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HomeMy WebLinkAboutCity Council - 96-100 RESOLUTION NO. 96-100 A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF HUNTINGTON BEACH, CALIFORNIA, MAKING CERTAIN FINDINGS AND DETERMINATIONS CONCERNING THE FINAL ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT REPORT FOR THE HUNTINGTON BEACH REDEVELOPMENT PROJECT, MAKING CERTAIN FINDINGS REGARDING THE ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACTS OF THE PROPOSED HUNTINGTON BEACH REDEVELOPMENT PROJECT,AND ADOPTING A MITIGATION MONITORING REPORTING PROGRAM AND A STATEMENT OF OVERRIDING CONSIDERATIONS WHEREAS, the City Council of the City of Huntington Beach, California(the "City") as Lead Agency has prepared a Final Environmental Impact Report("Final EIR' for the proposed Huntington Beach Redevelopment Project; and Said Final FIR is a program EIR, as defined by State and local guidelines for the implementation of the California Environmental Quality Act("CEQA");and The EIR has been prepared and circulated pursuant to CEQA and State CEQA Guidelines adopted pursuant thereto; and A duly noticed public hearing was held by the City Council on August 19, 1996, at which time all interested persons were given an opportunity to be heard; and The Final EIR, which includes the Draft EIR and responses to the concerns raised during the review period and at the public hearing,has been prepared pursuant to said statute and guidelines; and The City Council at its regularly scheduled meeting on October 7, 1996, adopted Resolution No. 96-63 certifying that the Final EIR was completed in compliance with CEQA and State and local guidelines adopted pursuant thereto; and The City Council has reviewed and considered the information contained in the Final EIR and other documents in the record with respect to the proposed Huntington Beach Redevelopment Project. NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED by the City Council of the City of Huntington Beach, California as follows: Secton 1. The City Council hereby finds and determines that implementation of the proposed Huntington Beach Redevelopment Project will not have any significant effects on the environment other than those set forth in the General Plan EIR with implementation of mitigation measures contained in the FIR and included in Attachment "A." 1 Section 2. The City Council hereby finds as follows regarding the environmental impacts of the proposed Huntington Beach Redevelopment Project detailed in the Final EIR: a. That the environmental effects of the proposed Huntington Beach Redevelopment Project, including those raised in comments on the Draft EIR, have been considered and recognized by the City Council. b. That, based on information set forth in Chapter 4.0 of the Final EIR, and in the Statement of Findings for the proposed Huntington Beach Redevelopment Project, attached to this Resolution as Attachment"A" and incorporated herein by reference,the City Council finds and determines that the proposed Huntington Beach Redevelopment Plan will not have significant environmental effects on land use, population and housing, earth resources,water quality, air quality, transportation and circulation, biological resources, public health (hazards), noise,public services and utilities, aesthetics, cultural and scientific resources, and schools, other than those set forth in the General Plan EIR. C. The City Council also finds and determines that, based on information in the Air Quality section of Attachment "A,"the proposed Huntington Beach Redevelopment Project may have a potentially significant short- term construction air quality impact that can be mitigated to acceptable levels. d. The City Council also finds and determines that,based on information in the Cultural Resources section of Attachment"A,"the proposed Huntington Beach Redevelopment Project may have a potentially significant impact to cultural resources that can be mitigated to acceptable levels. e. As to displacement effects that may result from the demolition and new construction activities associated with implementation of the Huntington Beach Redevelopment Project, identified in Section 4.2 of the Final EIR and Attachment"A,"the City Council finds and determines that the mitigation measure identified in the Final EIR and in Attachment"A" will reduce housing and population effects to acceptable levels. f. The City Council finds and determines that no additional environmental effects 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 implementation of the proposed Huntington Beach Redevelopment Project. 2 SF/s:PCD:Resolution:EIR-11-4 11/5/96 42 RLS 96-806 g. The City Council hereby adopts the findings and measures and statements contained in Exhibits A and B, and hereby incorporates Exhibits A and B by this resolution. Section 3. The City Council hereby finds and determines that all significant effects identified in the Final EIR have been reduced to an acceptable level of significance in that: a. All environmental effects that can feasibly be avoided have been eliminated or substantially lessened, as determined through the findings set forth in paragraphs 1 and 2 of this Resolution; and b. Based upon the Final EIR, Attachment"A"and other documents and information in the record, specific economic, social and other considerations make infeasible other project alternatives identified in the Final EIR. C. The City Council hereby adopts Attachment`B" as its Mitigation Reporting and Monitoring Program for implementation of the proposed Huntington Beach Redevelopment Project. d. The City Council hereby adopts Attachment "C" as a Statement of Overriding Consideration for implementation of the proposed Huntington Beach Redevelopment Project. PASSED AND ADOPTED by the City Council of the City of Huntington Beach at a regular meeting thereof held this 18th day of November , 1996. Mayor ATTEST: APPROVED AS TO FORM: City Clerks City Attorney REV EWED AND APPROVED. INITIA O cA City Administrator Dire r con is Developrnent 3 SFA MAesolution:EIR-11-4 11/5/96 42 RLS 96-806 4-� q&—rot, Attachment A STATEMENT OF FINDINGS HUNTINGTON BEACH REDEVELOPMENT PROJECT Section 15091 of the CEQA Guidelines states that.- "No public agency shall approve or carry out a project for which an EIR has been completed which identifies one or more significant environmental effects of the project unless the public agency makes one or more written findings for each of those significant effects, accompanied by a brief explanation of the rationale for each finding." The possible findings for each significant adverse impact are the following: Changes or alterations have been required in, or incorporated into, the project that avoid or substantially lessen the significant environmental effect as identified in the Final EIR (§15091 fall) Such changes or alterations are within the responsibility and jurisdiction of another public agency and not the agency making the finding. Such changes either have been adopted by such other agency or can and should be adopted by such other agency (§95099[a]2). Specific economic, social, or other considerations make infeasible the mitigation measures or project alternatives identified in the Final EIR (§95099[a]3). Although the EIR for the Huntington Beach Redevelopment Project Amendment/Merger(known hereafter as the Amendment/Merger) identified effects of the project and mitigation measures to reduce these effects, the project did not result in significant unavoidable adverse impacts. However, the following text identifies the effects of the project as it relates to each topical section in the EIR and specifies how the mitigation measures will lessen the effects. LAND USE The intent of the Amendment/Merger is to provide a vehicle for the City's Redevelopment Agency to assist the City in eliminating incompatible land uses and/or blight, and to promote economic development. The Redevelopment Plan for the Amendment/Merger designates permitted land uses within the Merged Project Area consistent with the City of Huntington Beach General Plan. Because there is no development authorized by the Amendment/Merger beyond the growth allowed by the City's adopted General Plan, the Amendment/Merger will have no impact beyond the effects described and mitigated in the General Plan Update EIR. The Draft EIR for the Amendment/Merger incorporates the applicable General Plan policies that mitigate development analyzed in the General Plan. Therefore, there are no significant land use impacts associated with the proposed Amendment/Merger. 1 G:SF-96-Misr-:Attach-A 11/5/96-#1 RLS 96-806 Mitigation Measures None required. POPULATION AND HOUSING The Amendment/Merger does not propose any changes in land use or zoning designation, or policies that would result in any increases in population within the Merged Project Area of the City. The project primarily allows for increased funding opportunities for infrastructure improvements, commercial rehabilitation, and assisted housing projects, which may facilitate development in the area; however, the scale and type (i.e., land use) will be consistent with that projected in the City's General Plan. The Amendment/Merger also facilitates implementation of housing programs in the Merged Project Area, through financing mechanisms, and promotes the City's housing goals. It is estimated that the Redevelopment Agency's activities will facilitate 610 dwelling units, which is 0.6 percent of the General Plan build out. The City must also replace affordable housing units affected by redevelopment activities; therefore, the proposed Amendment/Merger may result in the displacement of low and moderate income families and/or loss of affordable housing units within the Merged Project Area. Redevelopment activities include housing setaside, whereby a portion of the Redevelopment Agency's tax increment revenue is required by the State to be set aside into a special fund of the Agency to meet affordable housing needs within the City. The Agency adopted a relocation plan in conjunction with the preparation of the five existing Redevelopment Plans, and is also required to adhere to the State Relocation Law. The Agency is required to replace affordable housing destroyed or removed as a consequence of a redevelopment project. One of the primary objectives of the Amendment/Merger is the enhancement of existing employment opportunities and economic development within the City. Job creation within the Merged Project will be within the employment projections outlined in the EIR for the General Plan. Mitigation Measures The following mitigation measure will lessen the potentially significant effect to housing and population to a level below significance. The Agency shall relocate any persons or families of low and moderate income displaced by a redevelopment project. The Agency shall adopt and implement a relocation plan pursuant to Sections 33410 through 33411.1 of the California Health and Safety Code. The relocation plan ensures that no families or single persons of low and moderate income are displaced by a redevelopment project until there is a suitable housing unit available and ready for occupancy. Such 2 G:SF-96-Misc:Anach-A 11/5196-#1 RLS 96-806 n �Sti7 housing units shall be available at rents comparable to those at the time of displacement. Further, housing units for relocation are to be suitable for the needs of the displaced household, and must be decent, safe, sanitary, and otherwise standard dwelling. It is the Agency's objective that residents be relocated with the minimum of hardship. EARTH RESOURCES Huntington Center and Main-Pier are located within potential liquefaction zones. Liquefaction is a construction hazard and may lead to severe settlement, lateral dislocation, uplift (heaving) of buried structures and possible overturning of buildings. Although a portion of the Merged Project Area may experience potential liquefaction effects, the City's standard codes and General Plan policies will adequately mitigate this impact to a level below significance. Yorktown-Lake is susceptible to ground rupture impacts due to its location within the Fault Hazard Zone. The remainder of the Merged Project Area is not within the Fault Hazard Zone, but all of the Merged Project Area is susceptible to potential ground shaking effects associated with an earthquake. The City's standard codes and General Plan policies will adequately mitigate this impact to a level below significance. Yorktown-Lake and Main-Pier contain oil fields that are typically locations of subsidence. Subsidence can cause settlement of engineered structures built above oil fields, potentially leading to distress to foundations and other structural elements. The City's standard codes and General Plan policies will adequately mitigate this impact to a level below significance. Due to the location of Yorktown-Lake and Main-Pier within a Methane Overlay District, the likelihood of methane exposure during construction is prominent. Therefore, future development and redevelopment within these two areas may create exposure to methane gas. Mitigation Measures City and State codes, development review processes, and General Plan policies will mitigate these potential impacts to a level below significance. WATER RESOURCES Redevelopment within the Merged Project Area may increase the amount of urban runoff and water pollution, including siltation/sedimentation. 3 G:SF-96-Mist:Attach-A 11/5196-#1 RLS 96-806 Mitigation Measures Existing regulations requiring water quality management plans and NPDES permitting prior to construction reduce potential effects to less than significant. AIR QUALITY The Amendment/Merger will not result in any new development that has not been analyzed as part of the previous Redevelopment Plans or as part of the City's General Plan. However, future redevelopment within the Merged Project Area will result in short- term construction and vehicle exhaust emission impacts. Site clearing, grading, equipment travel on unpaved surfaces, and demolition of existing improvements may result in an increase of fugitive dust during construction within the Merged Project Area. In addition, an increase of contaminated soil, dust and other pollutants may result during grading operations within the Merged Project Area. Mitigation Measures Construction Exhaust Emissions Mitigation for both heavy equipment and vehicle travel is limited. However, exhaust emissions from construction equipment shall be controlled by the applicant's contractor in a manner that is consistent with standard mitigation measures provided within the AQMP, to the extent feasible. The measures to be implemented are as follows: Use low emission on-site mobile construction equipment; Maintain equipment in tune, per manufacturer's specifications; Use catalytic converters on gasoline powered equipment; Use reformulated, low-emissions diesel fuel; Substitute electric and gasoline powered equipment for diesel powered equipment, where feasible; Where applicable, do not leave equipment idling for prolonged periods (i.e., more than five minutes); and Curtail (cease or reduce) construction during periods of high ambient pollutant concentrations (i.e., Stage 2 smog alerts). 4 &sF-96-Misc:Attach-A 11/5/96-#1 RL5 96-806 9�- t00 The City shall verify use of the above measures during normal construction site inspections. Fugitive Dust The applicant shall implement standard mitigation measures in accordance with SCAQMD Rules 402 and 403, to control fugitive dust emissions and ensure that nuisance dust conditions do not occur during construction. These measures may include the following: Spread soil binders on site, unpaved roads, and in parking areas; Water the site and equipment in the morning and evening; Reestablish ground cover on the construction site through seeding and watering; Phase grading to prevent the susceptibility of large areas to erosion over extended periods of time; Schedule activities to minimize the amounts of exposed excavated soil during and after the end of work periods; Dispose of surplus excavated material in accordance with local ordinances and use sound engineering practices; Restore landscaping and irrigation removed during construction, in coordination with local public agencies; Sweep streets on a daily basis if silt is carried over to adjacent public thoroughfares or occurs as a result of hauling; Suspend grading operations during high winds in accordance with Rule 403 requirements; Wash off trucks leaving site; Maintain a minimum 12 inch freeboard ratio on haul trucks; and Cover payloads on haul trucks using tarps or other suitable means. Volatile Organic Emissions The application of paints and coatings and asphalt paving material will raise significant quantities of VOC emissions during their application. 5 G:SF-96-Misc:Attach-A 1115196-#1 RLS 96-806 �, tg 01(er1o�o Where feasible, emulsified asphalt or asphaltic cement shall be utilized. The use of rapid and medium cure cutback asphalt should be avoided whenever possible. Where feasible, low VOC paints, primers, and coatings, as well as precoated materials, shall be specified. Contaminated Soils and Dusts In larger areas of both surface and subsurface contamination, a site assessment will be conducted before any construction takes place at that locale. At locations where spillage of fluids from the petroleum extraction process has occurred, the soils will be remediated using appropriate techniques. Removal of petroleum contamination will also alleviate the generation of hydrogen sulfide and its attendant odor. These activities would fall under the direction of both Total and State agencies, which would "sign off' on the remediation effort upon completion. If unforeseen areas of subsurface contamination are encountered during excavation activities, these activities would be curtailed in this area until the area could be evaluated and remediated, as appropriate. Any structures to be demolished will have an asbestos survey performed by personnel trained and certified in asbestos abatement. Any existing asbestos will be removed and disposed of in accordance with sound engineering practice and federal regulations. Implementation of these measures will reduce potentially significant contamination issues to a level that is less than significant. TRANSPORTATION AND CIRCULATION The Amendment/Merger maintains the same land use designations and intensities as the General Plan, and the Amendment/Merger traffic setting and forecasts are the same as those in the General Plan. Therefore, no circulation impacts are forecast that were not considered in the General Plan Update EIR. Mitigation Measures None required. All development will be subject to General Plan Policies in the General Plan EIR regarding transportation and circulation. BIOLOGICAL RESOURCES No significant impacts to biological resources are identified with the Amendment/Merger. Minor wetland impacts of development of the waterfront site at PCH and Beach Boulevard could occur, and a minor increase in human intrusion could occur, but these are not considered significant. 6 G;SF-96-Misc:Attach-A, 11/5196-#1 RLS 96-806 Mitigation Measures None required. PUBLIC HEALTH(HAZARDS) Future development and redevelopment related to the Amendment/Merger may incrementally increase exposure to hazardous materials during construction of operation. Mitigation Measures Existing City and State codes and General Plan policies will mitigate potential impacts to a level below significance. NOISE The Amendment/Merger may result in increased construction related noise in the Merged Project Area. Mitigation Measures Existing City codes and General Plan policies will mitigate potential impacts to a level below significance. PUBLIC SERVICES AND UTILITIES The Amendment/Merger may result in increased demand on existing public services and utilities. Mitigation Measures Existing General Plan policies limit growth if infrastructure is not available to serve the increased demand_ AESTHETICS Future redevelopment projects resulting from the Amendment/Merger may alter existing views. 7 G:SF-96-Misc:Attach-A 11I5I96-#1 RLS 96-806 Mitigation Measures City development review processes, design guidelines, and General Plan policies will reduce impacts to a level below significance. CULTURAL AND SCIENTIFIC RESOURCES Future projects resulting from the Amendment/Merger may disrupt or impact historical resources. In addition, future projects within the Merged Project Area may encounter previously unknown archaeological and paleontological resources. Mitigation Measures The following mitigation measure will lessen the potentially significant effect to cultural resources to a level below significance: Prior to the commencement of new construction that would displace or require demolition of potentially significant resources, a complete assessment shall be prepared for any of the potentially historic buildings identified in the present report within the Merged Project Area. At a minimum, this assessment shall include the following documentation: A) A full description of each building including architectural style, roof design, window design, type of foundation, exterior wall treatments, special architectural features, etc. B) Black and white photographs showing one or more facades of each building. C) A determination of construction date from existing records, such as building permit record books on file in the Planning Department at the City of Huntington Beach. In the event that records cannot be located for some of the buildings, interviews should be conducted with members of the local historical society or other individuals who may have relevant data to share. D) A competent architectural historian should be consulted prior to the demolition of any of the potentially historic buildings identified in the present study. Additional measures may be implemented as a result, if necessary to prevent an adverse impact. Should any cultural artifacts, archaeological resources or paleontological resources be uncovered during grading or excavation, a County of Orange certified archaeologist or paleontologist shall be contacted by the Community 8 G:SF-96-Misc:Attach-A 11/5196-#1 RLS 96-806 14S �& t uo Development Director to: 1) ascertain the significance of the resource, 2) establish protocol with the City to protect such resources, 3) ascertain the presence of additional resources, and 4) provide additional monitoring of the site, if deemed appropriate. Monitors trained in fossil recognition, fossil recovery and heavy equipment monitoring shall be on site during grading operations. A copy of the present report shall be placed in the collection of historic documents on file at the Huntington Beach Central Library or another suitable local archive. SCHOOLS Because there is no development authorized by the Amendment/Merger beyond the growth allowed by the City's adopted General Plan, the Amendment/Merger will have no impact beyond the effects described and mitigated in the General Plan Update EIR. This will not result in physical impacts on the environment. In addition, development fees, State financing, and requirements for continued levels of tax funding for affected school districts lessen potential impacts to a level below significance. Mitigation Measures The Final EIR for the Amendment/Merger incorporates the applicable General Plan policies regarding potential impacts on schools as analyzed in the applicable General Plan. 9 G:SF-96-Misc:Attach-A 1115196-N l RLS 96-806 &� '� ('— f c9-0 Attachment B MITIGATION MONITORING PROGRAM FOR THE HUNTINGTON BEACH REDEVELOPMENT PROJECT PREPARED FOR: City of Huntington Beach Department of Economic Development 2000 Main Street Huntington Beach, CA 92648 Contact: Stephen V. Kohler, Project Manager (714) 536-5582 or Linda Niles, Community Planning Department (714) 536-5271 PREPARED BY LSA Associates, Inc. One Park Plaza, Suite 500 Irvine, CA 92614 Contact: Robert W. Balen, Principal (714) 553-0666 LSA Project#RSG630 October 18, 1996 ,t,s � MITIGATION MONITORING PROGRAM This mitigation monitoring and reporting program has been prepared in compliance with Public Resources Code Section 21086.6. It describes the requirements and procedures to be followed by the City of Huntington Beach to ensure that all mitigation measures adopted as part of the Amendment/Merger will be carried out as described in the EIR. Table 1.A lists each of the mitigation measures specified in the EIR, and identifies the party(ies) responsible for implementation and monitoring of each measure. 1 G:SF-96-M isc:Attach-B 11/5/96-#1 RLS 96-806 Table 1.A - Mitigation Monitoring and Reporting Requirements Responsible Party for Timing for Mitigation Environmental Topic Mitigation Measure Implementation Monitoring Measure 4.2 Population and 4.2-A The Agency shall relocate any Economic Development Economic Development Prior to the issuance of Housing persons or families of low and moderate Director(or designee) Director(or designee) any project requiring income displaced by a redevelopment removal or displacement of project. The Agency shall adopt and housing. implement a relocation plan pursuant to Sections 33410 through 33411.1 of the California Health and Safety Code. The relocation plan ensures that no families or single persons of low and moderate income are displaced by a redevelopment project until there is a suitable housing unit available and ready for occupancy. Such housing units shall be available at rents comparable to those at the time of displacement. Further, housing units for relocation are to be suitable for the needs of the displaced household, and must be decent, safe, sanitary, and otherwise standard dwelling. It is the Agency's objective that residents be relocated with the minimum of hardship. G 2 d G:SF-96-Misc:Anach-13 1115/96-#1 RLS 96-806 4.5 Air Quality Construction Exhaust Emissions Community Development Community Prior to the issuance of 4.5-A Mitigation for both heavy Director(or designee) Development Director any grading or building equipment and vehicle travel is limited. (or designee) permits associated with the However, exhaust emissions from Merged Project Area, construction equipment shall be controlled by the applicant's contractor in a manner that is consistent with standard mitigation measures provided within the AQMP, to the extent feasible_ The measures to be implemented are as follows: Use low emission on-site mobile construction equipment; Maintain equipment in tune, per manufacturer's specifications; Use catalytic converters on gasoline powered equipment; Use reformulated, low- emissions diesel fuel; Substitute electric and gasoline powered equipment for diesel powered equipment, where feasible; Where applicable, do not leave equipment idling for prolonged periods (i.e., more than five minutes); and Curtail (cease or reduce) construction during periods of high ambient pollutant concentrations (i.e., Stage 2 smog alerts). The City shall verify use of the above measures during normal construction site inspections. -s� 3 G:SF-96-M&Attach-B 11/5/96-#1 RLS 96-806 Fugitive Dust 4.5-B The applicant shall implement Community Development Community Prior to the issuance of standard mitigation measures in Director(or designee) Development Director building or grading permits accordance with SCAQMD Rules 402 and (or designee) associated with the 403, to control fugitive dust emissions and Merged Project Area. ensure that nuisance dust conditions do not occur during construction. These measures may include the following: Spread soil binders on site, unpaved roads, and in parking areas; Water the site and equipment in the morning and evening; Reestablish ground cover on the construction site through seeding and watering; Phase grading to prevent the susceptibility of large areas to erosion over extended periods of time; Schedule activities to minimize the amounts of exposed excavated soil during and after the end of work periods; Dispose of surplus excavated material in accordance with local ordinances and use sound engineering practices; Restore landscaping and irrigation removed during construction, in coordination with local public agencies; Sweep streets on a daily basis if silt is carried over to adjacent public thoroughfares or occurs as a result of hauling; Suspend grading operations during high winds in accordance with Rule 403 requirements; 4 G:SF-96-Misc.Attach-B 11/5/96-#1 RLS%-806 Wash off trucks leaving site; Maintain a minimum 12 inch freeboard ratio on haul trucks; and Cover payloads on haul trucks using tarps or other suitable means. Volatile Organic Emissions 4.5-C The application of paints and Community Development Community Prior to the issuance of coatings and asphalt paving material will Director(or designee) Development Director building or grading permits raise significant quantities of VOC (or designee) associated with the emissions during their application. Merged Project Area. Where feasible, emulsified asphalt or asphaltic cement shall be uti- lized. The use of rapid and medium cure cutback asphalt should be avoided when- ever possible. Where feasible, low VOC paints, primers, and coatings, as well as precoated materials, shall be specified. 5 G:SF-96-Misc:Attach-S 11/5196-#1 RLS 96-806 Contaminated Soils and Dusts 4.5-D In larger areas of both surface and Community Development Community Prior to the issuance of subsurface contamination, a site Director(or designee) Development Director building or grading permits assessment will be conducted before any (or designee) associated with the construction takes place at that locale. At Merged Project Area_ locations where spillage of fluids from the petroleum extraction process has occurred, the soils will be remediated using appropriate techniques. Removal of petroleum contamination will also alleviate the generation of hydrogen sulfide and its attendant odor. These activities would fall under the direction of both local and State agencies, which would"sign off' on the remediation effort upon completion. If unforseen areas of subsurface contamination are encountered during excavation activities, these activities would be curtailed in this area until the area could be evaluated and remediated, as appropriate. 4.5-E Any structures to be demolished Community Development Community Prior to the issuance of will have an asbestos survey performed by Director(or designee) Development Director building or grading permits personnel trained and certified in asbestos (or designee) associated with the abatement. Any existing asbestos will be Merged Project Area. removed and disposed of in accordance with sound engineering practice and federal regulations. Implementation of these measures will reduce potentially significant contamination issues to a level that is less than significant. 6` t 6 G:SF-96-Misr-:Attach-B 1115196-#1 RLS 96-806 4.12 Cultural 4.12-A Prior to the commencement of new Community Development Community Prior to the issuance of Resources construction that would displace or require Director(or designee) Development Director any entire structure demolition of potentially significant (or designee) demolition, grading or resources, a complete assessment shall building permit. be prepared for any of the potentially historic buildings identified in the present report within the Merged Project Area. At a minimum, this assessment shall include the following documentation: A) A full description of each building including architectural style, roof design, window design, type of foundation, exterior wall treatments, special architectural features, etc. B) Black and white photographs showing one or more facades of each building. C) A determination of construction date from existing records, such as building permit record books on file in the Planning Department at the City of Huntington Beach. In the event that records cannot be located for some of the buildings, interviews should be conducted with members of the local historical society or other individuals who may have relevant data to share. D) A competent architectural historian should be consulted prior to the demolition of any of the potentially historic buildings identified in the present study. Additional measures may be implemented as a result, if necessary to prevent an adverse impact. c 7 G:SF-96-Mist:Attach-S 11/5/96-#1 RLS 96-806 4.12-B Should any cultural artifacts, Community Development Community During demolition and archaeological resources or Director(or designee) Development Director grading associated with paleontological resources be uncovered (or designee) the Merged Project Area. during grading or excavation, a County of Orange certified archaeologist or paleontologist shall be contacted by the Community Development Director to: 1) ascertain the significance of the resource, 2) establish protocol with the City to protect such resources, 3) ascertain the presence of additional resources, and 4) provide additional monitoring of the site, if deemed appropriate. 4.12-C Monitors trained in fossil Community Development Community During demolition and recognition, fossil recovery and heavy Director(or designee) Development Director grading associated with equipment monitoring shall be on site (or designee) the Merged Project Area. during grading operations. 4.12-D A copy of the present report shall Community Development Community Prior to the issuance of be placed in the collection of historic Director(or designee) Development Director any demolition, grading, or documents on file at the Huntington Beach (or designee) building permits associated Central Library or another suitable local with the Merged Project archive. Area. 8 G:SF-96-Mist:Attach-S 1115/96-#1 RLS 96-806 ATTACHMENT C SUMMARY OF/AND STATEMENT OF OVERRIDING CONSIDERATIONS FOR ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT REPORT NO. 96-2 In order to make a decision as to whether to approve a project that will have an adverse environmental impact, the benefits of the proposed project must be balanced against its unavoidable, significant adverse impacts. If the benefits of a proposed project outweigh the unavoidable adverse environmental effects, the adverse effects may be considered acceptable (State CEQA Guidelines, Section 15093 (a)). Benefits from a project are defined as those improvements or gains to the community that would not occur without the proposed project. The benefits from adopting the Huntington Beach Redevelopment Project Amendment/Merger are based primarily on the higher quality community environment that will exist as the Merged Project Area develops and infrastructure improvements are made according to the Amendment/Merger. This EIR has identified that the Amendment/Merger may result in significant unavoidable adverse impacts for two environmental issue areas, regardless of implementation of the proposed policies and/or mitigation measures. These environmental issue areas are: air quality and cultural resources. The Agency and the City Council have balanced the benefits of the proposed Project against the unavoidable risks identified in the Final Environmental Impact Report and make the following Statement of Overriding Considerations. 1. The proposed Merged Project will contribute to the creation of a modern, efficient, and balanced urban environment for people of the Redevelopment Project Area and surrounding areas and uses, by providing infrastructure improvements, street and storm drainage systems monitoring and improvements and economic development activities funded through the Merged Project. 2. The proposed Amendment/Merger will eliminate and prevent the spread of blight and deterioration, and will conserve, rehabilitate, and redevelop the Merged Project Area in accordance with the Redevelopment Plan. 3. The proposed Amendment/Merger will encourage the involvement and participation of residents, business persons, and community organization within the Project Area in a coordinated revitalization design to meet the diverse needs of the area. 4. Implementation of the proposed Amendment/Merger will improve social and economic conditions in the entire Merged Project Area by: facilitating the creation of additional commercial retail development offering easily accessible neighborhood oriented goods and services; upgrading deteriorating industrial 1 G:SF-96-Misc:Attach-C 11/5/96-#1 RLS 96-806 and commercial areas by revitalizing existing businesses and generating additional new development opportunities in a more attractive environment; and creating additional recreational and library facilities. 5. New development, rehabilitation of existing structures, landscaping, drainage improvements, and roadway and intersection improvements will improve the overall aesthetics of the Merged Project Area in accordance with plans, policies and mechanisms reflected in the City's recently adopted revised General Plan, such as: (a) The adoption of land use standards; (b) The promotion of architectural and urban design standards including: standards for height; building setback; continuity of street facade; building materials; security lighting; and appurtenances; (c) The promotion of landscape criteria and planting program to ensure additional green space; (d) The promotion of sign and billboard standards; (e) Coordination of the provision of high quality public improvements; and (f) Integration of public safety concerns into planning efforts. 6. Implementation of the proposed Amend ment/Merger will address conditions of blight and effective redevelopment in the Merged Project Area. 7. Implementation of the proposed Amendment/Merger will encourage private sector investment in the development and redevelopment of the Merged Project Area, assist in the revitalization of viable commercial areas, and the development of a viable business environment that positively relates to adjacent land uses. 8. Implementation of the Amend mentlMe rge r will provide for the stabilization of currently declining commercial areas by: providing the thrust for revitalizing the Merged Project Area by occupying vacant buildings and developing on vacant sites; reactivating underutilized structures; and providing additional employment opportunities for small businesses. 9. The proposed Amend mentlMerger will facilitate the successful elimination of blight in the Merged Project Area. The proposed Amendment/Merger will upgrade vacant sites at various key intersections in the Merged Project Area and improve the area's physical and economic environment by providing consumers a variety of much needed additional commercial and civic services. 2 G:SF-96-MisvAttach-C 11/5/96-#1 RLS 96-806 �L. C/� lw 10. Implementation of the proposed Amendment/Merger will encourage and motivate owners and business tenants within the Merged Project Area to revitalize and redevelop their properties. 11. Implementation of the Amendment/Merger will not only benefit the immediate Merged Project Area, but will have spin-off effects of benefiting surrounding commercial uses in other parts of the adjacent community. Assistance by the Agency will stimulate the economic base of the area by motivating commercial and industrial involvement, and improving overall economic conditions, which in turn will benefit the community at large. 12. The Amendment/Merger will attain the purposes of the Community Redevelopment Law through the assemblage of land into parcels suitable for integrated development, and the planning, redesign and development of areas that are stagnant or underutilized. 13. Implementation of the proposed Amendment/Merger will generate new home ownership, and property owner investment will be encouraged by the Amendment/Merger. Property taxes will be used to increase and improve the supply and quality of low and moderate income housing for all age groups. 14. Development and preservation of sound residential neighborhoods in the Merged Project Area shall be encouraged by the promotion of residential property rehabilitation, and implementation of sensitive and well designed infill housing. 15. Implementation of the proposed Amendment/Merger will provide a basis for the location and programming of public service facilities and utilities including, but not limited to, library facilities, street lighting, drainage improvements and roadway improvements, and coordination of the phasing of public facilities with private development. 16. Implementation of the proposed Amendment/Merger will provide the public improvements necessary to eliminate impediments to private investment in the area. 17. Implementation of the proposed Amendment/Merger will provide a full range of employment opportunities for persons of all income levels. 18. Through new investment opportunities, the local job force in the community shall be preserved and expanded. To the extent feasible, developers in the Merged Project Area will be encouraged to hire at least a portion of the workforce to be employed at the new developments from within the City of Huntington Beach. 3 G:SP-96-Misc:Attach-C 1 1 15196-4 1 RL.S 96-806 19. The development of new businesses in the Merged Project Area will provide construction jobs and create new employment opportunities by attracting new employers as tenants, who will, in turn, provide additional employment opportunities. As new development is stimulated, it is anticipated that additional employment opportunities will be achieved as new businesses with new employers/employees replace vacant or underutilized business establishments. 20. New development within the Merged Project Area will provide 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, electrical taxes, natural gas franchise taxes, sales taxes, retail business taxes, retail property rental taxes, and liquor and cigarette taxes. 21. New development brought about by the Merged Project will generate an increase in revenues available to the Agency from tax increments, which can be used to further goals of the Redevelopment Plan. 22. The proposed Amendment/Merger will coordinate the revitalization effort in the five existing Redevelopment Project Areas with one coordinated revitalization effort that will leverage and maximize the effect of other public programs of the City of Huntington Beach and the metropolitan area. 23. The Merged Project is required by provisions included within it to be consistent with the City's General Plan. All land uses, infrastructure and public facility improvements projects, roadway improvement projects, and economic development actions carried out by the Agency in the Merged Project Area must be consistent with the Adopted General Plan. As such, the proposed Amendment/Merger does not allow any economic development activity, physical improvement, or infrastructure improvement that has not already been authorized by the General Plan. In adopting a revised and updated General Plan on May 13, 1996, the City Council made the following findings that also apply to the proposed Amendment/Merger: • The General Plan provides for the development of a variety of housing types to meet the needs of all segments of society by establishing programs for the provision of affordable housing, the preservation and improvement of existing housing, and a provision for the development of housing for people with special needs. • The General Plan provides for the linkage of new development with available and expanded infrastructure and services, including streets, transit, sewers, water, storm drainage, energy, and communication. The timing of development will be phased with the provision of necessary infrastructure/service improvements. 4 G:SF-96-Misc Attach-C 11/5/96-#1 RLS 96-806 14S � �- fv-0 • The Circulation Element of the General Plan provides policies and programs designed to provide a transportation network with adequate capacity to accommodate proposed build out, including mechanisms to monitor and maintain acceptable traffic conditions. • The General Plan will ease the potential effects of traffic, equipment, construction and other noise sources through policies that require the installation of mitigation measures of many different means to ensure that noise levels are maintained within City noise standards. The City of Huntington Beach finds that the unavoidable risks of this project are acceptable when balanced against the benefits of this project for the reasons set forth above. 5 G:SF-96-Misc:Attach-C 1115/96-#1 RLS 96-806 Res. No. 96-100 STATE OF CALIFORNIA ) COUNTY OF ORANGE ) ss: CITY OF HUNTINGTON BEACH ) I, CONNIE BROCKWAY, the duly elected, qualified City Clerk of the City of Huntington Beach, and ex-officio Clerk of the City Council of said City, do hereby certify that the whole number of members of the City Council of the City of Huntington Beach is seven; that the foregoing resolution was passed and adopted by the affirmative vote of at least a majority of all the members of said City Council at a regular meeting thereof held on the 18th of November, 1996 by the following vote: AYES: Harman, Julien, Dettloff, Bauer, Sullivan, Green NOES: None ABSENT: None Garofalo City Clerk and ex-officio Clerk of the City Council of the City of Huntington Beach, California G/resoluti/resbkpg/96-100