DISCOVERY SCIENCE CENTER OF ORANGE COUNTY - 2002

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LSA ASSOCIATES, INC. ENVIRONMENTAL ANALYSIS MARCH 2002 AMENDMENT NO. 1 DISCOVERI "SCIENCE CENTER Transportation /Circulation Potential traffic impacts associated with the implementation of the DSC project were adequately evaluated in FEIR 96 -01. Mitigation measures were identified in FEIR 96 -01 to reduce potential transportation impacts to a level considered less than significant. The required traffic mitigation measures for DSC have been implemented concurrent with the construction phasing of the project. Certain mitigation measures for the Phase 11 project, such as the ingress and egress traffic controls, will be implemented, as allowed by the City of Santa Ana. In addition, a median in Main Place Drive is proposed as part of the project to prohibit left turns into and out of the proposed parking structure. The increased development area allowed through Phase 11 plans would not result in additional traffic impacts, in that the increased development area is offset by the loss of theater seating thereby resulting in a similar amount of traffic trips that «ould not exceed the traffic projections in FEIR 96 -01. In addition, the area devoted to theater lobby /corridors /stairxNays and common area has been expanded, while the seating area has been reduced. The net square fmtage devoted to exhibit space has also been reduced in the revised Phase 11 plans. The proposed median in Main Place DriNe prohibits left turns intothe proposed parking structure, thereby facilitating circulation within the project area with no impact to traffic at Main Place. Implementation of the proposed project would not generate additional traffic wlumes that would affect the current and projected level of service within the project area beyond the impacts previously analyzed in FEM 96 -01, nor would the proposed project substantially increase the se"erityof any transportation impact identified in FEIR 96 -01. The demand for parking will be handled in the proposed parking structure as calculated abo✓e. Based upon accepted parking calculations for the reduced theater and net exhibit space, required parkng is 343 spaces (see Table B) and parking provided is 347 spaces (see Table C). Therefue, there would be no additional impacts to parking above those reported in FEIR 96 -01. No new information has been available since preparation of FEIR 96 -01 that would adversely affect the traffic analysis and environmental determinations made in FEIR 96 -01. Air Quality Potential long -term and short-term air quality impacts and cumulative air quality impacts associated with the implementation of the DSC project were adequately evaluated in FEIR 96 -01. Mitigation measures were identified in FEIR 96 -01 to reduce potential short -term air quality impacts to a level considered less than significant. Additionally, mitigation measures were included in FEIR 96 -01 to minimize long -term air quality impacts. FEIR 96 -01 determined that the development of DSC would result in unavoidable adverse long -term air quality impacts. The increased development area, off -set by a reduction in theater seatingand increased space de ,,oted to storage and non - exhibit public circulation space within the DSC, allowed for in the DSC Phase 11, would not generate additional stationary source or mobile source long -term air quality impacts or short-term construction related air quality impacts beyond the impacts preciously analyzed in FEIR 96 -01, nor would the proposed project substantially increase the se%erity of any long -term or short-term air quality impact identified in FE1R 96 -01. Additionally, no new information has been made available since preparation of FEIR 96- 01 that adversely affect the air qualityanalysis and environmental determinations made in FEIR 96 -01. HAROBB'TILESWmend 1 dsc revl.doc 03/07:02» Page 6 of 17