|
Cabrillo at First Mixed-Use Residential
<br /> Air Quality, Global Climate Change, HRA, and Energy Impact Analysis
<br /> 16 19386
<br />Air Quality Guidance Documents
<br />
<br />SCAQMD CEQA Handbook
<br />
<br />Although the SCAQMD is responsible for regional air quality planning efforts, it does not have the authority
<br />to directly regulate air quality issues associated with plans and new development projects throughout the
<br />South Coast Air Basin. Instead, this is controlled through local jurisdictions in accordance with the California
<br />Environmental Quality Act (CEQA). In order to assist local jurisdictions with air quality compliance issues the
<br />CEQA Air Quality Handbook (SCAQMD CEQA Handbook) prepared by the SCAQMD (1993) with the most
<br />current updates found at http://www.aqmd.gov/ceqa/hdbk.html, was developed in accordance with the
<br />projections and programs of the AQMP. The purpose of the SCAQMD CEQA Handbook is to assist Lead
<br />Agencies, as well as consultants, project proponents, and other interested parties in evaluating a proposed
<br />project’s potential air quality impacts. Specifically, the SCAQMD CEQA Handbook explains the procedures
<br />that the SCAQMD recommends be followed for the environmental review process required by CEQA. The
<br />SCAQMD CEQA Handbook provides direction on how to evaluate potential air quality impacts, how to
<br />determine whether these impacts are significant, and how to mitigate these impacts. SCAQMD is in the
<br />process of developing an "Air Quality Analysis Guidance Handbook" to replace the CEQA Air Quality
<br />Handbook approved by the AQMD Governing Board in 1993. The 1993 CEQA Air Quality Handbook is still
<br />available but not online. In addition, there are sections of the 1993 Handbook that are obsolete. In order to
<br />assist the CEQA practitioner in conducting an air quality analysis while the new Handbook is being prepared,
<br />supplemental information regarding: significance thresholds and analysis, emissions factors, cumulative
<br />impacts emissions analysis, and other useful subjects, are available at the SCAQMD website2. The SCAQMD
<br />CEQA Handbook and supplemental information is used in this analysis.
<br />
<br />Southern California Association of Governments
<br />
<br />The SCAG is the regional planning agency for Los Angeles, Orange, Ventura, Riverside, San Bernardino and
<br />Imperial Counties and addresses regional issues relating to transportation, the economy, community
<br />development and the environment. SCAG is the Federally designated MPO for the majority of the southern
<br />California region and is the largest MPO in the nation. With respect to air quality planning, SCAG has prepared
<br />the Regional Transportation Plan and Regional Transportation Improvement Plan (RTIP), which addresses
<br />regional development and growth forecasts. These plans form the basis for the land use and transportation
<br />components of the AQMP, which are utilized in the preparation of air quality forecasts and in the consistency
<br />analysis included in the AQMP. The Regional Transportation Plan, Regional Transportation Improvement Plan,
<br />and AQMP are based on projections originating within the City and County General Plans.
<br />
<br />On April 7, 2016, SCAG’s Regional Council adopted the 2016-2040 Regional Transportation Plan/ Sustainable
<br />Communities Strategy (2016 RTP/SCS or Plan). The Plan is a long-range visioning plan that balances future
<br />mobility and housing needs with economic, environmental and public health goals. The Plan charts a course
<br />for closely integrating land use and transportation – so that the region can grow smartly and sustainably. It
<br />outlines more than $556.5 billion in transportation system investments through 2040. The Plan was prepared
<br />through a collaborative, continuous, and comprehensive process with input from local governments, county
<br />transportation commissions, tribal governments, non-profit organizations, businesses and local stakeholders
<br />within the counties of Imperial, Los Angeles, Orange, Riverside, San Bernardino and Ventura. In June 2016,
<br />SCAG received its conformity determination from the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) and the
<br />Federal Transit Administration (FTA) indicating that all air quality conformity requirements for the 2016
<br />RTP/SCS and associated 2015 FTIP Consistency Amendment through Amendment 15-12 have been met.
<br />
<br />On May 7, 2020, SCAG’s Regional Council adopted Connect SoCal (2020 - 2045 Regional Transportation
<br />Plan/Sustainable Communities Strategy) for federal transportation conformity purposes only. In light of the
<br />COVID-19 pandemic, the Regional Council will consider approval of Connect SoCal in its entirety and for all
<br />other purposes within 120 days from May 7, 2020. Connect SoCal is a long-range visioning plan that builds
<br />
<br />2 http://www.aqmd.gov/home/regulations/ceqa/air-quality-analysis-handbook.
<br />166/27/2022
<br />Planning Commission 2 –69
|