19E - APPROVAL AND ADOPTION ENTERPRISE ZONE

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Environmental Checklist For CEQA Compliance indirect impacts of the projects that may result from the SEZ incentives would be evaluated on a case-by-case basis under CEQA during the City's development and review process. Therefore, impacts of the proposed SEZ are considered less than significant. E. Less-Than-Significant Impact. According to the SCAQMD CEQA Air Quality Handbook, activities associated with odor complaints typically include agriculture, wastewater treatment plants, food processing plants, chemical plants, composting, refineries, landfills, dairies, and fiberglass molding (SCAQMD 1993). The proposed project does not include any specific construction projects, land acquisitions, or other development projects; therefore, the proposed project would not produce any objectionable odors. Any specific development projects indirectly resulting from the financial mechanisms and business incentives of the SEZ would be subject to comply with SCAQMD Rules 1108 and 1113. These rules limit the amount of volatile organic compounds from cutback asphalt and architectural coatings and solvents to reduce the odor producing potential during and after construction (SCAQMD 1985, 2006). Additionally, these projects would be subject to evaluation under CEQA during the City's development and review process and odor-producing impacts would be evaluated at that time. Therefore, impacts of the proposed SEZ are considered less than significant. IV. Biological Resources A. Less-Than-Significant Impact. The city of Santa Ana is largely developed and urbanized, and the affected parcels under the proposed SEZ are primarily commercial and industrial land uses. The open space areas throughout the city no longer reflect native biological habitats that existed prior to urbanization. Although there is a lack of native habitats in the city, the California Department of Fish and Game identifies the San Diego horned lizard as a sensitive species in the area. However, this species is limited in range. Additionally, the last time the lizard was sighted was in 1922; it was located in the northern area of Santa Ana (City of Santa Ana 1998:LUE-A-43). Although the SEZ does not propose any specific construction, renovation, or demolition projects, potential impacts to the San Diego horned lizard could occur from development that occurs as an indirect result of the SEZ business incentives. Any future development occurring as an indirect result of the SEZ would be required to go through the City's development review process, and would be evaluated for its potential biological impacts. Where needed, mitigation measures using the regulations imposed by the California Department of Fish and Game or the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service would be required to avoid or minimize potential biological impact. Therefore, due to the general lack of habitat and the established regulatory requirements, the potential of the SEZ to indirectly result in activities that would violate sensitive species regulations or policies is considered less than significant. B. Less-Than-Significant Impact. The proposed SEZ is generally void of any riparian habitat or other natural communities. The Santa Ana River is channelized and no longer contains riparian habitat; therefore, it does not have the potential to accommodate sensitive biological resources. Santiago Creek, which contains more native vegetation and unlined channels, also runs through portions of the project area. However, the potential to impact biological resources within Santiago Creek are minimal, and would be mitigated on a case-by-case basis in accordance with established regulatory criteria. Therefore, impacts would be less than significant. oarna r{na dare tmerpnse cone November 2007 Initial Study 3-18 J$S 00614.07 19E-32