55A - RESO - PROPOSED INTERSECTION MODIFICATION

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Resolution Certifying SEIR No.2009-1 July 6, 2009 Page 2 Therefore, the City has decided to proceed with the CPUC's directive and permanently close Fairhaven Avenue at Lincoln Avenue. Two-way traffic would be maintained on Lincoln Avenue from Park Lane to Santa Clara Avenue. At the intersection of Santa Clara and Fairhaven, a traffic signal is recommended to better facilitate traffic movement. Also, the roadway profile along Lincoln Avenue at its intersection at Santa Clara will be modified to improve roadway safety. In order to implement these changes for the two intersections, CEQA requires the preparation and approval of a Final Supplement to the Santa Ana Second Main Track Environmental Impact Report (Final SEIR). The Final SEIR describes the proposed project and evaluates the potential environmental effects of the project. The environmental issues analyzed in the SEIR include aesthetics, agricultural resources, air quality, biological resources, cultural resources, geology and soils, land use and planning, hazards and hazardous materials, hydrology and water quality, mineral resources, noise, population and housing, public services, recreation, transportation and traffic, and utilities and service systems. On January 27, 2009 a Notice of Preparation and Initial Study was circulated for a 30-day public review period for the preparation of the Draft SEIR No. EIR 2009-1. Issues raised by the agencies and the community included: 1) potential traffic impacts from Fairhaven/Lincoln intersection modification, 2) potential noise impacts, and 3) potential air quality impacts. The SEIR was then prepared based on information provided in the IS, as well as issues expressed in the comments to the NOP. In accordance with CEQA, a Draft SEIR was circulated for review and comment by the public, local, regional and state agencies and interested parties on March 6, 2009 for a 30-day review period. Only three comment letters were received during the public review period. All three were from public agencies and two agencies had no comments. The third agency, the CPUC, had comments concerning access to the rail right-of-way for rail maintenance vehicles at the Fairhaven/Lincoln intersection. The CPUC also recommended that a new railroad crossing pre-signal be installed at the Santa Clara/Lincoln intersection for westbound traffic to prevent traffic from queuing onto or near the tracks and to prevent vehicles from getting trapped between the railroad crossing gates. The CPUC's recommendations and directive concerning the Fairhaven closer have been incorporated into the final design for the two railroad crossings and are reflected in the revised project descriptions in the Final SEIR. 55A-2