2012-001 - Statement of Overriding Considerations, and Adopting a Mitigation Monitoring and Reporting Program

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Chapter 3 Findings Regarding Project Alhernaffi es Attachment 'A' Impacts related to air quality/greenhouse gas emissions (long-term), noise (long-term), utilities and service systems, and water quality and hydrology would be similar to the proposed Project. 3.4.4.3 Finding and Rationale for Alternative Site No. 2 The City hereby finds that specific economic, legal, social, technological, or other considerations make Alternative Site No. 2 infeasible. Alternative Site No. 2 would not avoid or substantially lessen the Project's near-term significant and unavoidable construction-related impact at the intersection of South Bristol Street and West Segerstrom Avenue, which would occur between the hours of 7:15 a.m. and 8:00 a.m. and between the hours of 2:30 p.m. and 6:45 p.m. (Monday through Friday). This alternative also would introduce new impacts to recreation (near- and long-term) that would not occur in association with the proposed Project, and would increase potential long-term odor impacts affecting nearby sensitive receptors, in addition to increasing impacts to construction-related air quality/greenhouse gas emissions and noise. None of the impacts associated with the proposed Project would be avoided or substantially lessened with implementation of this alternative. Furthermore, the City Parks, Recreation and Community Services Agency (PRCSA) submitted a $2.4 million grant application to the state's Urban Greening Grant Program2 on June 16, 2011 to develop the existing park as an "Eco-Park," which may feature amenities such as a community amphitheater, rock climbing area, picnic area, interpretive center, demonstration gardens, jogging trails and sidewalks, and open turf areas. (See Memorandum from Ron Ono, Administrative Service Manager of the City of Santa Ana PRCSA, to Steve Worrall, dated November 23, 2011.) The City hopes to use the park site as a showcase to educate residents on the value of water and energy conservation and provide landscape examples of drought tolerant plants, water harvesting techniques, solar panel installation, amphitheater for education classes, and natural type play equipment for adjacent residents. (See letter from the Gerardo Mouet, Executive Director, PRCSA, to R. Godinez, included in RDEIR Appendix H.) The site is also located a block west of Flower Street Bike Trail and the Golden Loop Bike Trail, which will make the site accessible to all residents in Santa Ana and adjacent cites. (Id.) A conceptual plan for this facility is presented on RDEIR Figure 5-2, Conceptual West Segerstrom Avenue Eco-Park. The development of a lift station at Alternative Site No. 2 will interfere with any future development of this park for the community. Awards are anticipated to be announced early 2012. Regardless of whether the City receives a grant in this round of the Urban Greening Grant Program, it plans to improve the recreational opportunities at this park site and any construction of a Sewer Lift Station at the site would conflict with these community- serving objectives. The City has determined that these concerns about the impacts of Alternative Site No. 2 on recreational opportunities in the City render it infeasible, particularly in light of the fact that Alternative Site No. 2 would not avoid or substantially lessen any significant effects of the project. (See CEQA Guidelines Section 15126.6(b).) z http•//resources.ca.gov/bonds prop84 urbanareenin2.html (last accessed December 6, 2011). San Lorenzo Lift Station EIR (Project No. 06-3510) 3-9 CEQA Findings of Fact/Statement of Overriding Considerations