3 - The Bowery_PUBLIC COMMENT_RAMSEY

Home Browse Search

3.0 Project Description Avion Project SEIR Page 3-6 3.4.4 Site Development Permit The project includes a SDP due to impacts to Environmentally Sensitive Lands (ESL; i.e., steep slopes and sensitive biological resources). Exceptions and deviations may be allowed by the City if certain findings can be made. The project has been designed to minimize impacts to ESL, and includes landform and contour grading; preservation of most sensitive biological resources in an MHPA open space preserve; and the revegetation of slopes with native plant species. The proposed encroachment into steep slopes is within the permitted allowances under ESL, and therefore, no deviations are required. 3.4.5 MHPA Boundary Line Adjustments Adjustments to an MHPA boundary may be in cases where the new MHPA boundary results in an area of equivalent or higher biological value. The determination of the biological value of a proposed boundary change is made by the City in accordance with the MSCP Plan, with the concurrence of the Wildlife Agencies. After concurrence from the Wildlife Agencies is obtained, the MHPA boundary line adjustment must ultimately be approved through a San Diego hearing body such as the City Council. The existing MHPA boundary is shown on Figure 3-5a and the proposed MHPA boundary line adjustment is shown on Figure 3-5b. The proposed boundary line adjustment would entail the removal of 0.55 acre from the MHPA and the addition of 5.61 acres on-site (currently outside the MHPA). Land that would be incorporated into the MHPA through the boundary line adjustment consists of 4.99 acres of southern mixed chaparral, 0.49 acre of non-native grassland, and 0.13 acre of coastal sage scrub. The MHPA boundary line adjustment proposed in conjunction with the project is detailed in Section 5.1.4 of this document. 3.4.6 LAFCO Actions The Cortese-Knox-Hertzberg Act requires that LAFCO conduct reviews of all municipal services provided in each county. In 2005, the San Diego LAFCO conducted the North Central San Diego County Municipal Service Review, which comprehensively studied existing and future public service conditions and evaluated organizational options to accommodate growth, prevent urban sprawl, and ensure that critical services are provided in an efficient and cost-effective manner. The analysis, which studied OMWD, the Rancho Santa Fe Community Services District, and the City of San Diego was accompanied by a Sphere of Influence Update. The project site is located within the OMWD’s SOI and sewer service SOI. In May 2005, the San Diego LAFCO adopted the update, which was affirmed in August 2007 and June 2013. A special district may only provide those activities described in its principal act. Those services are further restricted by LAFCO’s responsibility to regulate latent powers (i.e., the services or functions authorized by the principal act, but not currently exercised by the district). Consequently, the project would require a reorganization consisting of an expansion of latent powers for sewer service and the annexation of the project site to OMWD and the district’s sewer service area. Approval of the proposed approximately 41.48-acre reorganization to the OMWD sewer service area would increase the geographic area for OMWD to exercise latent powers for sewer service and annex the same territory to OMWD (Figure 3-6).