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HomeMy WebLinkAbout1990-12-05; Planning Commission; Resolution 3161I1 w e PLANNING COMMISSION RESOLUTION NO. 3161 A RESOLUTION OF THE PLANNING COMMISSION OF THE DECLARATION FOR A PLANNING COMMISSION DETERMINATION OF GENERAL, PLAN CONSISTENCY TO MAIN. 1 2 WHEREAS, the Planning Commission did on the 5th day of December, 7 CASE NAME: HOME PLANT, CITY OF CARLSBAD 5 CONSTRUCT A SEWAGE PUMP STATION AND FORCE # CITY OF CARLSBAD, CALIFORNIA APPROVING A NEGATIVE 3 6 CASE NO.; PCD/GPC 90-2 8 and 9 1990, hold a duly noticed public hearing as prescribed by law to consider said request, 10 11 12 WHEREAS, at said public hearing, upon hearing and considering all testimony and arguments, examining the initial study, analyzing the information 13 14 I'7 as follows: 16 NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT HEREBY RESOLVED by the Planning Commission 15 Commission considered all factors relating to the Negative Declaration. A) That the foregoing recitations are true and correct. 18 submitted by staff, and considering any written comments received, the Planning B) That based on the evidence presented at the public hearing, the Planning "ND", dated October 4, 1990, and "PII", dated October 1, 1990, attached hereto and made a part hereof, based on the following findings: 19 Commission hereby APPROVES the Negative Declaration according to Exhibit 20 21 22 Findings: 23 have a significant impact on the environment. 24 25 27 3. There are no sensitive resources located onsite or located so as to be significantly 26 project. 1. The initial study shows that there is no substantial evidence that the project may 2. The streets are adequate in size to handle traffic generated by the proposed impacted by this project. 28 W * 1 5. Replacement of the existing Home Plant Sewage Pump Station will reduce the 2 4. The new facilities serve an infill area and will not be growth inducing. 3 4 PASSED, APPROVED, AND ADOPTED at a regular meeting of the Planning 5 6 Commission of the City of Carlsbad, California, held on the 5th day of December, 1990, by the following vote, to wit: potential for future sewage spills into Bum vista Lagoon. 7 a AYES: Chairperson Schramm, Commissioners: Schlehuber, Holmes, McFadden, Erwin, Marcus & Hall. 9 ll NOES: None. 10 11 12 ABSENT: None. ABSTAIN: None. 13 14 15 16 ATTEST: CARLSBAD PLANNING COMMISSION 17 l8 - 0, 19 1 PLANNING DIRECTOR 2o I 21 II 22 23 24 25 26 27 PC RES0 NO. 3161 -2- 28 /I I NEGATIVE DECLARATION PROJECT ADDRESS/LOCATION: West of Carlsbad Boulevard, east of the railroad (APN: 155-20-1, 2). PROJECT DESCRIPTION: Construction of a Sewage Pump Station, Force Main and demolition of an existing sewage pump station and trickle filter facility. The City of Carlsbad has conducted an environmental review of the above described project pursuant to the Guidelines for Implementation of the California Environmental Quality Act and the Environmental Protection Ordinance of the City of Carlsbad. As a result of said review, a Negative Declaration (declaration that the project will not have a significant impact on the environment) is hereby issued for the subject project. Justification for this action is on file in the Planning Department. A copy of the Negative Declaration with supportive documents is on file in the Planning Department, 2075 Las Palmas Drive, Carlsbad, California 92009. Comments from the public are invited. Please submit comments in writing to the Planning D artment within 30 days of date of issuance. /”/” DATED: October 4, 1990 CASE NO: PCD/GPC 90-2 &?Ai+ by CH L J. HOL ILLER Planni g Director APPLICANT: City of Carlsbad PUBLISH DATE? October 4, 1990 JG:rvo 2075 Las Palmas Drive - Carlsbad, California 92009-4859 - (619) 438-1 161 w - ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT ASSESSMENT FORM - PART 11 (TO BE COMPLETED BY THE PLANNING DEPARTMENT) CASE NO. PCD/GPC 90-2 DATE: octo bee 1 : r??o IKGROUND , CASE NAME: Home Plant Sewage Pump Station and Force Main , APPLICANT: City of Carlsbad . ADDRESS AND PHONE NUMBER OF APPLICANT: 2075 Las Palmas Drive Carlsbad, CA 92009 1619) 438-1161 DATE EIA FORM PART I SUBMITTED: March 16.1990 PROJECT DESCRIPTION: Construction of a sewage " pump station, 10" diameter force main running 1.900 lineal feet. and demolition of an existing sewage pumt, station and trickle filter facility. VIRONMENTAL IMPACTS ZTE CEQA GUIDELINES, Chapter 3, Article 5, section 15063 requires that the City conduct an rironmental Impact Assessment to determine if a project may have a significant effect on the environment. ? Environmental Impact Assessment appears in the following pages in the form of a checklist. This checklist ntifies any physical, biological and human factors that might be impacted by the proposed project and ,vides the City with information to use as the basis for deciding whether to prepare an Environmental pact Report or Negative Declaration. A Negative Declaration may be prepared if the City perceives no substantial evidence that the project or any of its aspects may cause a significant effect on the environment. On the checklist, "NO" will be checked to indicate this determination. An EIR must be prepared if the City determines that there is substantial evidence that any aspect of the project may cause a siRnificant effect on the environment. The project may qualify for a Negative Declaration however, if adverse impacts are mitigated so that environmental effects can be deemed insiRnificant. - These findings are shown in the checklist under the headings 'YES-sig" and YES-insig" respectively. iliscussion of potential impacts and the proposed mitigation measures appears at the end of the form under SCUSSION OF ENVIRONMENTAL EVALUATION. Particular attention should be given to discussing .tigation for impacts which would otherwise be determined significant. e PHYSICAL ENVIRONMENT Z THE PROPOSAL DIRECTLY OR INDIRECTLY Result in unstable earth conditions or increase the exposure of people or property to geologic hazards? Appreciably change the topography or any unique physical features? Result in or be affected by erosion of soils either on or off the site? Result in changes in the deposition of beach sands, or modification of the channel of a river or stream or the bed of the ocean or any bay, inlet or lake? Result in substantial adverse effects on ambient air quality? , Result in substantial changes in air movement, odor, moisture, or temperature? , Substantially change the course or flow of water (marine, fresh or flood waters)? , Affect the quantity or quality of surface water, ground water or public water supply? . Substantially increase usage or cause depletion of any natural resources? I. Use substantial amounts of he1 or energy? 1. Alter a significant archeological, paleontological or historical site, structure or object? -2- 0 YES YES NO (sig) (insig) X - X - - - - - - - - - - 7 X X - X X X X X X - X I. 0 0 BIOLDGICAL ENVIRONMENT L THE PROPOSAL DIRECTLY OR INDIRECTLY Affect the diversity of species, habitat or numbers of any species of plants (including trees, shrubs, grass, microflora and aquatic plants)? Introduce new species of plants into an area, existing species? or a barrier to the normal replenishment of Reduce the amount of acreage of any agricultural crop or affect prime, unique or other farmland of state or local importance? Affect the diversity of species, habitat or numbers of any species of animals (birds, land animals, all water dwelling organisms and insects? x!$s Ei3 - - - - - , Introduce new species of animals into an area, or result in a barrier to the migration or movement of animals? HUMAN ENVIRONMENT LL THE PROPOSAL DIRECTLY OR INDIRECTLY: . Alter the present or planned land use of an area? . Substantially affect public utilities, schools, police, fire, emergency or other public services? - - xi$s YES (insig) - -3- NO X X - X X X - NO X X e HUMAN ENVIRONMENT 2 THE PROPOSAL DIRECTLY OR INDIRECTLY: Result in the need for new or modifled sewer systems, solid waste or hazardous waste control systems? Increase existing noise levels? Produce new light or glare? Involve a significant risk of an explosion or the release of hazardous substances (including, but not limited to, oil, pesticides, chemicals or radiation)? Substantially alter the density of the human population of an area? Affect existing housing, or create a demand for additional housing? Generate substantial additional traffic? Affect existing parking facilities, or create a large demand for new parking? Impact existing transportation systems or alter present patterns of circulation or movement of people and/or goods? Alter waterborne, rail or air traffic? Increase traffic hazards to motor vehicles, bicyclists or pedestrians? , Interfere with emergency response plans or emergency evacuation plans? . Obstruct any scenic vista or create an aesthetically offensive public view? . Affect the quality or quantity of existing recreational opportunities? -4- w BS E$] - - - - - - - - X - X 7 7 - - - NO X - X X X X X X X - X - X - X X m MANDATORY FINDINGS OF SIGMmCANCE , THE PROPOSAL, DIRECTLY OR INDIRECTLY: ES E21 NO Does the project have the potential to substantially degrade the quality of the environment, substantially reduce the habitat of a fish or wild- life species, cause a fish or wildlife levels, threaten to eliminate a plant or animal community, reduce the number or restrict the range of a rare or en- dangered plant or animal,' or eliminate important examples of the major periods of California history or prehistory. Does the project have the potential to achieve short-term, to the dis- advantage of long-term, environmental goals? (A short-term impact on the environment is one which occurs in a relatively brief, definitive period of time while long-term impacts will endure well into the future.) population to drop below self-sustaining X - X - Does the project have the possible environmental effects which are in- dividually limited but cumulatively considerable? ("Cumulatively con- siderable" means that the incremental effects of an individual project are considerable when viewed in connection with the effects of past projects, the effects of other current projects, and the effects of probable future projects.) . Does the project have environmental effects which will cause substantial adverse effects on human beings, either directly or indirectly? X - X - - -5- 0 0 USSION OF ENVIRONMENTAL EVALUATION ct DescriDtion xoject consists of the construction of two new sewage facilities. A new sewage pump station and force will be constructed adjacent to Carlsbad Boulevard on a triangular shaped area just south of the existing p station on the Home Plant site in the northwest corner of the City of Carlsbad. The pump station eins three 20 horse power variable-speed electric motors and is housed in sub-structure with no building le above it. Also underground will be a diesel fuel storage tank. Adjacent to the underground pump I is a structure made up of all super-structure above ground which contains a standby generator. new force main consists of 1,900 lineal feet of 10" diameter polyvinyl chloride pipe. The alignment of orce main will begin at its connection to the new pump station, travel south under Carlsbad Boulevard, - turn east through an easement in the parking lot of an office building, then through State Street and up ma Drive to the Vista/Carlsbad interceptor at the intersection of Jefferson Street and Laguna Drive. pump station and force main will replace the outdated station that currently exists at the same Home tt site. The existing force main, while adequate to handle the flow from the existing pump station, is not ng enough to withstand the pressure requirements of the new pump station equipment, therefore it must be replaced. .ddition, the old existing pump station and an abandoned trickle filter structure which is located at the site be demolished and removed from the site. The site will then be regraded to cover up the large depression by the trickle filter. sical Environment The new sewage pump station will be located on an existing graded pad area that is level, and the force main will be located under the street, therefore unstable earth conditions or the increased exposure of people or property to geologic hazards is not a concern. The soils are compacted and level, and previous engineering requirements for the streets in which the force main will run under assure that minimal geologic impacts will occur. '3. Minimal grading is proposed to prepare the site for the pump station, generator building and to eliminate the trickle filter. The pump station pad is already fairly level and what excavation that needs to be done to set the pumps into the sub-structure will all be below grade, therefore no appreciable change in topography is anticipated, thus no impacts will result. All areas that are graded are required to be reseeded with ground cover and landscaping so as to prevent additional erosion of the exposed soils and to prevent these soils from washing into Buena Vista Lagoon. /7. The site is not located near a channel of a river or stream and the small size of the developed area of the site will not generate enough runoff to cause appreciable changes to Buena Vista Lagoon. -6- 0 ;CUSSION OF ENVIRONMENTAL EVALUATION (cont'd) The pump station is powered by electric motors, therefore no on-site exhaust emissions will be generated. The station replaces an existing pump station, and the force main runs through a developed area, therefore growth inducement and additional vehicle trip generation due to new commercial and residential development will not result from this project. Construction impacts to air quality will be minimal due to the small size of the project and emissions from heavy equipment is a temporary short term impact, therefore no significant environmental impacts are anticipated with respect to air quality. '8. The project proposes only one small structure and paving for the driveway and a small parking area, therefore there will be no significant impacts on air movement and moisture or temperature. The pump station and force main is a closed system with odor control devices, therefore no sewage odors will escape into the ambient air. This new system will avoid and avert any future sewage overflows created by old and outdated equipment as is characteristic of the existing system. The new motors and the backup generator will help minimize sewage overflows as a result of mechanical failure and an alarm system is in place to notify the authorities when problems occur, therefore the new more powerful equipment will reduce impacts to water quality in Buena Vista Lagoon caused by sewage overflows at the pump station. '10. The new pump station replaces an older, less efficient system and the new location of the pump which will be located on higher ground, in addition to having a shorter force main, a lower pumping head and less power requirements, will all create a more cost-effective system that reduces energy consumption. 1. The area currently contains a pump station, trickle filter and settling pond and the pad area for the new pump station has been previously graded, therefore due to the amount of disturbance on site, no significant archeological, paleontological or historical resources are anticipated. iioloaical Environment 2/13. The site is currently being utilized for a sewage pump station and no native vegetation exists due to previous grading and development. The new pump station will be located in an area that is also void of natural vegetation, therefore no impacts to the diversity of species, habitat or other significanl biological resources is anticipated. 4. The project site contains no agricultural crops or acreage. 15/16. The small nature of the project and the lack of significant biological resources and habitats on site wil: result in non significant impacts to the diversity of species and habitats and the proposed constructior will not introduce new species to the area or restrict the migration and movement of animals. 3uman Environment 17/23. The area surrounding the pump station and force main is urbanized, a pump station currently exisp on the site, and the force main runs under the existing street system, therefore growth inducement i not anticipated and present or planned land use will not be affected. -7- m rn JSSION OF ENVTRONMENTAL EVALUATION (cont’dl 9. The proposed project will improve an existing public service by reducing the potential for sewage overflows at the site and by creating a more dependable and cost-effective sewage pumping system. 1. The pumping station utilizes electric motors that contain residential grade sound mufflers and is not located near residential development, therefore no noise impacts are anticipated. The minimal amount of actual physical development proposed and the fact that additional landscaping will be provided on site, reduces the impacts of light and glare to an insignificant level. During construction of the force main, heavy equipment operations will be restricted to the hours of 7:OO A.M. to sunset on weekdays to minimize noise and dust impacts on surrounding commercial and residential development. The pump station utilizes electric motors to power the sewage pumps, adequate ventilation is provided, and the facility is located below grade, therefore the risks of explosion are insignificant. There will be an underground diesel fuel storage tank that provides fuel for the back-up generator. This storage tank will be double walled and equipped with required monitoring devices. !5. The pump station and force main replace an existing system and no expansion of the sewer system will result, therefore the project will not induce industrial, commercial and residential growth. It also will not increase the demand for new housing or create additional traffic. The new pump station will be on an existing vacant portion of the site and the force main runs along the public right-of-way, therefore existing housing will not be displaced or effected. The force main will run along an easement that is aligned through the parking lot of an existing office building. The sewer main will be placed under the lot and the closure of the parking lot for construction of the main will be temporary, therefore no significant impacts are anticipated. ‘29. The force main will run under Carlsbad Boulevard, State Street and Laguna Drive and during construction of the system, there will be short term impacts to the present patterns of circulation and increased hazards to motor vehicles, bicyclists and pedestrians due to heavy equipment on the street, street closures, the reduction in the size of the travel lanes, trenching and other construction hazards associated with working along an existing and established circulation system. These impacts will be reduced to a level of insignificance by the use of safe construction practices and an approved traffic management plan incorporating appropriate signage, barricades, phasing, detours if necessary, and traffic management during peak hour traffic periods. /30. The proposed project will not alter waterborne, rail or air traffic nor interfere with emergency response plans or evacuation plans. . The project site is located adjacent to the Buena Vista Lagoon, however the new pump station will be located below grade and farther away from the lagoon than the existing pump station and trickle filter, which are both slated for demolition. This area will be regraded and planted with ground cover and the existing trees will remain. The generator building will be the only structure visible from Carlsbad Boulevard and development to the west. To reduce visual and aesthetic impacts to an insignificant level, landscaping will be provided around the facility to create a visual screen and buffer. -8- w - CUSSION OF ENVIRONMENTAL EVALUATION (cont’d) The proposed project will not affect the quality or quantity of existing recreational opportunities. The site is currently being used as a sewage pump facility and the new development is not visible from the lagoon or other public recreational facilities. The proposed project will not substantially degrade the quality of the environment or have significant impacts to flora, fauna, and cultural resources. The site is currently being used as a sewage pump site has been disturbed by prior development. The proposed improvements will enhance the water quality of Buena Vista Lagoon by reducing the potential sewage overflows created by an existing outdated and aging sewage pump facility. The new facility will reduce the risk of sewage flowing into the lagoon reducing mechanical and operation failures of the system. The short term impacts during construction of the pump station and force nyin will be offset by the long range benefits of a more dependable and energy efficient pumping system. No cumulative effects are associated with this project. All development is taking place in areas that have been previously disturbed by development. The project as proposed and designed will have short term construction impacts that could effect human beings, however appropriate plans and procedures have been incorporated into the project that will reduce these impacts to a level of insignificance. station and the replacement of the facility will not impact sensitive environmental resources. The entire -9- @ a@ LYSIS OF VIABLE ALTERNATNES TO THE PROPOSED PROJECT SUCH AS: a) Phased development of the project, b) alternate site designs, c) alternate scale of development, d) alternate uses for the site, e) development at some future time rather than now, f) alternate sites- for the proposed, and g) no project alternative. i) The nature of the project prohibits phasing. A sewage pumping system is a closed system requiring all links within the system to be in place before the system is operational. b) This particular site currently has an existing pumping facility so it is the logical location for a replacement facility. Moving the pumping station further south on the site will help its pumping efficiency and save energy costs. c) The proposed pumping station and force main are designed to handle the sewage demands placed upon it by the surrounding development, therefore a smaller facility or sewer line would be inadequate to handle and pump the required volumes of effluent and subsequent sewage overflows into Buena Vista Lagoon would occur. 'f) The site currently has an established pumping facility, therefore replacement of the facility at the same location concentrates the construction impacts on an already disturbed and developed site and doesn't subject a new area to potential environmental impacts. /g) The age and reliability of the existing pumping facility and the increased threat of pump failure resulting in spillage of sewage into the lagoon makes it imperative that the project not be delayed create a greater potential for environmental damage to the lagoon due to a sewage spill. into the future or that there not be a no project alternative, The no project alternative would -10- V - ERMINATION (To Be Completed By The Planning Department) On the basis of this initial evaluation: , I find the proposed project COULD NOT have a significant effect on the environment, and a NEGATIVE DECLARATION will be prepared. I find that although the proposed project could have a significant effect on the environment, there will not be a significant effect in this case because the mitigation measures described on an attached sheet have been added to the project. A Conditional Negative Declaration will be proposed. I find the proposed project MAY have a significant effect on the environment, and an ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT REPORT is required. b-f- yo % Date ID-/ -5d 1 Date rV0 T MITtGATING MEASURES (IF APPLICABLE1 TACH MITIGATION MONITORING PROGRAM (IF APPLICABLE) -11- w - PPLICANT CONCURRENCE WITH MITIGATING MEASURES THIS IS TO CERTIFY THAT I HAVE REVIEWED THE ABOVE MITIGATING MEASURES AND CONCUR WITH THE ADDITION OF THESE MEASURES TO THE PROJECT. Date Signature -1 2-