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

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Sexltnger Farmhouse and Orchard Residential Development Project CEQA Findings Will the Project conflict with existing zoning for, or cause rezoning of, forest land, timberland, or timberland zoned Timberland Production? Will the project result in the loss of forest land or conversion of forest land to non - forest use? Will the project involve other changes in the existing environment which, due to their location or nature, could result in conversion of Farmland, to nonagricultural use or conversion of forest land to non - forest use? Finding: No Impact. (EIR, pp. 4 -1, 4 -2.) Analysis: According to the Santa Ana General Plan and the Farmland Mapping and Monitoring Project, the City does not contain any Prime Farmland, Unique Farmland, or Farmland of Statewide Importance. The project site is classified as being located in an urbanized area and therefore will not adversely affect these classes of farmland. Given that the City contains no important farmland, no Williamson Act Contract can be applicable to the project site. Furthermore, the project site is zoned and designated in the General Plan for residential use, and therefore the project cannot conflict with existing zoning for forestland or timberlands. Nor would the project convert forest land to any other use. As a result, it can be seen with certainty that the proposed project will have no impact on agricultural resources. (EIR, pp. 4 -1, 4 -2) B. BIOLOGICAL RESOURCES Impacts: Will the project have a substantial adverse effect, either directly or through habitat modifications, on any species identified as a candidate, sensitive, or special status species in local or regional plans, policies, or regulations, or by the California Department of Fish and Wildlife or U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service? Will the project have a substantial adverse effect on any riparian habitat or other sensitive natural community? Will the project have a substantial adverse effect on federally protected wetlands through direct removal, filling, hydrological interruption, or other means? Finding: No Impact, (EIR, p. 4 -2.) Analysis: Given that the project site is located in a developed area of the City of Santa Ana and contains no sensitive habitat, the project will not have any direct impact on sensitive species. The site is developed with a residential structure and an orange grove, and there are no riparian habitats or other sensitive natural communities within the project site. No federally protected wetlands are present. As a result, it can be seen with certainty that the proposed project will have no impact on biological resources. (EIR, p. 4 -2.) Further, approximately 10 orange grove trees would remain within Lot 1 of the project. (January 2014 EIR Attachment, p. 4) "Exhibit A"