3 - The Bowery - Laserfiche WebLink

Home Browse Search

The Bowery Mixed-Use Project CEQA Findings of Fact City of Santa Ana 11 May 2020 Operation Once operational, the mixed-use Project would generate demand for electricity, natural gas, as well as gasoline for motor vehicle trips. Operational use of energy includes the heating, cooling, and lighting of buildings, water heating, operation of electrical systems and plug-in appliances within buildings, parking lot and outdoor lighting, and the transport of electricity, natural gas, and water to the areas where they would be consumed. Draft EIR pages 5.4-8 and 5.4-9 detail that operation of the proposed Project is estimated to result in the annual use of 1,236,920 gallons of fuel. In addition, the proposed Project would use approximately 29,255,440 thousand British thermal units (kBTU) per year of natural gas, and approximately 12,721,140 kilowatt-hour (kWh) per year of electricity. The proposed mixed-use development would be required to meet the current Title 24 energy efficiency standards. The City’s administration of the Title 24 requirements and the City’s Climate Action Plan includes review of design components and energy conservation measures that occurs during the permitting process, which ensures that all requirements are met. Typical Title 24 measures include insulation; use of energy-efficient heating, ventilation and air conditioning equipment (HVAC); solar-reflective roofing materials; energy-efficient indoor and outdoor lighting systems; reclamation of heat rejection from refrigeration equipment to generate hot water; and incorporation of skylights, etc. In complying with the Title 24 standards, impacts to peak energy usage periods would be minimized, and impacts on statewide and regional energy needs would be reduced. All development is required to comply with the adopted California Energy Code (Code of Regulations, Title 24 Part 6). The Project would consist of an urban infill redevelopment that would provide mixed residential and commercial (retail/restaurant) uses. Since it would be undertaken on a currently developed and underutilized site, and would be located near existing off-site employment, commercial, residential, and retail destinations and in proximity to existing public bus stops and freeways, which would result in reduced vehicle trips and Vehicle Miles Traveled (VMT) in comparison to a Project of similar size and land without close access to employment, service, and retail, destinations; in addition to public transit and freeways. In addition, the Project site is within an area where existing infrastructure would provide for efficient delivery of electricity and natural gas to the Project and the Project would not inhibit the development of other alternative energy sources. Furthermore, other existing and future regulations are likely to result in more efficient use of all types of energy, and reduction in reliance on non- renewable sources of energy. These include the federal Energy Independence and Security Act, the state Long Term Energy Efficiency Strategic Plan, SB 350 and AB 1007, which are designed to reduce reliance on non-renewable energy resources and reduce demand by providing federal tax credits for purchasing fuel-efficient items and improving the renewable fuel, appliance, and lighting standards. Thus, operation of the proposed Project would not use large amounts of energy or fuel in a wasteful, inefficient, or unnecessary manner, and impacts would be less than significant. Impact Finding: The Project would not conflict with or obstruct a state or local plan for renewable energy or energy efficiency. Facts in Support of Findings: The proposed Project would be required to meet the CCR Title 24 energy efficiency standards in effect during permitting of the Project. The City’s administration of the CCR Title 24 requirements includes review of design components and energy conservation 3-33