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Home My WebLink About08 RESPONSE TO EA/DFNSI FOR ARMY RESERVE CENTERAgenda Item —8 AGENDA REPORT Reviewed: '114 Ae City Manager Finance Director TO: JEFFREY C. PARKER, CITY MANAGER 21061 1 a 0 SUBJECT: TUSTIN RESPONSE TO EA/DFNSI FOR ARMY RESERVE CENTER SUMMARY: City Council concurrence is requested for the City of Tustin's response to the Environmental Assessment (EA) and Draft Finding of No Significant Impact (DFNSI) for the proposed construction and operation of a redeveloped US Army Reserve Center at 2345 Barranca Parkway. The project includes the demolition of existing improvements, the construction of a new Army Reserve training building, two accessory buildings, site improvements, and a land exchange with The District at Tustin Legacy. That the City Council direct staff to forward the attached response letter to the Army Reserve. FISCAL IMPACT: There are no fiscal impacts associated with this action. BACKGROUND AND DISCUSSION: The project includes a new 68,696 square-foot Army Reserve training building, a 9,795 square-foot maintenance shop, a 4,708 square-foot storage building, general site improvements, fencing, and utility extensions. Existing buildings and parking areas would be demolished. Also proposed is a land exchange of three acres with Vestar/Kimco Tustin, L.P., the owners of The District at Tustin Legacy. The purpose of the proposed land exchange is to provide greater setbacks for the proposed Army Reserve training building and to provide a parking area for patrons of The District at Tustin Legacy that is closer to the shopping center buildings. City Council Report EA and DFNSI — US Army Reserve Center December 18, 2012 Page 2 City staff has reviewed the subject EA and DFNSI. Based on concerns related to alternatives, utilities, land use, geology, visual resources, and hazardous materials, staff believes that it is in the City's interest to be on record regarding this matter and has prepared correspondence expressing the City's concerns regarding the EA and DFNSI documents (see Attachment). Staff requests that the Tustin City Council review and consider these comments and, if acceptable, concur with their formal transmittal to the US Army Reserve. Scott Reekstin Senior Planner Attachment: Draft Comment Response Letter S:\Cdd\CCReports\2012\EA and Draft FNSI for Army Reserve Center.doc 4 / t"'t s, Elizabeth A. Binsack Community Development Director December 19, 2012 63D Regional Support Command AFRC- SCA -PWE (Carmen Call) P.O. Box 63 Moffett Field, CA 94035 -0063 SUBJECT: REVIEW OF THE ENVIRONMENTAL ASSESSMENT AND DRAFT FINDING OF NO SIGNIFICANT IMPACT FOR THE US ARMY RESERVE CENTER Dear Ms. Call: Thank you for the opportunity to provide comments on the Environmental Assessment (EA) and Draft Finding of No Significant Impact (DFNSI) for the proposed construction and operation of a redeveloped US Army Reserve Center (USARC) at 2345 Barranca Parkway. The proposed facilities include a 68,696 square -foot Army Reserve training building, a 9,795 square -foot maintenance shop, a 4,708 square -foot storage building, general site improvements, fencing, and utility extensions. Existing buildings and parking areas would be demolished. Also proposed is a land exchange of three acres with Vestar /Kimco Tustin, L.P. The City of Tustin offers the following comments: Alternatives • While it is noted on page 2 of the EA that 17 sites were identified by the City of Tustin and Vestar, with only 2 of the 17 sites meeting the USAR's standards for a potential Real Property Exchange and ultimately being determined as unacceptable sites, the City and Vestar continue to desire to complete a mutually beneficial Real Property Exchange with the USAR. The City urges the USAR to consider another City -owned property located within the Tustin Legacy development (former MCAS Tustin) at the northeast corner of Red Hill Avenue and Warner Avenue, less than one mile from the existing USARC. The site would meet the USAR's criteria for size, distance, and site conditions. The City formally requests a meeting with the USAR to discuss their consideration of the proposed City -owned site. Energy and Utilities • It is stated in the EA that the Army Reserve will coordinate with the public utilities and that the project would not result in any impacts to utility services. Currently there are public and private utilities located within the parcel that is proposed to be transferred from Vestar /Kimco Tustin, L.P. to the Army Reserve, including a water line, sewer line, storm drain, and water quality facilities. To ensure that there are no significant impacts to utilities, the EA should identify and evaluate these US Army Reserve Center EA and DFNSI December 19, 2012 Page 2 facilities and address a program for the continued operation and maintenance of these facilities, or the possible relocation of these facilities outside of the Army Reserve site. Land Use The Army Reserve Center site is located within Tustin Legacy and is zoned as MCAS Tustin Specific Plan (SP -1). The parcels identified in the EA are within Neighborhood F and Planning Areas 17 and 18 of the SP -1. The existing Army Reserve Center is located within Planning Area 18, in which government facilities are listed as permitted uses. However, government facilities are not listed as permitted or conditionally permitted in Planning Area 17. The City recommends that the Army Reserve submit plans for review and comments by the City, including a Concept Plan, Site Plan, and Design Review, pursuant to Section 4.2.4 of the SP -1. In addition, to ensure compliance with federal and state clean water acts and water quality standards, the City requests that a water quality management plan, grading plans, and hydrology /drainage plans be submitted to the City for review and approval. Geology, Soils, and Topography The EA acknowledges that the soils underlying the property consist of deep, slightly poorly drained, moderately permeable soils. The project site is located within an area of high to very high expansivity. Therefore, appropriate remedial measures should be evaluated to address the condition of the soils. Visual Resources • In Section 3.9.3 of the EA the statement is made that vegetative screens could be installed if they do not interfere with antiterrorism or force protection requirements. Landscaping consistent with the existing landscape theme used at The District at Tustin Legacy should be considered adjacent to the proposed military equipment parking area and along Barranca Parkway and Tustin Ranch Road to minimize the potential visual impacts of the proposed project to its surroundings. The type of fence proposed for the perimeter of the site is not specifically described in the EA. The perimeter fence should be made of wrought iron or other similar decorative material rather than chain link or barbed wire to be consistent with the fence material used at The District at Tustin Legacy, and pursuant to Section 6.03 of the Tustin Army Reserve Agreement between the United States of America and the City of Tustin, executed September 21, 2000. Hazardous Materials The EA notes that "de minimis" hazardous wastes are expected to be generated during demolition and construction and that impacted soil or groundwater will be addressed in accordance with federal, state, and local regulations. The evaluation and mitigation of hazardous materials US Army Reserve Center EA and DFNSI December 19, 2012 Page 3 associated with former Marine Corps Air Station, Tustin operations should be conducted and should include, but not be limited to, lead -based paint, asbestos - containing materials, petroleum hydrocarbons, pesticides, and other chemicals associated with armory activities to ensure the safety of surrounding properties and individuals. • The project proposes a land transfer between the Army Reserve and Vestar /Kimco Tustin, L.P. The conveyance of property from the Army Reserve to any non - federal entity should be preceded by a Finding of Suitability to Transfer (FOST), or other authorized /approved determination that the property is safe for private use. Evidence that such documentation has been prepared and approved should be presented in the EA. The City of Tustin appreciates the opportunity to provide comments on this project. If you have any questions regarding the City's comments, please call Scott Reekstin, Senior Planner, at (714) S73 -3016. Sincerely, Elizabeth A. Binsack Community Development Director cc: Jeff C. Parker Doug Stack John Buchanan Matt West Dana Ogdon Justina Willkom Scott Reekstin SR:environmentaNArmy Reserve Center EA and Draft FNSI Comment Letter.doc