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 • The proposed project would improve regional transit access to public service facilities in the Study Area, including schools, parks and recreation areas, hospitals and community health facilities. The Willowick Public Golf Course, Spurgeon Intermediate School, George Washington Carver Elementary School, Santa Ana Civic Center, Santa Ana Public Library, OCTA Park and Ride Parking Structure, and SARTC are all within walking distance of proposed stations. These public service facilities would benefit directly from the improved transit services and access to the populated areas, specifically in the Downtown Santa Ana area near the Civic Center, where a number of public governmental agencies are located. Therefore, a less- than - significant impact related to public facilities would occur. O. Recreation (page 3 -231 of the EA/DEIR) • The proposed project would improve transit access to recreational facilities within the Study Area, several of which are located within walking distance of stations, and would promote inter -city travel and increase access to the Study Area. This would potentially increase the use of existing parks and recreational facilities. However, based on ridership projections, the increased use is not expected to be significant enough to result in substantial physical deterioration of existing recreation facilities, including the Santa Ana River Trail and bikeways. Therefore, a less- than - significant impact related to recreational facilities would occur. • The Santa Ana River Trail (bicycle and equestrian paths) currently crosses underneath the Santa Ana River Bridge. The proposed project would be designed to provide sufficient clearance for users of these paths on both sides of the Santa Ana River. Therefore, a less - than- significant impact to the Santa Ana River Trail would occur. P. Transportation and Traffic (pages 3 -131 and 3 -206 of the EA/DEIR) • All intersections assessed for proposed project would operate at similar or improved levels of service (LOS) as the No Build Alternative. Therefore, a less- than - significant impact related to intersection LOS would occur. • A roadway segment capacity analysis was completed because the proposed project would operate in mixed traffic in the central and eastern portion of the Study Area. The proposed project would not cause additional roadway segments to experience capacity deficiencies beyond those identified under the No Build Alternative. Therefore, a less- than - significant impact related to roadway segments capacities would occur. • Grade crossing vehicle activity would not cause excessive vehicle queuing or significantly impact the transportation system given the relatively small number of passenger vehicle and pedestrian activity around stations at the termini or intersection movements at the Harbor BoulevardMestminster Avenue Station and SARTC. In addition, it is not expected that the proposed project would attract a significant volume of commuters using SARTC as a park - and -ride to access the streetcar system. It is anticipated that streetcar patrons would come primarily from Metrolink and Amtrak, and secondarily from other local and intercity bus services that also utilize SARTC. Therefore, a less- than - significant impact related to grade crossings and station circulation would occur. 16 January 2015