2019-047 - Adopting Mitigated Negative Declaration Environmental Review No. 2018-75

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The headlights from cars entering and leaving the site would, like the current condition, be visible after dark. However, the project would increase the amount of light that is generated by cars entering and leaving the site compared to the existing condition. The main project entrance is at Sunflower Avenue near the middle of the site. The headlights of the cars leaving the project at night would shine directly south towards The Enclave apartment development south of Sunflower Avenue. The car headlights would not directly shine into the apartments south of the site because there is landscaping, an existing six-foot block wall and garages between the cars exiting the project and the apartment units of The Enclave. Therefore, the residents south of the project would not be significantly impacted by the headlights of cars exiting the site at the main driveway on Sunflower Avenue. The interior and exterior lights of the proposed apartment building and the parking structure would increase the intensity of lighting currently on the site. Due to the height of the proposed apartment building and parking structure and the increase in intensity compared to the existing church there would be a significant increase in on -site lighting. Although there is high density residential development in the immediate project vicinity associated with The Enclave and The Avenue of the Arts multi -family developments south of the site, the project would increase the intensity of lighting on the north side of Sunflower Avenue adjacent to smaller scale and less dense multi -family development that could be noticeable to some existing residents in close proximity to the project. Glare is currently generated by metal surfaces and windows of the existing church and cars that are parked in the on -site parking lot. Off -site glare is generated by existing residential units and the Taft Elementary school adjacent to the site associated with metal building surfaces, windows and automobiles. Therefore, glare exists and is not unique to the project area. The project would generate more glare compared to the glare that is currently generated from the site due to metal surfaces of the residential building, parking structure and windows of the residential units. The South Coast Plaza Town Center Master Plan, which is south of the project, is located east of Bristol Street, north of the 1-405 freeway and south of Sunflower Avenue in the City of Costa Mesa. There are more than fourteen buildings in the Town Center Master Plan that are greater than 8 stories in height with multiple buildings greater than 14 stories in height. Several of the existing office buildings in the Town Center Master Plan have mirrored panels that reflect light and generate glare when the sun is shinning. Therefore, glare is not new to the general project area. While the light and glare that would be generated by the project would be noticeable compared to the existing condition, it is not anticipated the light and glare would significantly impact the existing residents adjacent to the project site. The light and glare generated by the project would not be significantly brighter or more intense than the light and glare that is generated by The Enclave and Avenue of the Arts residential projects because the project is similarly designed in that the project does not have large glass panels that would generate a significant amount of glare or allow interior apartment lights to be visibly noticeable. The City does not allow flood lighting and all project lighting and glare must meet and comply with Santa Ana Municipal Code Section 8-210 (1)(m)(n)(o) that designate the intensity of lighting allowed for the project. Project compliance with the lighting requirements of the Santa Ana Municipal Code would reduce light and glare impacts to less than significant. 11. AGRICULTURE AND FORESTRY RESOURCES: 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 Legacy Sunflower Apartments Page 31 Mitigated Negative Declaration — March 14, 2019