55C - RESO - FIXED GUIDEWAY PROJECT

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feasible. The initial screening process consisted of two stages — an early qualitative analysis of the conceptual alternatives resulting in the screening of route options; and, a subsequent quantitative analysis of the conceptual alternatives resulting in the screening of technology options. A detailed technical evaluation was performed on the reduced set of alternatives resulting from the initial screening. The reduced set of alternatives included: • TSM Alternative • Streetcar Alternative 1 — Santa Ana Boulevard /41h Street • Streetcar Alternative 2 — Santa Ana Boulevard /Civic Center Drive /5th Street Upon completion of the detailed technical evaluation Streetcar Alternative 1 was found to have the highest daily ridership and serve the greatest number of transit dependent household. Land uses along the alignment provided the densities and development patterns to support a high- capacity transit system, and the city's adopted land use plans reinforced these patterns and encouraged the types of development /redevelopment needed to support the system. Streetcar Alternative 1 also most effectively served key destinations within the study area. The TSM Alternative ranked first among the alternatives in terms of Environmental Responsibility because it was not estimated to affect any conditions in the environment. The TSM Alternative also ranked first in terms of ease of constructability and lowest capital cost. Overall, Streetcar Alternative 1 was ranked first among the alternatives. Summary of Environmental Review The reduced set of alternatives was also subjected to an environmental evaluation. An Environmental Assessment /Draft Environmental Impact Report (EA /DEIR) was prepared to meet the requirements of the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) and California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA), concurrent with the preparation of the AA. Adverse effects associated with hazardous materials, operational noise (moderate), safety, and construction air quality were identified to occur with Streetcar Alternatives 1 and 2 prior to incorporation of mitigation measures (CEQA only). Mitigation measures would eliminate the adverse effects associated with hazardous materials and safety. Moderate effects associated with operational noise and identified in the EA /DEIR would remain after the implementation of mitigation, however these effects would not be considered adverse. In addition, significant construction air quality impacts under CEQA would remain after the implementation of mitigation; however, construction - related air quality impacts would be temporary and not adverse under NEPA after the implementation of mitigation. No adverse effects were identified for the TSM Alternative. LPA Decision Report July 2014 55C -17 2 1 Page