2020-065 - Adopting Environmental Findings of Fact

Home Browse Search

The Werner Redhill Mixed -Use Project CEQA Findings of Fact VMT/SP above 15 percent below the Countywide Average. Thus, direct Project impacts related to VMT would be less than significant. In addition, the City's screening criteria for VMT cumulative impacts, include project consistency with the RTP/SCS or results in an increase in VMT within the City. As shown on Final EIR Transportation Section Table 4.14-13, the Project results in a net decrease in VMT. Also, Table 5.14-14 shows that the Project's VMT/SP is approximately 22 percent lower than the cumulative VMT/SP for the City. Therefore, the Project would not result in a negative effect on VMT/SP at the citywide level, and cumulative impacts would be less than significant. Impact Finding: The Project would not substantially increase hazards due to a geometric design feature (e.g., sharp curves or dangerous intersections) or incompatible uses (e.g., farm equipment) (Draft EIR at p. 5.14-23). Facts in Support of Findings: The Project includes development of mixed uses that include residential, retail/restaurant commercial, and open space recreation. The Project includes community type uses and does not include any incompatible uses, such as farm equipment. The proposed Project would be accessed from one driveway on Red Hill Avenue and two driveways on Warner Avenue that provide direct access to parking areas. The Project would also not increase any hazards related to a design feature. All of the proposed improvements would be required to be installed in conformance with City design standards. The City's construction permitting process includes review Project site plans to ensure that no potentially hazardous transportation design features would be introduced by the Project. For example, sight distance at each Project driveway would be reviewed for conformance with City of Santa Ana sight distance standards at the time of permitting approvals for grading, landscape, onsite circulation construction, and street improvement plans. As a result, impacts related to vehicular circulation design features would be less than significant. Impact Finding: The Project would not result in inadequate emergency access (Draft EIR at p. 5.14-23). Facts in Support of Findings: Construction: The proposed construction activities, including equipment and supply staging and storage, would occur within and adjacent to the Project area and would not restrict access of emergency vehicles to the Project site or adjacent areas. The roadway improvements and installation of driveways that would be implemented during construction of the proposed Project could require the temporary closure of travel lanes, but full roadway closure and traffic detours are not expected to be necessary. However, construction activities may temporarily restrict. vehicular traffic that could increase hazards. Therefore, the construction activities would be required to implement measures to facilitate the passage of persons and vehicles through/around any required temporary road restrictions, and ensure the safety of passage in accordance with Section 503 of the California Fire Code (Title 24, California Code of Regulations, Part 9) and the City of Santa Ana Fire Code included as Municipal Code Chapter 14, which would be ensured through the City's permitting process. Thus, implementation of the Project through the City's permitting process would ensure existing regulations are adhered to and would reduce potential construction related emergency access impacts to a less than significant level. City of Santa Ana 36 May 2020