CORRESPONDENCE - 75E (GENERAL COMMENTS)

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speed and failure to stop at stop signs, to name just two. Table 4.11-4: Existing Neighborhood Roadway Segment Levels of Service does not adequately address these important concerns. 4.7.6 Environmental Impacts—Zoning Code The draft EIR concludes that there would be no impact from the proposed zoning change of existing P (Professional) to SD (Specific Designation). The project would reduce the set-back from existing single - family residences immediately adjacent to the east from 50 feet to 40 feet. This minimal set-back of 40 feet would not mitigate the visual impact. Magnolia's buildings will be up to five stories at a height of nearly 66 feet, and an eight-story parking structure of 90 feet in height. While some buildings closest to the set-back would be two stories at a height of 25 feet, the bulk and massive scale would nonetheless be a significant change from the current structure. Moreover, the buildings in the north-eastern edge of Magnolia, adjacent to single family residences on Spurgeon Street as it curves to Virginia Avenue, are comprised of five stories. (See images on page 4.) The fact that there are already taller buildings further north on Main Street is immaterial to the impact of Magnolia because these buildings are commercial use and are not immediately adjacent to Park Santiago. 4.8.2 Environmental Impacts - Impact NO1-1: 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 - Construction The draft EIR does not include any measurements of the noise impact to the immediately adjacent homes on Spurgeon Street, Virginia Avenue, Bush Street, and Edgewood Road. The final EIR should include a study of construction and occupancy noise impact to these immediately adjacent residential streets. Table 4.11-4: Existing Neighborhood Roadway Segment Levels of Service and Figure 4 .11-2: Neighborhood Intersections and Roadway Segment There is no mention of the railroad crossings at Santa Clara Avenue and at 17Th Street. Metrolink and other trains can cause significant delays in east/west bound traffic on these streets. Further, a Walmart store is planning to occupy the vacant shopping center at Grand Avenue and 17`h Street. Impact from the trains and the increase in traffic generated by the new store needs to be addressed in the final EIR because of the considerable surge in daily trips through Park Santiago and on local streets, which will be above the estimated 2,698 additional daily trips. 4,11.6 Environmental Impacts The Project Description indicates three options to access Magnolia's parking garage. Option A: Access on N. Main Street Only, will have a driveway on Edgewood Road to be used for postal and commercial deliveries, and waste management trucks. The Main Street access will create a significant impediment to the flow of traffic, as cars travelling northbound on Main Street would slow to a near stop to enter the parking garage, creating more congestion on an already congested street and nearby freeway egress. Additionally, the utility driveway to be used by waste management and other utility vehicles which would run the length of the east side of the project would create significant disruption to the peace of the adjacent homes on Spurgeon Street. The final EIR should address these impacts. Option B: Santiago Park-Walkie Way and N. Main Street Project Access would provide access to Magnolia's parking garage from Santiago Park/Walkie Way. The existing signal at Walkie Way, which is currently only occasionally active, would become a significant impediment to already severely congested traffic on Main Street, particularly at morning and evening peak times. This option would also irreversibly harm Santiago Park and would degrade the quality of the park's environment. The final EIR should further study this.