2015-004 - Santa Ana-Garden Grove Fixed Guideway Project

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Santa Ana — Garden Grove Fixed Guideway Project Findings and Facts in Support of Findings and Statement of Overriding Considerations and distributed in accordance with CEQA Guidelines Section 15088(b), which requires that written responses be provided at least 10 days prior to certifying an EIR. 4. ENVIRONMENTAL ISSUES THAT WERE DETERMINED TO BE LESS THAN SIGNIFICANT The following environmental resource areas would not be significantly impacted by the proposed project: A. Aesthetics (pages 3 -66 and 3 -190 of the EA/DEIR) • The proposed project would result in the installation of overhead contact wire poles with catenary wires, new light poles, and additional traffic signals along the entire length of the proposed project alignment. These project components would introduce new vertical elements to the PE ROW and Santa Ana Boulevard. Workers and patrons of commercial establishments, motorists, and pedestrians would have limited views of the proposed improvements as they move through the area or visit commercial facilities. The visual quality associated with the Old Pacific Electric Santa Ana River Bridge, Santa Ana River Trail, Sasscer Park, the French Park and Downtown Santa Ana Historic Districts, and SARTC would not be substantially affected by the proposed project. Therefore, a less -than- significant impact related to scenic vistas, scenic resources, and visual quality would occur. • The proposed vertical elements and TPSS would not impact the low to moderate visual quality of the Study Area. Therefore, a less- than - significant impact related to visual character would occur. • While the lighting design, including intensity and height, has not been determined to date, in general, the lighting will be designed to direct lighting to the immediate area to minimize spillover, and will be consistent with the existing lighting in the area. However, it is possible that lighting associated with the O & M Facility and the stations /platforms located adjacent to residential neighborhoods could create a new source of lighting that might impact nighttime views in those areas. Project design features, including, but not limited to, architectural integration of all lighting fixtures with the character of the surrounding environment, use of shielded or recessed lighting, and use of low- profile walkway lights, would eliminate potential light and glare impacts. Therefore, a less- than - significant impact related to lighting would occur. B. Agricultural and Forest Resources (page 3 -14 of the EAIDEIR) • There are no agricultural, timberland, or forestry resources within the Study Area. The proposed project would not convert farmland to non - agricultural use; conflict with zoning for agricultural use, forest land, or timberland; conflict with Williamson Act contracts; or result in the loss or conversion of forest land to non - forest use. Therefore, no impacts related to agricultural resources, farmland, and forestry resources would occur. C. Air Quality (page 3 -156 of the EA/DEIR) • The proposed project is consistent with the City of Santa Ana long -term vision for transportation development and traffic congestion alleviation. Regionally, the proposed $ January 2015