2020-065 - Adopting Environmental Findings of Fact

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The Warner Redhill Mixed -Use Project CEQA Findings of Fact MTCO2e annually per service population. This would exceed the SCAQMD Tier 3 screening threshold of 3,000 MTCO2e and exceed the SCAQMD Tier 4/City CAP threshold of 3.16 MTCO2e per service population. Therefore, impacts related to GHG emissions would be significant and unavoidable. Impact Finding: The Project would conflict with an applicable plan, policy, or regulation adopted for the purpose of reducing the emissions of greenhouse gases (Draft EIR at p. 5.6-14). Facts in Support of Findings: The proposed Project consists of an infill redevelopment project that would help to meet housing demands from projected growth in the region while helping to improve the jobs to housing balance (detailed in Draft EIR Section 5.11, Population and Housing), which has the potential to reduce GHG emissions from the reduction of vehicle miles traveled. The proposed Project provides for pedestrian infrastructure, such as sidewalks that connect to off -site sidewalks to promote non -vehicular transportation and reduce the vehicle miles traveled and related GHG emissions. In addition, the Project site is adjacent to existing bus routes and bicycle lanes. Providing a mixed -use development in such a location is consistent with the intent of the AB 32 Scoping Plan and SB 375, which is focused on changing land use patterns and improving transportation alternatives. The proposed Project would be implemented pursuant to the 2019 CALGreen Building/Title 24 requirements, and provide new land uses in a sustainable manner. The City's administration of the Title 24 requirements includes review of proposed energy conservation measures during the permitting process, which ensures that all requirements are met. In complying with the 2019 Title 24 standards, the Project would be implementing regulations that reduce GHG emissions. Also, the CARB Scoping Plans recommend strategies for implementation at the statewide level to meet the goals of AB 32 and SB 32. The proposed Project would be consistent with the applicable measures established in the 2008 CARB Scoping Plan, as shown in Draft EIR Table 5.6-4, page 5.6-14, Section 5.6, Greenhouse Gas Emissions. The 2017 Scoping Plan Update reflects the 2030 target of a 40 percent reduction below 1990 levels, set by Executive Order B- 30-15 and codified by SB 32. Draft EIR Table 5.6-5, page 5.6-15, Section 5.6, Greenhouse Gas Emissions summarizes the Project's consistency with the 2017 Scoping Plan, which shows that the Project would not conflict with any of the provisions of the 2017 Scoping Plan. The City of Santa Ana's CAP includes reduction measures that would help the City achieve its emissions reduction goal, which is consistent with the statewide goals identified. The proposed Project is consistent with City's CAP strategy of locating new mixed -use development within employment corridors to create a more optimal mix of land uses and reduce vehicle miles traveled. The proposed Project would be consistent with the relevant measures of the City's CAP as described in Draft EIR Table 5.6-6, page 5.6-19, Section 5.6, Greenhouse Gas Emissions. However, as described previously, the GHG emissions from the Project would exceed the SCAQMD Tier 3 screening threshold of 3,000 MTCO2e and exceed the SCAQMD Tier 4/City CAP threshold of 3.16 MTCO2e per service population. As described previously, approximately 60 percent of the GHG emissions would be generated by vehicle trips. Neither the Project Applicant nor the City of Santa Ana can substantively or City of Santa Ana 52 May 2020