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 Study Area, and to improve the Study Area's regional transit connectivity by providing direct connections to existing and planned transit services (Metrolink and OCTA fixed route and Bus Rapid Transit [BRT] services) at SARTC and at the northeast corner of Harbor Boulevard and Westminster Avenue in the City of Garden Grove. A reasonable range of alternatives has been evaluated as part of the environmental process, beginning with a robust alternatives analysis and using a screening process to provide a limited range of alternatives in the EA/DEIR. Several other alternatives, including BRT routes along Santa Ana Boulevard and Civic Center Drive, were considered in the initial alternatives analysis but were ultimately screened out because they did not fully satisfy the purpose and need or project goals and objectives and were less cost effective in terms of both capital and operations and maintenance costs per rider. These other alternatives are described in the Santa Ana and Garden Grove Fixed Guideway Corridor Alternative Analysis Report. The alternatives addressed in the EA/DEIR consisted of a No Build Alternative, Transportation System Management (TSM) Alternative, Streetcar Alternatives 1 and 2, and Initial Operating Segment (IOS) -1 and IOS -2. Streetcar Alternative 1 included the PE ROW through the western half of its alignment and Santa Ana Boulevard and 4th Street on the way to SARTC. Streetcar Alternative 2 also included the PE ROW through the western half of its alignment and generally Santa Ana Boulevard, Civic Center Drive, and 5th Street along the eastern half of the alignment to SARTC. The No Build Alternative was provided as a basis for comparing the build alternatives, each of which was specifically designed to respond to the purpose and need for the project, study goals, and community input. No Build Alternative This No Build alternative is required by Section 15126.6 of the CEQA Guidelines and provides the basis for comparing future conditions resulting from other alternatives. Conditions in the foreseeable future (through planning horizon year 2035) include projects that (1) have environmental analysis approved by an implementing agency and (2) have a funding source identified for implementation. Other projects in the foreseeable future include: • Implementation of the Transit Zoning Code (SD 84A and SD 84B), both project -level and program -level components, that are anticipated for build -out by 2028; • Implementation of the Station District Development Projects, which consist of a variety of residential development projects, community open space and some limited neighborhood - serving commercial development' • Transit improvements including modest adjustments to existing local bus routes; and expanded Metrolink service' • Three, new bus rapid transit routes: (1) Harbor Boulevard Bus Rapid Transit Corridor [Costa Mesa to Fullerton, 10- minute headways, peak period]; (2) Westminster /17th Street Bus Rapid Transit Corridor [Santa Ana to Long Beach, 10- minute headways, peak period]; and (3) Bristol Street Bus Rapid Transit Corridor [Irvine Transportation Center to Brea Mall, 10- minute headways, peak period]; and 30 January 2015