2014-060 - Adopting Findings Pursuant to the California Environmental Quality Act

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Sexlinger Farmhouse and Orchard Residential Development Project CEQA Findings Additional Analysis for Response to Comments As stated above, the DEIR was made available for public comment for a 45 -day public review period, beginning on November 1, 2012, and ending on December 17, 2012. After comments were received and their responses were prepared, the City prepared a FEIR in January, 2013. This EIR had originally considered seven different project alternatives, with project proponents supporting the proposed Project alternative, which would build 24 new single family residences, and demolish the Sexlinger Farmhouse and Orchard. However, the City Council did not take final action on this proposal and did not certify the FEIR. To address cultural impacts associated with the development at the orchard, a variant of the Hybrid Alternative, entitled the Historic Preservation Alternative, was analyzed in a document entitled Additional Analysis for Response to Comments on a Draft EIR (Additional Analysis). Further, analysis regarding carbon sequestration was also provided in the Additional Analysis. The Additional Analysis was prepared in response to public comments and provided additional information and analyses that merely clarified or amplified or made insignificant modifications to the DEIR after it was circulated for public comment in December, 2012. Recirculation was not required pursuant to Section 15088.5 subd. (b) of the CEQA Guidelines; however, the information was provided for the benefit of public review and disclosure. The Additional Analysis was available for public review from December 19, 2013 to January 17, 2014. The City of Santa Ana requested that reviewers limit their comments to the information provided in the Additional Analyses document only. Prior to the Planning Commission and City Council meetings, the applicant changed the proposed Project from the original 24 -unit residential development to the Historic Preservation Alternative which is now the applicant's final proposed Project and the Preferred Alternative as well as the Environmentally Superior Alternative. It is the Project approved by the City. Responses to Comments The City evaluated the comments on the environmental issues received from persons who reviewed the Additional Analysis. In accordance with CEQA, the City prepared written responses describing the disposition of significant environmental issues raised in these comments. As required by CEQA, the City has provided to each public agency that commented on the DEIR, responses to the comments received from that agency at least ten days prior to the certification of the FEIR The FEIR provided adequate, good faith and reasoned responses to the comments. Final Environmental Impact Report The City has prepared a FEIR for the proposed project. In accordance with the requirements of CEQA and the CEQA Guidelines, the FEIR consists of. • The DEIR or revision of the DEIR; • The Additional Analysis; • Comments and recommendations received on the DEIR and Additional Analysis; • List of persons, organizations, and public agencies commenting on the DEIR and Additional Analysis; "Exhibit A"