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

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Chapter 3 Findings Regarding Project AtternatAms Attachment 'A" impact associated with Construction Configuration C.2. In addition, construction of a lift station at Alternative Site No. 3 would exacerbate an existing parking deficiency at this location by eliminating approximately 20 parking spaces during near-term construction, and five parking spaces under long- term operating conditions. Near- and long-term impacts to parking at Alternative Site No. 3 would represent a significant and immitigable impact. As such, impacts to transportation/traffic would be greater at Alternative Site No. 3 as compared to the proposed Project site. This alternative also would result in a slight increase in the severity of impacts to air quality as compared to the proposed Project, because relocating the proposed lift station to Alternative Site No. 3 would have a greater potential to expose nearby odor-sensitive uses to substantial offensive odor levels during worst-case accident conditions; however, odor effects would be mitigable to a level below significant. Total construction air quality/greenhouse gas emissions would be modestly reduced under this alternative due to a slightly shorter construction period, although average daily construction emissions would be similar to the proposed Project. Impacts related to near-term water quality and hydrology would be slightly increased under this alternative, while impacts to noise, utilities and service systems, and water quality and hydrology (long-term) would be similar to the proposed Project. 3.4.5.3 Finding and Rationale for Alternative Site No. 3 The City hereby finds that specific economic, legal, social, technological, or other considerations make Alternative Site No. 3 infeasible. Although this alternative would avoid the proposed Project's significant and unavoidable impact to the South Bristol Street/West Segerstrom Avenue intersection, this alternative would introduce a new significant unavoidable impact along South Bristol Street, which would occur for approximately 14 days (11 days shorter than the proposed Project's significant unavoidable impact). When considered in conjunction with this alternative's near- and long-term significant and unavoidable impacts to parking, the City finds that this alternative would, on the whole, result in increased impacts to transportation/traffic as compared to the proposed Project. Accordingly, the City rejects Alternative Site No. 3 as infeasible because it would result in an overall increase in environmental impacts as compared to the proposed Project and would not avoid or substantially lessen any significant effects of the Project. (CEQA Guidelines Section 15126.6(b).) Additionally, as indicated in Section 5.4.5.4, this alternative would exacerbate an existing parking deficiency by eliminating approximately 20 parking spaces during near-term construction, and five parking spaces under long-term operating conditions. Under this alternative, a 6,420 square-foot portion of the parking lot would be closed and unavailable to site patrons during the entire construction phase (i.e., approximately 12 months) to accommodate construction and staging activities. Based on an analysis of this site, it is estimated that up to 20 parking spaces would be impacted and unavailable for the duration of construction activities, resulting in a deficit of approximately 61 parking spaces during the construction phase. Furthermore, construction of a connection between the proposed lift station and new east-west trending sewer facilities would require trenching activities within the parking lot that would impact additional parking spaces and internal drive aisles for a period of several weeks during construction, which would result in adverse effects to site access and internal circulation. Alternative Site No. 3 includes doctor's offices, a Physical Therapy Center, Orthopedic Clinic, Prenatal Care Facility and "Orange County Health Care Agency" offices. Ingress and egress to this parking lot is tight and many of the patrons are handicapped or physically impaired drivers, pregnant women, or elderly. Construction of the Lift San Lorenzo Lift Station EIR (Project No. 06-3510) 3-11 CEQA Findings of Fact/Statement of Overriding Considerations