75B - PH - CLIMATE ACTION PLAN - Laserfiche WebLink

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SANTA ANA CLIMATE ACTION PLAN INITIAL STUDY CITY OF SANTA ANA boundary, is a state designated highway and is located approximately five miles north of the City boundary.o However, implementation of the Draft CAP measures would occur entirely within City limits. Additionally, the City of Santa Ana identifies several scenic corridors within the City that form a specific image of the City. The Scenic Corridors Element of the City's General Plan identifies Main Street, V, Street, and MacArthur Boulevard as primary street corridors and contains policies and programs to enhance the image of the City as viewed from these corridors) However, as discussed above, solar PV systems on commercial or civic structures would likely not be significant enough to block or greatly alter the viewshed and would require Planning and Building Agency review and approval. Additionally, as discussed above, the City of Santa Ana has adopted an ordinance for a streamlined and expedited permit approval process for small residential rooftop solar energy systems per AB 2188. Therefore, the installation of any small residential solar energy system that meet the size and placement requirements set forth in the ordinance would be exempt from local aesthetic policies. Impacts to scenic resources would be less than significant. c) Substantially degrade the existing visual character or quality of the site and its surroundings? Less than Significant Impact. The Draft CAP proposes a variety energy efficiency retrofit programs for existing private and municipal buildings. The Draft CAP also includes incentive -based measures to encourage more local retail service node development, new residential development near retail and employment corridors, and additional employment within or adjacent to residential and retail areas. Encouraging this type of development would result in a mix of land uses and live /work units aimed at reducing automobile use and encouraging bike and pedestrian travel. However, these developments are anticipated to be consistent with Citywide Design Guidelines and Zoning to transition with the existing urban environment. Additionally, as discussed above, the installation of commercial or civic solar PV systems could result in slight changes to existing visual character, but would be subject to Planning and Building Agency approval to determine appropriate sizing and placement prior to installation. However, as discussed above, small residential solar energy systems would not be subject to local aesthetic policies so long as they meet the size and placement requirements. Development would also be subject to Planning and Building Agency review and approval, as well as applicable General Plan policies, to ensure that they would not result in substantial changes to the visual character of the City. Therefore, the impacts to the existing visual character within the City would be less than significant. d) Create a new source of substantial light or glare, which would adversely affect day or nighttime views in the area? Less than Significant Impact. The Draft CAP includes measures related to the installation of solar PV systems on homes, businesses, and municipal facilities. However, solar PV systems are specifically designed to absorb sunlight, not reflect it. Thus, their placement and orientation on private or municipal stauctures would not adversely affect day or nighttime views in the area. In addition, the Draft CAP proposes measures to convert existing high pressure sodium lamp streetlights to more energy efficient LED streetlights. LED streetlights reduce direct and reflected uplight, which are the primary causes of urban sky glow. No new G California Department of Transportation. Officially Designated Scenic Highways. Website: http: / /=dotc,t,�ov /hq /LandArch /16 hvtbility /scenic highw2yshndexhtm, accessed August 31, 2015. 9 City of Santa Ana Planning Division. City of Santa Ana General Plan Scenic Corridors Element. Adopted September 20, 1982. Available online at: t[r / /wwu ci snnt2 ,,trot c2 us /geuernlplgn /documents /ScenicCorrido rs pdf, accessed August 31, 2015. Page 22 October 2015 75B -120