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

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Vista Charter Public Schools District Office and Outdoor Space Project CEQA Exemption 15183 4.7 Geology and Soils 4.7.1 GPU EIR Findings The GPU EIR concluded that future development under the General Plan Update would be subject to potential seismic -related hazards including strong seismic ground shaking, seismic - related ground failure, and landslides. Further, development associated with the General Plan Update could result in unstable geologic unit or soil conditions, including soil erosion, expansive soils, settlement and collapse, and subsidence. However, implementation of RR G-1, through G- 3 would reduce impacts to less than significant levels. Specifically, RR G-1 and G-2 require development to comply with the most recent version of the California Building Code and Municipal Code Chapter 8, Buildings and Structures, and RR G-3 requires all buildings or structures within the City that require plumbing fixtures be connected to a public sewer per Municipal Code Section 39-51, Mandatory Connections. The GPU EIR also concluded that development under the General Plan Update could impact known and unknown paleontological resources through grading and construction activities of undeveloped areas or redevelopment that requires more intensive soil excavation than in the past. Therefore, Mitigation Measures GEO-1 through GEO- 3 require monitoring based on the sensitivity level of sites for paleontological resources. Overall, the GPU EIR concluded that implementation of regulatory requirements and Mitigation Measures GEO-1 through GEO-3 would reduce geology and soil impacts to less than significant levels. 4.7.2 Project Analysis The project site is located in a seismically active area, as is most of southern California. However, the project site is not located within a State -designated Alquist-Priolo Fault Hazard Zone. The nearest fault to the project site is the Bolsa-Fairview Fault (Newport -Inglewood Rose Canyon fault zone), located approximately 5.5 miles to the southwest. No active faults are known to cross the project site. Additionally, the site is not located in an area identified as a potential landslide hazard area by the State or City. However, the project site is located within an area susceptible to liquefaction. As described above, implementation of RR G-1 and G-2 would reduce impacts in this regard to less than significant levels. Consistent with the General Plan, compliance with existing regulations would ensure the proposed project would not result in a significant impact related to seismic hazards or liquefaction. Construction of the proposed project would involve minimal ground -disturbing activities given the nature of the proposed improvements. As mentioned above, while construction activities may result in the potential for erosion to occur, implementation of RR G-1 and G-2 would reduce impacts in this regard to less than significant levels. Consistent with the General Plan, compliance with existing regulations including implementation of regulatory requirements would ensure the proposed project would not result in a significant impact related to erosion. No new or substantially more severe impacts would occur compared to the determinations of the GPU EIR, and no new mitigation measures are required. Lateral spreading is a type of liquefaction -induced ground failure on mildly sloping ground. However, the project site is located on relatively level ground, and implementation of the proposed project would not increase the risk of landslides. Therefore, no impacts related to lateral spreading would occur. Subsidence is the lowering of surface elevation due to changes occurring underground, such as the extraction of large amounts of groundwater. The proposed project would not involve the extraction of any groundwater, oil, or gas from the project site. Clay -based soils are typically susceptible to expansion. The geologic materials under the project site have very low expansive potential (plasticity index value less than 15) and are classified as non - Dec i y ouncil 26 — 86 1/16/20'2 e 26