19E - APPROVAL AND ADOPTION ENTERPRISE ZONE

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Environmental Checklist For CEQA Compliance ~`;~, `~ w w planning, SCAG has prepared the Regional Comprehensive Plan and Guide (RCPG), which includes Growth Management and Regional Mobility chapters that form the basis for the land use and transportation control portions of the AQMP, and are utilized in the preparation of the air quality forecasts and consistency analysis included in the AQMP. Both the RCPG and AQMP are based, in part, on projections originating with County and City general plans. Since the proposed SEZ would not result in any direct changes to existing land use designation or density allotments of any community plan, pursuant to SCAQMD guidelines, it is considered consistent with the region's AQMP. As such, the proposed SEZ would not conflict with or obstruct implementation of the AQMP. Therefore, no impact would occur. B. Less-Than-Significant Impact. As discussed above, the project site is located within the Basin. State and federal air quality standards are often exceeded in many parts of the Basin. The proposed SEZ does not include any specific construction, renovation, or demolition projects. It is a business incentive program to provide financial incentives for businesses to locate within Santa Ana. Any emissions generated by individual projects that may occur as an indirect result of the SEZ business incentives are unknown and speculative at this time. With the passage of AB 32, the Global Warming Solutions Act of 2006, California is faced with reducing greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions,' and impacts related to the generation of GHG emissions are being addressed as part of the CEQA process. Automobiles have been identified as the greatest source of GHG emissions, and the quantity of GHG emissions from automobiles is directly correlated with the amount of vehicle miles traveled (VMT). Because automobiles are the largest contributor to carbon dioxide (COZ) emissions, it can be deduced that if a project does not result in an increase of daily trips or VMT, that the project would not result in an increase of GHG emissions. The proposed project would not directly generate any increase of daily trips or VMT because it would not result in any specific demolition, construction, land acquisition, or other development activities. The proposed SEZ is a financial program to promote business development in Santa Ana and does not include specific construction, development, demolition, or remodeling projects. Furthermore, any specific project that indirectly results from the SEZ's business incentives would be evaluated on a case-by-case basis using CEQA and undergo the development and review process of the City. Therefore, the proposed project has less-than-significant impacts regarding green house gases and no further study is needed. C. Less-Than-Significant Impact. The proposed SEZ would not result in any specific construction project, land acquisition project, or other development project. Individual projects that could occur as an indirect result of SEZ business incentives would be evaluated on a case-by-case basis under CEQA during the City's development and review process. Any direct or indirect impacts of the projects that may indirectly because of the SEZ incentives would be evaluated at that time and any necessary mitigation measures would be incorporated at that time. Therefore, impacts of the proposed SEZ are considered less than significant. D. Less-Than-Significant Impact. Sensitive receptors that could be impacted by the project consist of people that are susceptible to health effects, such as respiratory disease, from activities around them. Sensitive receptors are typically found at schools, hospitals, senior care facilities, and residences. The proposed SEZ would not result in any specific construction project, land acquisition project, or other development project. Any direct or ~ Greenhouse gases related to human activity include: carbon dioxide, methane, nitrous oxide, tetrafluoromethane, hexafluoroethane, sulfur hexafluoride, HFC-23, HFC-134a, and HFC-152a. Santa Ana State Enterprise Zone November 2007 Initial Study 3-17 J8S 00814.07 19E-31