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HomeMy WebLinkAboutCity Council - 5786TA1. RESOLUTION NO. 2 A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF HUNTINGTON BEACH MAKING CERTAIN FINDINGS REGARDING THE ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACTS OF THE PROPOSED ACTIONS WITH RESPECT TO THE PROPOSED REDEVELOPMENT PLAN FOR THE HUNTINGTON BEACH-BEACH BOULEVARD REDEVELOPMENT PROJECT, AND ADOPTING A STATEMENT OF OVERRIDING CONSIDERATIONS WHEREAS, the Huntington Beach Redevelopment Agency has prepared an Environmental Impact Report (EIR) for the Huntington Beach-Beach Boulevard Redevelopment Project (Project); and A draft EIR has been prepared and circulated pursuant to the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) and State and Agency Guidelines adopted pursuant thereto; and A duly noticed public hearing was held by the Agency on March 16, 1987, at which all interested persons were given an opportunity to be heard; and A final EIR, relating to the proposed Redevelopment Plan for the Huntington Beach-Beach Boulevard Redevelopment Project and responding to the concerns raised during the review period and at the public hearing has been prepared pursuant to said statute and guidelines; and The Agency has reviewed and considered the information con- tained in the final EIR for the proposed Redevelopment Plan for the Huntington Beach-Beach Boulevard Redevelopment Project, and adopted Resolution No. 142 certifying the completeness of the final EIR on May 20 , 1987. NOW, THEREFORE, the City Council of •the City of Huntington Beach does hereby find and resolve that: 1.The City Council certifies that the final EIR has been completed in compliance with CEQA. 2.The City Council certifies that the information contained in the final EIR for the Redevelopment Plan for the Huntington Beach-Beach Boulevard Redevelopment Project has been reviewed and considered by the members of the City Council, in accordance with State Guidelines Section 15090. 2. 3. The City Council hereby finds with respect to the signifi- cant environmental effects detailed in the final EIR for the Redevelopment Plan for the Huntington Beach-Beach Boulevard Redevelopment Project, in accordance with State Guidelines Section 15091 and 15092: (a)That the adverse environmental impacts of the Huntington Beach-Beach Boulevard Redevelopment Project set forth in the final EIR, including those raised in comments on the draft EIR, have been considered and recognized by the City Council. (b)That based on information contained in the final EIR, a public record on file in the offices of the Agency, incorporated herein by this reference, and information set forth in Attachment "A" (attached hereto and incorporated herein by this reference), the City Council finds that determines that measures have been required in or incorporated into the Huntington Beach-Beach Boulevard Proposed Redevelopment Plan which mitigate and thereby eliminate, substantially lessen, or lessen each of the significant adverse environmental impacts identified in the final EIR relating to land use (pp. 58-68); air quality (pp. 25-39); and transporta- tion/circulation (pp. '77-99) (c)That no additional adverse impacts other than those identified above will have a significant effect or result in a substantial or potentially substantial adverse change in the environment as a result of the proposed Project. 4. The City Council hereby finds and determines that all significant environmental effects identified in the final EIR have been reduced to an acceptable level in that: (a)All significant environmental effects that can feasibly be avoided have been eliminated or substantially lessened as determined through the findings set forth in paragraph 3(b) of this Resolution; (b)Based upon the final EIR and other documents and information in the record, all remaining, unavoidable significant effects of the proposed Project, as set forth in paragraph 3(b) of this Resolution, are overridden by the benefits of the Project as described in Section II of Attachment "A;" and the,ettyoqouhcil ATTEST: City Clerk APPROVED AS TO FORM: REVIEWED AND APPROVED: ty Director, evelopment hereby approves and adopts said Section II of said Attachment "A" as a Statement of Overriding Considerations for the proposed Project; and (c) Based upon the final EIR, the documents in the record and upon Attachment "A," specific economic, social or other con- siderations make infeasible other project alternatives identified in said final EIR. 5. The City Council hereby authorizes and directs that a Notice of Determination with respect to the final EIR, and all other actions taken in furtherance thereof be filed. PASSED AND ADOPTED by the City Council of the City of Huntington Beach at a regular meeting thereof held on the day of , 1987. Mayor 2277L 3. ATTACHMENT "A" SIGNIFICANT ENVIRONMENTAL EFFECTS, MITIGATION MEASURES, AND STATEMENT OF OVERRIDING CONSIDERATIONS RELATING TO THE PROPOSED REDEVELOPMENT PLAN FOR THE HUNTINGTON BEACH - BEACH BOULEVARD REDEVELOPMENT PROJECT Introduction The final Environment Impact Report ("EIR") for the Redevelopment Plan for the Huntington Beach - Beach Boulevard Redevelopment Project identifies three potentially significant adverse environmental impacts from the implementation of the proposed Redevelopment Plan. These impact areas include: land use; air quality; and transportation/circulation. Also identified in the final EIR are impacts which are potentially adverse, but which can be reduced to less than significant levels by mitigation measures included in the final EIR. Each of these mitigation measures is discussed at length in the EIR. The significant adverse environmental effects which cannot be entirely mitigated or avoided are summarized below. I. SIGNIFICANT ENVIRONMENTAL EFFECTS WHICH CANNOT BE ENTIRELY MITIGATED OR AVOIDED A. Land Use (EIR pp. 58 - 68) I. Environmental Impacts The proposed Project is expected to encourage the development of new commercial retail and office uses along with residential uses on vacant sites and sites now occupied by low intensity and dilapidated commercial, office and residential uses. The land use changes as a result of the proposed Project are, in general, considered to be beneficial impacts. The Project is expected to result in more efficient use of available land for more intensive development, and to result in the elimination of unattractive, poorly maintained structures and land uses which prevent the further improvement of the area. The land use change to a higher and better use is a key element to the proposed Redevelopment Project. Impacts discussed throughout the EIR are the direct and indirect environmental impacts of these changes in land use. Over the Project lifetime, the Project is expected to result in the removal or upgrading of a number of visually unattractive land uses. In addition, new structures will be constructed to higher standards of construction, energy conservation, and fire projection. The level of maintenance in the Project Area is expected to be improved as investment in the area increases. Development of vacant parcels in the Project Area would result in the irreversible commitment of these sites to urban uses. High quality development of land uses and increases in intensity in the Project Area are expected to result in some secondary impacts on land uses in other areas of the City. These indirect impacts are discussed under population effects in Section 3.11 (pp. 70-73) and housing impacts in Section 3.12 (pp. 74-76) of the final EIR. 2. Mitigation Measures Changes in land use to a higher and better use are a key element of the proposed Project. The entire final EIR deals with the impacts of this change in land use, and mitigation measures which are intended to deal with the direct and indirect effects of this change. The City's zoning ordinance contains development standards for the development of individual parcels for office and commercial uses. These development standards are intended to reduce impacts of development on adjacent parcels to insignificant levels. Compliance with the provisions of the zoning ordinance and the City's design review of major development projects are expected to reduce impacts of development on adjacent land uses. In addition, the Agency may exercise additional control over development through adoption of a design guide for the proposed Project Area, parts of the proposed Project Area or specific development parcels. B. Air Quality- (EIR pp. 25-39) 1. Environmental Impacts (a)Project Emissions: The proposed Project would result in increased levels of primary pollutant emissions and concentrations than the no Project case. In general, any development in the South Coast Air Basin would result in higher levels of air pollution than would be the case without such development. Project air pollution emissions come from three principal sources: on-site combustion of natural gas for space heating, water heating and cooking; local and regional emissions from vehicles traveling to and from the Project site; and combustion of fuels at power plants to produce electrical power used on the Project site. (b)Carbon Monoxide Concentrations: Continued development of more efficient internal combustion engines and street improvements to improve traffic flow and decrease idling time would result in incremental decreases in carbon monoxide concentrations, in spite of increased volume, compared to existing conditions. However, these levels are still above State standards and the impact is considered significant. Page 2 (c) Construction Emissions: Construction emissions include emissions from motor vehicles used during construction, and emissions of dust and particulates resulting from Project construction. Because the Project would be developed over many years, grading at any given time is not expected to be sufficient to result in unusually high emissions of dust, and this effect is not considered significant. On a regional scale, the proposed Project in conjunction with other redevelopment Projects in the area would result in increased primary pollutant emissions and concentrations. 2. Mitigation Measures: Although the Project itself is not expected to contribute significantly to regional pollution levels, the total of projects constructed in the South Coast Air Basin in the next 10 to 20 years has the potential to adversely affect air quality. Measures to reduce air pollution emissions in the region may be adopted as part of the Air Quality Management Plan. Some of these measures cannot be assured at this time because they depend on regional policies and other actions which are outside the jurisdiction of the City of Huntington Beach. Measures that will reduce the number and length of single occupancy vehicle trips will reduce air pollution emissions. The following mitigation measures are included in the final EIR: •Improvement of existing streets and parkways where only partial improvements exist to the extent redevelopment funds are available and private development takes place in the Project Area. This mitigation measure will reduce dust emissions from unpaved and unimproved streets and sidewalks in the Project Area. •Improvement of traffic flow through improvement of existing streets in the Project Area to higher standards to the extent redevelopment funds are made available from the proposed Project for such improvements. •Street improvements included in the Super Streets Demonstration Project approved by Huntington Beach will be implemented in the Project. Some of these improvements include restriping, intersection widening, bus turnouts and signal modification at selected intersections. .Transportation System Management (TSM) measures to reduce tripmaking, including: Page 3 - Features to encourage walking and the use of bicycles which may include marked bicycle lanes, shorter walking distances from loading and unloading zones to shops, outdoor eating facilities, and covered shelters for loading and unloading. These measures will be implemented by the developer with design review by the City; -Transit use incentives; Continued service by the Orange County Transit District, although this is beyond the control of the City. The Transit District currently has 46 stops along Beach Boulevard within the Project Area. -Initiating employee need surveys for child care facilities; -Instigate the alteration of the normal daily truck delivery routes to avoid congestion at peak hours; -Other measures which may be possible to in-corporate on a development-by-development basis. The Master Plan of Countywide Bikeways depicts two regional Class II (on road, striped lane) bikeways crossing Beach Boulevard in the Project Area. These bikeways are established along Garfield Avenue and Slater Avenue. In addition, local Class II bikeways are established along Yorktown, Talbert, and Heil Avenues at Beach Boulevard. Signing and striping plans with adequate provisions for bicycle travel through these intersections should be provided. These measures are aimed at reducing traffic congestion and air pollution by encouraging the use of bicycles as an alternative mode of transportation. Not all of these mitigation measures may be applicable because the nature of private development that will take place in the Project Area is not known at this time, and specific mitigation measures cannot be identified. However, these mitigation measures should be considered by the Redevelopment Agency of the City of Huntington Beach and private developers. C. Transportation/Circulation: 1. Environmental Impacts: Determining the traffic impact of the Project on Beach Boulevard and the contributing arterials included compiling existing Orange County Transportation Commission (OCTC) data, identifying the number of trips generated by this Project, distributing these trips on the local street network, and comparing the resulting traffic volumes with OCTC projections in the Super Streets MR. The existing situation within the Project Area Page 4 includes Level of Service F conditions for some intersections during peak hours. Mitigation measures included in the "Super Streets" program, and to a lesser extent the Project, would not completely alleviate this problem. Therefore, any additional traffic generated in this area is considered to have a significant impact. In addition to Project-related trips, continued population growth in the region, increasing employment opportunities, and increased development all would result in additional sources of trip production- attraction and would increase the volume of traffic along Beach Boulevard. This continued increase in vehicular volume, some of which would be a result of the proposed Project, would result in continued degradation in the Level of Service (LOS) at major intersections along the Project length unless compensating improvements in capacity are made. The major arterials north of Ellis Avenue, except Talbert Avenue, are currently. operating at LOS D or worse during the afternoon peak hour. By Year 2005, it is projected that all of the major intersections, except Atlanta Avenue, Yorktown Avenue, and Garfield Avenue, would all be operating at LOS E or F without the improvements identified in the "Super Streets" report. This is considered a significant impact on the road system. (a) Trip Distribution: The direction drivers come from and go to is a function of the overall pattern of development in the surrounding urban areas. The Project Area consists predominantly of commercial areas that create trip attractions. Trips to and from the retail areas are projected to be primarily shopping trips by the residents of the surrounding area within approximately three miles. Office trips include a substantially larger proportion of employee trips from greater distances. For purposes of developing a trip distribution model, the Project Area was divided into three distinct, separate zones. Zone 1 includes Edinger south to the mid-block of Talbert and Ellis between Gothard Street and Newland; Zone 2 includes mid-block of Yorktown and Adams between Gothard and Newland; and Zone 3 includes Yorktown and Adams south to mid-block of Atlanta and Hamilton between Main and Newland. The distribution model assumes that trips occurring within each zone along the arterial network have three options. First, trips would occur internally without using Beach Boulevard and would remain within that zone. Second, trips would occur internally, remain within the zone and use Beach Boulevard (assumed to be 15% of trips generated in that block). And third, trips would extend beyond the zone in all directions utilizing Beach Boulevard or the major arterials, or both. Page 5 (b)Trip Generation: The proposed Project is expected to generate approximately 73% more trips within the Project Area compared to existing conditions. This would result in increased volumes along Beach Boulevard and major arterials over existing conditions and would contribute a significant portion of OCTC future projections. Impacts of the proposed Project on the circulation network are expected to be fewer than the GPA alternative. The proposed Project is estimated to generate 14,654 fewer trips per day compared to the GPA alternative. Not all of the trips generated within each zone are expected to use Beach Boulevard as the primary north-south corridor. Some vehicles are expected to use Gothard Street on the west and Newland on the east, along with other minor collector streets to avoid the congestion along Beach Boulevard during the peak hours. Zone generated traffic, based on current General Plan buildout, falls within the high range of current OCTC projections for Zone 1 and Zone 2. However, estimated volumes in Zone 3 exceed current OCTC projections for that segment of Beach Boulevard. In Zones 1 and 2, Project traffic volumes are within OCTC projections, and the assumptions of the Super Streets Project EIR may be approximately used for these intersections. In Zone 3, with the exception of Adams Avenue, which is projected to have a V/C ratio of 0.94 in year 2005 with Project improvements, the remaining intersections have relatively low V/C ratio (0.61-0.72) projections. The estimated increase in traffic volumes would result in the further lowering of the levels of service at those intersections, even with the proposed improvements. The Project Area accounts for approximately 12% of the total area of all three zones and approximately 26% of total trip generation. This higher trip generation is due to the predominance of non-residential uses with higher trip generation rates compared to residential uses. Projected volume/capacity ratios with and without Project improvements for existing and Year 2005 conditions, including both short and long term staging, were compared in the final EIR. Degradation in the level of service is expected along all intersections, even with the implementation of Project related improvements. However, Project improvements would significantly lower volume/capacity ratios at some intersections and would help alleviate some congestion. (c)Parking and Access: "Super Streets" improvements include on-street parking restrictions on Beach Boulevard north of the Ellis/Main intersection. These parking restrictions will reduce available on-street parking for businesses fronting on Beach Boulevard and may result in loss of business for older areas which were not designed to current standards of off-street parking. Driveway elimination or consolidation may also create problems in such areas. Page 6 1 Redevelopment action can mitigate such impacts by aiding businesses in responding to these needed transportation improvements with programs for shared off-street parking and alternate site access. (d)Seasonal Traffic Variation: Beach Boulevard provides direct access from the freeway to Huntington Beach State Park. Traffic volumes along some portions of Beach Boulevard are expected to increase during the summer months compared to the rest of the year. The most recent traffic counts available during the month of July were taken by Caltrans in 1980 and 1983. Higher seasonal variation in traffic volumes is more evident along the southern portion of Beach Boulevard and would have a greater impact in the area compared to the northern portion where daily traffic volumes are already at high levels. The degree of impact as a result of seasonal fluctuations is expected to diminish as a function of distance from the Beach. (e)Accidents: The Statewide average for total accidents on a six-lane arterial in an urban area is 4.1 accidents per million vehicle miles. The Statewide average for fatal plus injury accidents for the same roadway configuration in an urban area is 1.6 accidents per million vehicle miles. The rates reported along Beach Boulevard are significantly higher than the Statewide averages. (f)Maintenance: Increased traffic volumes, especially truck-related traffic from increased commercial development, would be expected to contribute additional wear on the road surface. However, mitigation measures aimed at improving traffic flow, including intersection widening, would result in a general improvement of the existing road surface and this impact is not considered significant. 2. Mitigation Measures: The Orange County Transportation Commission's Super Streets report (March, 1986), identifies a wide range of improvement options for intersections and mid-block sections along Beach Boulevard. The options range from low cost improvements such as signal coordination, restriping to provide additional lanes and signal modifications to selected capital intensive improvements such as intersection grade separations. Mitigation measures discussed in the final EIR will be limited to those identified as being a part of the proposed Project and identified by the Redevelopment Agency for Project funding. Page 7 The primary objective of •these mitigation measures is to identify specific improvements needed to provide reasonable capacity for the existing and projected (Year 2005) traffic volumes on Beach Boulevard. Following is a brief summary of each proposed intersection and mid-block modifications for the Project Area. •Signal Coordination: Improved traffic signal coordination for traffic along Beach Boulevard at each intersection in the Project Area. •Signal Modification: Where the existing or projected intersection level of service analysis indicated that additional signal phasing might be required to accommodate turning volumes, the necessary signal modifications would be installed. .Bus Turnouts: Where OCTD bus routes presently stop at an arterial street intersection with existing or projected heavy traffic volumes, bus turnouts on Beach Boulevard are included if no such turnouts already exist. •Access Control: Several locations indicate that turning movement restrictions or median closures might improve intersection operation. .Intersection Widening With New Right-of-Way: Where the intersection level of service analyses indicate that intersection widening would improve the level of service, but the existing right-of-way does not appear to be sufficient to accommodate such widening, additional right-of-way would be required. •Restriping With Parking Restrictions: This measure is included in areas of existing or projected heavy peak period traffic volumes, where additional travel lanes could be provided by imposing peak period parking restrictions. Tables 23 and 24 contained in the final EIR identify the specific mitigation measures included in the proposed Project and their locations. These measures would help reduce impacts on traffic caused by the proposed Project. However, these mitigation measures alone are not expected to relieve the existing congestion problems and the impact on traffic would still be considered significant. Funding for these improvements would be paid, in part, by the Redevelopment Agency. The Huntington Beach Redevelopment Agency has identified an additional mitigation measure outside of the Project Area aimed at relieving traffic volumes on Beach Boulevard. This would include the extension of Gothard Street to connect with Hoover to the north of the 1-405 Freeway. This would provide additional north-south travel opportunities. Page 8 This information is included in the City of Huntington Beach, Gothard Street Extension Draft Report, August, 1986. Onsite parking requirements for individual projects will be determined by the Huntington Beach Zoning Ordinance and Development Code to reduce the potential impact along side streets and Beach Boulevard. All new construction will be required to provide sufficient parking on-site. For those established businesses with insufficient on-site parking, a program of shared parking with neighboring businesses could be established that utilized available parking spaces during off business hours. Potential mitigation for summer traffic volume increases include the installation of signs along the freeway at major arterials other than Beach Boulevard indicating beach access. This measure may reduce beach generated traffic on Beach Boulevard. However, transferring additional traffic to other nearby arterials may result in additional impacts on these areas. The Beach Boulevard/Warner Avenue Grade Separation project was studied in the Super Streets report as a potential mitigation measure. This measure was not included by the City of Huntington Beach in the addopted Super Streets Program. This mitigation measure is not included in the proposed Project because of its high cost (estimated at $3.8 million in the Super Streets draft EIR) and the description of the local area with increased right-of-way required. However, this mitigation measure remains available for the future if development projections are realized and traffic impacts cannot be distributed to other arterials in the network. II. STATEMENT OF OVERRIDING CONSIDERATIONS The proposed Redevelopment Plan for the Huntington Beach - Beach Boulevard Redevelopment Project may have significant effects on the environment as discussed hereinabove. Thus, the Agency has balanced the benefits of the proposed Redevelopment Plan against the unavoidable significant effects identified in the final EIR and set forth in the preceding sections of this document and makes the following findings about the beneficial impacts which will result from implementation of the Project. The Agency has adopted mitigation measures proposed in the final EIR, but to some extent unavoidable significant effects will occur. It is important to highlight the following points: (a) The Project is consistent with the current General Plan, except in two areas where General Plan amendments have been requested, and is expected to result in more efficient use of available land and to result in the elemination of unattractive, dilapidated, and poorly maintained structures and land uses which prevent further improvement of the area; (b) The Project is specifically intended to provide for orderly growth in Huntington Beach insofar as mitigation measures are included in the City's development Ordinances to insure that development occurs in the method and at the proper time that it can be accommodated; (c) Huntington Beach is part of a large urbanized region, thus, the project's role in promoting growth in this region is relatively small in a regional context; (d) additional jobs are Page 9 anticipated to be provided in Huntington Beach as a result of the Project thereby improving the economic base to the benefit of the entire City. Implementation of the Redevelopment Plan conforms to the City's and Agency's objectives of controlling the continued deterioration of the existing business environment, encouraging the elimination and prevention of blight, and ensuring the economic viability of commercial businesses in the Project Area. The proposed Project will upgrade and stabilize the physical and economic environment while providing construction jobs, creating new employment opportunities, attracting employers and promoting community participation of owners, tenants and consumers in the revitalization of their property holdings and community. The proposed Project will improve the utilization of property within the Project Area and public safety. The proposed Project will contribute to an aesthetic environment and a greater sense of pride. Impacts identified as significant from Redevelopment Plan implementation are generally associated with normal growth, progress and prosperity. The proposed Project will provide to the City annual increased revenues from sources such as, but not limited to, property taxes; commercial property rental taxes; telephone taxes; telephone equipment rental taxes; electric franchise taxes; natural gas franchise taxes; sales taxes; retail business taxes; retail property rental taxes; and liquor and cigarette taxes. The Agency finds that the beneficial social and economic effects of the proposed actions, as described above and as described in the final EIR and in the Agency's Report to the City Council on the proposed Redevelopment Plan, override the unavoidable significant effects of the Project and justify approval of the Redevelopment Plan for the Huntington Beach - Beach Boulevard Redevelopment Project as proposed. Page 10