Item 26 - Public Hearing Vista Heritage Charter School (601 North Fairview Street)

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Vista Heritage Charter School (601 North Fairview Street) January 16, 2024 Page 10 Class 1 exemption applies to the operation, repair, maintenance, permitting, leasing, licensing, or minor alteration of existing public or private structures, facilities, mechanical equipment, or topographical features, involving negligible or no expansion of existing or former use as determined by the lead agency. The subject project is proposing the change of use of an existing industrial building that was previously used for an auto repair business to be used for administrative office purposes. Additionally, the project is exempt from further review per Section 15183 (Projects Consistent with a Community Plan, General Plan, or Zoning) of the CEQA Guidelines. The environmental review contained in Exhibit 7 has been prepared, and peer reviewed by a qualified CEQA consultant hired by the City, to assess the potential for the proposed project to result in environmental effects and whether the proposed project qualified for an exemption under Section 15183 of the CEQA Guidelines. Moreover, the analysis evaluated whether the potential environmental impacts are addressed in the City of Santa Ana General Plan Update Final Recirculated Program Environmental Impact Report (GPU EIR). Specifically, the analysis evaluates the change of use of the existing 5,837-square-foot building from auto -repair to administrative office and site improvements that include new landscaping, fagade remodel, and new outdoor areas for the office and the school. CEQA Guidelines Section 15183 allows a streamlined environmental review process for projects that are consistent with the densities established by existing zoning, community plan, or general plan policies for which an EIR was certified and does not require additional environmental review, except as might be necessary to examine whether there are project -specific significant effects which are peculiar to the project or its site. Moreover, projects that are consistent with the densities and use characteristics considered by the GPU EIR may qualify for the CEQA Guidelines Section 15183 Exemption process. This exemption process may be used when a project meets the following conditions: a) The project is consistent with the development density established by existing zoning, community plan, or general plan policies for which an EIR was certified. b) There are no project specific effects which are peculiar to the project or its site. c) There are no project specific impacts which the prior EIR failed to analyze as significant effects. d) There are no potentially significant off -site and/or cumulative impacts which the prior EIR failed to evaluate. e) There is no substantial new information which results in more severe impacts than anticipated by the prior EIR. The GPU was adopted, and the GPU EIR certified, in April 2022 (State Clearinghouse Number 2020029087); the GPU went into effect on May 26, 2022. Any decision by the City affecting land use and development must be consistent with the GPU. The GPU EIR evaluates the potential environmental effects associated with implementation of the GPU and addresses appropriate and feasible mitigation measures that would minimize City Council 26 — 10 1/16/2024