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 10. Growth - Inducing Impacts of the Proposed Project redefine the nature of future growth in the area. Therefore, the project is not considered growth inducing with respect to removal of obstacles to growth within the project site. Would this project result in the need to expand one or more public services to maintain desired levels of service? The Harbor Boulevard Mixed Use Transit Corridor Plan is in an urbanized area, and public services are currently provided to the site. As discussed in Section 5.11, Public Services, the increased development intensity at the project site would require further commitment of public services in the form of fire and police protection, public schools, and parks in order to maintain a desired level of service. This would be considered a long -term commitment. However, as discussed in Section 5.11, none of the public service agencies consulted during the preparation of this EIR indicated that the proposed project would necessitate the immediate expansion of its existing services and facilities in order to maintain desired levels of service. Additionally, implementation of the existing fees requirement and mitigation measures would ensure that the service capability would grow proportionate to the increase in uses and would not result in a significant environmental impact. The proposed project would not, therefore, have significant growth - inducing consequences with respect to public services. Would this project encourage or facilitate economic effects that could result in other activities that could significantly affect the environment? During project construction, a number of design, engineering, and construction - related jobs would be created. This would last until each project is completed over an approximately 20 -year span and would be a direct but temporary growth inducing impact of the project. The increased number of employees and residents in the area would spur new economic investment in commercial uses serving the project area. This would represent an increased demand for economic goods and services and could, therefore, encourage the creation of new businesses and /or the expansion of existing businesses that address these economic needs. However, this effect would be less than significant since future projects will be required to comply with the intensity allowed in the Harbor Boulevard Mixed Use Transit Corridor Plan and City zoning code. Furthermore, the intent of the specific plan is to encourage redevelopment of old commercial uses and underutilized parcels to accommodate local business growth along the corridor and provide a more diverse range of retail and neighborhood oriented commercial uses. Therefore, while the proposed project would have an indirect growth- inducing effect, this would be accommodated by the surrounding neighborhood's current land uses and its ability to absorb local business growth. Would approval of this project involve some precedent - setting action that could encourage and facilitate other activities that could significantly affect the environment? The project would include a General Plan amendment and a zoning code amendment to replace existing zoning districts for the project site with new zoning districts in the project area. General Plan and zoning code amendments are common actions, and the project would not set a precedent that could lead to significant environmental effects. Page 10 -2 PlaceWorkr