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 for police and fire services although an increased demand for security personnel may occur. However, it is expected that the existing police and fire facilities would be adequate, and no new facilities would be required. Therefore, a less- than - significant impact related to police and fire services would occur. • The proposed project would include security- oriented design features, such as perimeter fencing around the O & M Facility. A Crime Prevention through Environment Design program would be implemented during final design that includes natural access control, natural surveillance, territoriality, and maintenance to create a safe environment. In addition, all streetcar operators would participate in a safety /security training program and surveillance cameras may be installed inside streetcar vehicles. These design features, along with police security patrols, will substantially reduce the risk for criminal activities on streetcars, at transit stations, and at the O & M Facility. Therefore, a less- than - significant impact related to streetcar security would occur. • The proposed project would not alter emergency response times given the wide distribution of emergency facilities throughout the Study Area. Crossing gates for the streetcar would generally not be down for a period of more than 30 seconds. It is likely that emergency vehicles would switch to the other side of the street particularly when there are median extensions. Should the at -grade crossing be inaccessible for a substantial duration, emergency vehicles could access multiple alternative routes within the Study Area based on the well- defined street grid. Therefore, a less- than - significant impact related to emergency response times would occur. • Although the proposed project would provide improved mobility and access to the Study Area in accordance with adopted transportation and land use plans, these improvements would not result in substantial growth of the local student population and, as such, would not necessitate the need for new schools. Therefore, no impact related to schools would occur. • Although the proposed project would improve mobility and access to communities in accordance with adopted transportation and land use plans, it would not introduce new population to the Study Area that could increase demand for parks or require the provision of new parkland. In addition, the project alignment would not disrupt or impair access to parks. Portions of the project alignment located outside of the existing transportation ROW would require some land acquisitions and easements; however, new land and easements acquisition would not displace parkland. Therefore, no impact related to parks would occur. • There are two federal buildings located near the proposed alignment. The streetcar system will be designed so as not to inhibit the function or access to the Ronald Reagan Federal Building and United States Courthouse or the Santa Ana Federal Building. The station near Santa Ana Boulevard and Ross Street will be at an adequate distance from the federal buildings so that a safety buffer is provided. Access to federal buildings would be maintained during construction and operation, and emergency access would be prioritized. Additional safety measures would also be incorporated to ensure the safe operation of the federal buildings. Therefore, a less- than - significant impact to the federal buildings would occur. 15 January 2015