2014-069 - Final Environmental Impact Report No. 2014-01

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HARBOR BLVD. MIXED USE TRANSIT CORRIDOR PLAN FINAL FIR CITY OF SANTA ANA 5. Environmental Analysis AIR QUALITY Harbor Boulevard Mixed Use Transit Corridor Plan area, resulting in a large increase in population growth and a slight increase in employment in the plan area. Additionally, the proposed project would require a general plan amendment to accommodate the change in land uses and increase in development intensity. Because regional transportation modeling is based on the underlying general plan land use designation, the project could potentially change the assumptions of the AQMP. The AQMP ensures that the region is on track to attain the California and federal AAQS. When a project has the potential to exceed the assumptions of the AQMP because it is more intensive than the underlying land use designation, criteria air pollutants generated during operation of the proposed project are compared to SCAQMD's regional significance thresholds (see Impact 5.2 -2), which were established to determine whether a project has the potential to cumulatively contribute to the SOCAB's nonattamment designations. The proposed project would be consistent with the regional goals of integrating land uses near a major transportation corridor by increasing the amount of mixed use developments along the Harbor Boulevard corridor. The Orange County Transportation Authority plans to establish bus rapid transit stops and routes along Harbor Boulevard within the next decade. Additionally, development of residential and nonresidential land uses in proximity to each other in addition to public transportation options would likely reduce VMT and associated criteria air pollutant emissions from mobile sources. However, despite furthering the regional transportation and planning objectives to reduce per capita VMT and associated emissions, the project would represent a substantial increase in emissions compared to existing conditions and would exceed SCAQMD's regional operational significance thresholds. As a result, the proposed project could potentially exceed the assumptions in the AQMP and would not be considered consistent with the AQMP. Consequently, impacts would be significant. 5.2.4 Cumulative Impacts In accordance with the SCAQMD methodology, any project that produces a significant project level regional air quality impact in an area that is in nonattainment contributes to the cumulative impact. Cumulative projects within the local area include new development and general growth within the project area. The greatest source of emissions within the SoCAB is mobile sources. Due to the extent of the area potentially impacted from cumulative project emissions, the SCAQMD considers a project cumulatively significant when project related emissions exceed the SCAQMD regional emissions thresholds shown in Table 5.2 -5. Construction The SoCAB is designated nonattamment for 03, PM? s, PMtu, and lead (Los Angeles County only) under the California and National AAQS and nonattamment for NO2 under the California AAQS.B Construction of cumulative projects would further degrade the regional and local air quality. Air quality would be temporarily impacted during construction activities. Implementation of mitigation measures for related projects would reduce cumulative impacts. Project related construction emissions would potentially exceed the SCAQMD 8 CARB approved the SCAQMD's request to redesignate the SoCAB from serious nonattainerent for PM10 to attainment for PM10 under the national AAQS on Much 25, 2010, because the SoCAB has not violated federal 24 -hour PM10 standards during the period from 2004 to 2007. However, the EPA has not yet approved this request October 2014 Page 5.2 -21