drainage facilities to convey 100-year flood flows. Findings: The project includes the construction of an earthen berm extending from an existing berm to the west of the project site and wrapping around the project site to protect the project from flooding. This berm will protect the site without significantly altering existing drainage and flooding patterns in the vicinity of the project. Impacts: Short-term degradation of surface water quality will occur during grading and initial construction activities. Findings: A plan for site control of all storm runoff from the property during construction will be prepared and submitted to the City of Tustin prior to the issuance of any grading permits. Impacts: On-site runoff volumes and velocities will increase and the on-site drainage pattern will be altered. Findings: An on-site drainage plan will be submitted to the City of Tustin for approval prior to the recordation of the final parcel map. Methods for controlling the velocity and direction of runoff will be incorporated into the project design. Impacts: Development of the site will effect a long-term change in runoff quality from agricultural pollutants to urban pollutants. Findings: This impact will be partially reduced by the implementation of appropriate stormwater pollution control plans and periodic cleaning of storm drains. Resolution No. Page 2 B. Land Use and Aesthetics Impacts.. The project is not consistent with the existing general plan and zoning designations for the site and surrounding areas. Findings: A general plan amendment and zone change are proposed as part of the project. The project design and performance standards included in the Tustin Auto Center Planned Community Regulations will ensure that the proposed project is compatible with land uses planned for areas adjacent to and near the project site. Impacts: Implementation of the proposed project would result in the introduction of high intensity night lighting in the East Tustin area. Findings: The Tustin Auto Center Planned Community Regulations contain lighting performance standards stipulating the type of lighting which may be used, the maximum height of each fixture, and the allowable wattage per square foot. Only sharp cut-off fixtures at a maximum height of 20 feet are allowed, thereby localizing light and glare impacts. C. Transportation/Circulation Impacts: The proposed project will contribute a small increment to an existing and projected cumulative traffic impact at several intersections in the area. The project will generate 8,205 ADT and 845 p.m. peak hour trips. Traffic from the project will incrementally worsen traffic conditions at the Red Hill Avenue/I-5 ramps and the intersections of Red Hill Avenue and Irvine Boulevard and Red Hill Avenue and Laguna Road. Findings: Construction of the Jamboree Road/I-5 interchange will provide substantial mitigation of project related traffic impacts by directing project related and other traffic from Red Hill Avenue. The Jamboree Road/I-5 interchange has been committed by the City of Tustin as a locally funded project (Tustin City Council Resolution No. 84-65). D. Noise Impacts: Activities at the auto center facilities will increase overall ambient noise levels in the area by a few decibels. The number of individually audible and potentially intrusive traffic noise events will increase as a result of the auto center development. Resolution No. Page 3 Findings: Impacts: Findings: Impacts: Findings'. Air Quality Impacts: Findings.. Impacts.- Findings: The Tustin Center Planned Community Regulations contain operational performance standards which will mitigate noise impacts to an insignificant level. Other recommended operational and site planning measures win also reduce project impacts. Short-term noise impacts will occur during project construction. Compliance with city noise standards regarding hours of operation and the use of muffled construction equipment will minimize construction noise impacts. The project site is exposed to noise impacts from the Santa Ana Freeway. Over one-half of the project site is exposed to freeway noise levels in excess of the City of Tustin's noise objective of $5 CNEL for commercial land uses. The project design incorporates a wall of at least eight feet in height along this edge. This wall will serve to attenuate noise from the freeway and win reduce on-site noise leveis to acceptable levels. Short-term increases in dust and exhaust emission will occur in the vicinity of the project during eonstrue~tion. Compliance with Rule 403 of the SCAQMD Rules and Regulations and wetting of graded areas will mitigate fugitive dust emissions during construction. Long-term regional increases in mobile and stationary-source emissions will result due to the increase in motor vehicle and energy usage. The proposed project includes bicycle and pedestrian facilities provided to reduce motor vehicle usage. Sidewalks will be provided along Jamboree and Laguna Road and on an internal roads. Ail roadways being constructed as a part of the project have sufficient width to anow for bicycle lanes. Resolution No. Page 4 . The Planning Commission of the City of Tustin further finds that although changes~ alterations~ or conditions have been incorporated into the project which will substantially mitigate or avoid significant effects identified in the final EIR~ certain of the significant effects cannot be mitigated to fully aeceDtabie levels. The remaining impacts identified below may continue to be of significant adverse impact even when all known feasible and identified mitigation measures are applied. A. Project implementation will result in the termination of on-site agricultural production and the loss of 60 acres of "Farmland of Stat,wide Importance" as identified by the California State Department of Conservation. Findings: The project is currently committed to non-agricultural use. The Tustin General Plan Land Use Element currently designates the site for urban (residential) land use. The existence of an Irvine Ranch Water District improvement finance district and the issuance of bonds to finance urban level water and sewer improvements for the project site and surrounding areas further indicates the existing commitment to urban development of this area. There are no economically or physically feasible measures available to mitigate this impact. B. The proposed project will generate approximately 8,205 ADT and 845 P.M. peak hour trips. Traffic from the project will incrementally worsen traffic conditions at the Red Hill Avenue fi-5 ramps and the intersections of Red Hill Avenue and Irvine Boulevard, and Red Hill Avenue and Laguna Road. Findings: Construction of the Jamboree Road/I-5 interchange will provide substantial mitigation of project related traffic impacts by diverting project related and other traffic from Red Hill Avenue. The Jamboree Road fi-5 interchange has been committed by the City of Tustin as a locally funded project (Tustin City Council Resolution No. 84-65). Prior to construction of the interchange, the State Department of Transportation must approve connection of the interchange to the state freeway system and the City of Tustin must select and institute a mechanism to finance construction of the interchange. Until such time as these approvals and actions are taken and the interchange is constructed, traffic generated by the project will adversely impact operating conditions at the Red Hill Avenue/I-5 ramps and the intersections of Red Hill Avenue and Irvine Boulevard, and Red Hill Avenue and Laguna Road. Resolution No. Page 5 . Co The project site is located within the Eastern Corridor study area and approval and construction of the auto center project prior to completion of the route location study could influence the study by eliminating some potential alternative alignments of the corridor. Findings: The City of Tustin will participate in the Eastern Transportation Corridor Study and cooperate with the County of Orange and the other local agencies involved and affected by the study. It is not considered economically feasible to delay approval and implementation of the project until the corridor study is completed. D. Short-term construction equipment emissions and long-term mobile and stationary emissions will occur with project implementation creating an adverse impact on the air quality of the South Coast Air Basin. Findings: As with any urban development project, air quality impacts cannot be completely mitigated. In approving the project, subject to the conditions and mitigation measures set forth, the city has done all that is technically and reasonably possible at the municipal level. E. Increased demand for limiting regional water resources. Findings: The project necessitates increased water use and, therefore, increased demand for regional imported water. This impact cannot be mitigated on an individual project basis although the city will require implementation of all feasible conservation measures. F. Increased long-term demand for finite fossil fuel resources resulting from pr.jeer electrical and natural gas requirements. Findings: The project necessitates an increased cumulative demand for finite fuel resources. Although servicing agencies anticipate adequate fuel supplies for the project, the long-term demand for fossil fuel resources will be unavoidably increased. The Planning Commission ,of the City of Tustin does hereby find that certain changes or alterations (e.g., mitigation measures) required in or incorporated into the project are within the responsibility and jurisdiction of a public agency other than the City of Tustin and can or should be adopted by the respective agency as itemized below: A. California Department of Transportation: Approval of the connection of the Jamboree Road/I-5 interchange to the state freeway system. Resolution No. Page 6 . The Planning Commission of the City of Tustin has weighed the benefits of the proposed project against its unavoidable environmental risks in determining whether to approve said project. The Planning Commission does hereby further find~ determine~ and state~ pursuant to the provisions of Section 15093 of the state CEQA Guidelines~ that the occurrence of the certain significant environmental effects identified in the final EIR and set forth in paragraph 2 above~ have been evaluated against the following overriding considerations: A. The project will result in the following substantial economic, social, and environmental benefits to the City of Tustin and surrounding areas: (1) At build-out, the project is anticipated to yield a positive annual fiscal surplus of $1,306,200 to the city's general fund. Total annual revenues are projected at $1,414,700 and total costs at $108,500. (2) The consolidation of auto dealerships in one location will result in less vehicle miles traveled than would be typical of a strip pattern of auto dealerships. This fact is reflected in the trip generation rates for the Irvine Auto Center, a similar type of development, which are considerably lower per acre than the observed rates for individual auto dealers. (3) The proposed project will provide improvements to the local circulation system consisting of the extension of Laguna and Jamboree Roads. B. The following economic and social considerations make the project alternatives identified in the final EIR infeasible. (1) The "No Project" alternative is rejected because it fails to meet the objectives set forth for the project, particularly the objectives of providing an increased revenue base to the city and creating a development which provides for a range of auto-related uses to serve the City of Tustin and surrounding communities. (2) The "Existing General Plan" alternative is rejected because it fails to meet the objectives set forth for the project, particularly the objectives of providing an increased revenue base to the city and creating a development which provides for a range of auto-related uses to serve the City of Tustin and surrounding communities. (3) The "Residential Development at Ten Dwelling Units to the Acre" alternative is rejected because it fails to meet the objectives set forth for the project, particularly the objectives of providing an increased revenue base to the city and creating a development which provides for a range of auto-related uses to serve the City of Tustin and surrounding communities. Resolution No. Page 7 (4) The "Alternative Locations~ alternative is rejected because development of the proposed project on the other available sites in the city would result in greater environmental impacts than would development of the project on the proposed site. STATE OF CALIFORNIA) COUNTY OF ORANGE ) CITY OF TUST I ti ) I, DONNA. ORR, the undersigned, hereby certify that I am the Recording Secretary of the Planning Commiss~onof, the City of Tustin, California; that Resolution No. ~~ ~m was duly passed and adopte~t.~t a regula~meeting of l~he Tush;in Planning Commission, held on the /~ Recording Secretary