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 dust control measures, PM10 emissions are still anticipated to exceed the SCAQMD's localized significance thresholds. No other feasible mitigation measures, standard conditions, or BMPs exist that would reduce this impact. In accordance with SCAQMD methodology, projects that would result in a significant impact for either regional or localized air pollutant emissions would contribute toward a cumulative impact. Cumulative projects within the Study Area and the surrounding area would include redevelopment of existing uses, as well as development of new commercial and residential uses. As the proposed project would result in a regionally and localized significant impact during construction for both NOx and PM1e emissions, it is anticipated that continued development (and associated construction activities) located predominately within the City of Santa Ana would also result in regional and localized air quality impacts. Therefore, the contribution of the proposed project to this air quality construction impact would be cumulatively considerable. No other feasible mitigation measures, standard conditions, or BMPs exist that would reduce this cumulatively considerable impact. In making this determination, the Lead Agency is guided by CEQA Guidelines Section 15093, which provides as follows: a. CEQA requires the decision - making agency to balance, as applicable, the economic, legal, social, technological, or other benefits of a proposed project against its unavoidable environmental risks when determining whether to approve the project. If the specific economic, legal, social, technological, or other benefits of a proposed project outweigh the unavoidable adverse environmental effects, the adverse environmental effects may be considered "acceptable." b. When the lead agency approves a project which will result in the occurrence of significant effects which are identified in the final EIR but are not avoided or substantially lessened, the agency shall state in writing the specific reasons to support its action based on the final EIR and /or other information in the record. The statement of overriding considerations shall be supported by substantial evidence in the record. c. If an agency makes a statement of overriding considerations, the statement should be included in the record of the project approval and should be mentioned in the notice of determination. This statement does not substitute for, and shall be in addition to, findings required pursuant to CEQA Section 15091. Having considered the unavoidable adverse significant impacts of the proposed project, the City Council hereby determines that all feasible mitigation measures have been adopted to minimize, substantially reduce, or avoid the significant impacts identified in the REA /FEIR, and that no additional feasible mitigation is available to further reduce significant impacts. Further, the City Council finds that economic, social, and other considerations of the proposed project outweigh the significant and unavoidable impacts described above, and adopts the following Statement of Overriding Considerations. In making this Finding, the City Council has balanced the benefits of the proposed project against its significant and unavoidable environmental impacts and has indicated its willingness to accept those impacts. 37 January 2015