Item 24 - Amendment Application No. 2023-04 and Zoning Ordinance Amendment No. 2023-03

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Vista Heritage Charter School February 20, 2024 Page 2 4 0 5 4 3. Determine that adoption of these ordinances is exempt from further review under the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) pursuant to sections 15301 and 15183 of the CEQA guidelines. GOVERNMENT CODE §84308 APPLIES Yes DISCUSSION At its January 16, 2024 regular meeting, the City Council held a public hearing and considered the staff report, recommendations by staff, and public testimony concerning two ordinances for the project located at 601 North Fairview Street. The two ordinances include: 1. Amendment Application No. 2023-04 (AA No. 2023-04), and 2. Zoning Ordinance Amendment No. 2023-03 (ZOA No. 2023-03) The City Council approved the first reading of AA No. 2023-04 and ZOA No. 2023-03 as presented by staff. To date, the proposed project has generated a total of 156 temporary employment opportunities, including environmental engineers, environmental remediation technicians, demolition crew, architects, engineers, development consultants, and an attorney. Additionally, the new administrative office will create ten permanent employment positions. Moreover, the applicant will pay approximately $46,235 in entitlement, plan check, and permit fees. ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT Pursuant to the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) and the CEQA Guidelines, the project is exempt from further review per Section 15301 Existing Facilities (Class 1 – Existing Facilities) of the CEQA Guidelines and per Section 15183 (Projects Consistent with a Community Plan, General Plan, or Zoning) of the CEQA Guidelines. 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