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Home My WebLink About1991-02-20; Planning Commission; Resolution 3187., 0 e 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 PLANNING COMMISSION RESOLUTION NO. 3187 A RESOLUTION OF THE PLANNING COMMISSION OF THE CITY OF CARLSBAD, CALIFORNIA RECOMMENDING APPROVAL OF A NEGATIVE DECLARATION FOR A PRECISE PLAN AMENDMENT TO MODIFY THE EXISTING NCTD BUS TRANSIT CENTER AT PLAZA CAMIN0 REAL. CASE NAME: NORTH COUNTY TRANSIT DISTRICT CASE NO.: PP 24(E) WHEREAS, the Planning Commission did on the 20th day of Febru 1991, hold a duly noticed public hearing as prescribed by law to consider said requ and WHEREAS, at said public hearing, upon hearing and considering testimony and arguments, examining the initial study, analyzing the informa submitted by staff, and considering any written comments received, the Plam Commission considered all factors relating to the Negative Declaration. NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT HEREBY RESOLVED by the Planning Commis! as follows: A) That the foregoing recitations are true and correct. B) That based on the evidence presented at the public hearing, the Plm Commission hereby recommends APPROVAL of the Negative Declaration accorc to Exhibit "ND", dated January 10, 1991, and "PII", dated December 26, 15 attached hereto and made a part hereof, based on the following findings: Findings: 1. The initial study shows that there is no substantial evidence that the project have a significant impact on the environment. 2. The site has been previously graded and developed pursuant to an ea environmental analysis. 3. The streets are adequate in size to handle traffic generated by the propc project. , 0 e 4. There are no sensitive resources located onsite or located so as to be significant1 1 PASSED, APPROVED, AND ADOPTED at a regular meeting of the Plannir: 2 impacted by this project. 3 Commission of the City of Carlsbad, California, held on the 20th day of February, 199' 4 5 6 7 8 9 by the following vote, to wit: AYES: Chairperson Holmes, Commissioners: Schlehuber, Schramr McFadden, Erwin, Marcus & Hall. NOES: None. ABSENT: None. 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 2o I ABSTAIN: None. ..- - .. BERT HOLMES, Chairperson CARLSBAD PLANNING COMMISSION ATTEST: PLANNING DIRECTOR 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 PC RES0 NO. 3187 -2- 28 NEGATIVE DECLARATION PROJECT ADDRESS/LOCATION: The project site is located along the north side of Marron Road at Plaza Camino Real. PROJECT DESCRIPTION: Precise Development Plan Amendment to modify the existing North County Transit District bus transfedpickup area at Plaza Camino Real. 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 Department within 21 days of date of issuance. DATED: January 10, 1991 CASE NO: PDP 24(E) MICHAEL J. H~ZMBER Planning Director APPLICANT: Plaza Camino Real Bus Turnout PUBLISH DATE: January 10, 1991 CDC t 2075 LaS Palmas Drive - Carlsbad, California 92009-4859 (619) 438-1 161 0 0 ENVlRONMENTAL IMPACT ASSESSMENT FORM - PART n: (TO BE COMPLETED BY THE PLANNING DEPARTMENT) CASE NO. PDP 24CE) DATE: DECEMBER 26, 199 BACKGROUND 1.. CASE NAME: Plaza Camino Real Bus Turnout 2. APPLICANT: North Countv Transit District 3. ADDRESS AND PHONE NUMBER OF APPLICANT: 311 South Tremont Oceanside. CA 92054 (619) 967-2828 4. DATE EIA FORM PART I SUBMITTED: September 28. 1990 5. PROJECT DESCRIPTION: Precise Development Plan Amendment to modify the existing NCTD transferhickup parking area at Plaza Camino Real. ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACTS STATE CEQA GUIDELINES, Chapter 3, Article 5, section 15063 requires that the City conduct i Environmental Impact Assessment to determine if a project may have a significant effect on the environmer identifies any physical, biological and human factors that might be impacted by the proposed project a] provides the City with information to use as the basis for deciding whether to prepare an Environmenl Impact Report or Negative Declaration. -.c A Negative Declaration may be prepared if the City perceives no substantial evidence that the project any of its aspects may cause a significant effect on the environment. On the checklist, "NO" will be check to indicate this determination. The Environmental Impact Assessment appears in the following pages in the form of a checklist. This checkl: ;': An EIR must be prepared if the City determines that there is substantial evidence that any aspect of t project may cause a sinnificant effect on the environment. The project may qualify for a Negati Declaration however, if adverse impacts are mitigated so that environmental effects can be deem insimificant. These findings are shown in the checklist under the headings YES-sig" and "YES-insi respectively. A discussion of potential impacts and the proposed mitigation measures appears at the end of the form unc DISCUSSION OF ENVIRONMENTAL EVALUATION, Particular attention should be @veri to discussi mitigation for impacts which would otherwise be determined simcant. w PHYSICAL ENVTRONMENT L 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? Use substantial amounts of fuel or energy? Alter a significant archeological, paleontological or historical site, structure or object? - -2 - w YES big) YES (insig) - - - NO X X X x X X X X X X X 0 e BIOLOGICAL ENVIRONMENT JILL THE PROPOSAL DIRECTLY OR INDIRECTLY: 2. Affect the diversity of species, habitat or numbers of any species of plants (including trees, shrubs, grass, microflora and aquatic plants)? 13. Introduce new species of plants into an area, or a barrier to the normal replenishment of existing species? 14. Reduce the amount of acreage of any agricultural crop or affect prime, unique or other farmland of state or local importance? 15. Affect the diversity of species, habitat or numbers of any species of animals (birds, land animals, all water dwelling organisms and insects? 16. Introduce new species of animals into an area, or result in a barrier to the migration or movement of animals? HUMAN ENVIRONMENT WILL THE PROPOSAL DIRECTLY OR INDIRECTLY: 17. Alter the present or planned land use of an area? 18. Substantially affect public utilities, schools, police, fire, emergency or other public services? gs - - - E? - - TE2) - - YES (Inslg) - 7 NO X X X X X NO X X -3 - e HUMAN ENVIRONMENT LL THE PROPOSAL DIRECTLY OR INDIRECTLY: . Result in the need for new or modified 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- 0 gs - - - - - - - - E;) - - - - - NO X X X X X X X X - X X X X X X MANDATORY FINDINGS OF SIGNIFICANCE L THE PROPOSAL DIRECTLY OR INDIRECTLY: 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 population to drop below self-sustaining 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.) 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? as E21 NO X X X - X - -5- CUSStON OF ENVIRONMENTAL, EVALUATION ; project is a Precise Development Plan Amendment to mow the existing North County Transit District TD) bus transfer/pick up parking area at Plaza Camino Real. The NCTD has the capability of providing aximum of five buses at a time with the current parking lot design. The proposed revision would create pate space for eight buses at a time while eliminating bus, pedestrian and automobile conflicts which .ently exist because the buses must travel through the existing parking lot to exit onto Marron Road. The itional three bus parking spaces created through this proposed revision will be necessary for purposes of Ionding to anticipated bus ridership demand. For this environmental analysis, staff conducted several field ; to the project site. In that; (1) the parking lot currently exists, (2) there are no sensitive environmental urces located upon or in close proximity to it, (3) the improved bus service will reduce automobile traffic pedestrian/vehicular traffic conflicts, no environmental impacts are anticipated. There were no public lments received in response to the Notice for a Negative Declaration. sical Environment Because the project site is already developed with a parking lot, and no significant grading activities are proposed with this project, no geologic, topographic or soil erosion impact are anticipated. In that this project will create three more bus parking bays for the NCTD at Plaza Camino Real, the potential exists for automobile trip generation to the mall to be reduced and air quality to be improved consistent with the Regional Air Quality Strategies. This project, which may result in reduced automobile traffic generation, should not effect or have any substantial negative impacts upon air movement, odor, moisture or temperature. This project will not change the course or flow of waters as no streams are located in the immediate area and all drainage waters will be handled by existing drainage facilities. In that the site is already developed and existing drainage facilities exist, no impacts to surface water, groundwater or public water supplies are anticipated. Implementation of this project, (construction, paving, operation) will incrementally contribute to the depletion of fossil fuels. This incremental impact is not regarded as significant. See #9 above, This previously developed site does not have a significant potential of containing archaeological or paleontological objects which have not already been mitigated. The only vegetation that exists on site is parking lot landscaping. Since there is no vegetation (other than parking lot landscaping) on site, no impacts to native species are anticipated. Implementation of this project will not reduce the amount or acreage of any agricultural crop or affect farmland of state or local importance. -6- 0 DISCUSSION OF ENVIRONMENTAL EVALUATION (cont’dl @ 15. Since the site is already developed, no impacts upon species diversity or habitat will result from ti development of the proposed project. 16. No impacts to animal movement or migration will result from this project since the site is alreac developed. Human Environment 17. The proposed project will result in a modification to an existing use already on the project sit Therefore, no land use impacts are anticipated. 18. This project will create no increased demand for public utilities. 19. This project will create no increased demand for sewer, solid or hazardous waste facilities. 20. Construction and operation of this project will not create significant noise impacts upon surroundin commercial uses. 21. Parking lot lighting proposed with this project will have a positive effect on surrounding commercii uses in that it will enhance the night visibility of the bus pick up/transfer area of Plaza Camino Rer 22. The risks associated with explosions, oil or gas leaks from transit vehicles at this site are not regarde as significant. 23. This project will increase mass transit opportunities to and from this site. However, no populatio impacts from modification of the parking facilities are expected. 24. This project will have no impacts upon housing. 25. This project may reduce automobile traffic since more mass transit opportunities to Plaza Camino Re2 will be created. 26. Implementation of this project will delete a total of 21 on site vehicle parking spaces. However, thi reduction has been more than compensated for by the 750 additional parking spaces created at Plaz Camino Real through the 1989 Plaza Camino Real parking lot restriping program. 27. This project will incrementally effect present circulation patterns at Plaza Camino Real because a1 existing shopping center automobile/bus entry/exit off of Marron Road will be restricted to bus us( only. However, there are other adequate available accessways for vehicular traffic. In addition, thi revision will decrease pedestrian/vehicular and vehicular/bus conflicts in that buses will no longer havc to travel through the parking lot to exit onto Marron Road. Pedestrian/vehicular conflicts will likel: also be reduced in that pedestrian traffic associated with bus ridership will be more fully controllec through the redesign of the bus waiting area. 28. This project will have no impacts upon water, rail or air traffic. -7- e XJSSION OF ENVIRONMENTAL EVALUATION (cont’d) e Traffic conflicts (hazards) will be reduced as discussed above. This project will not interfere with emergency response plans. The project will not obstruct any scenic vista, and will create an improved appearance over the existing situation. This project will have no effect upon recreational opportunities. -8- 4LYSIS OF VIABLE ALTERNATIVES 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. a) This project will be constructed in a single phase. Modification of the NCTD bus transfer/pick up area in more than one phase is not practical. b) The NCTD, in coordination with May Centers and the City of Carlsbad, has considered alternative designs. The proposed design creates no significant environmental impacts while accomplishing the NCTD's goal of providing three additional bus parking bays and a "buses only" access drive on site. c) An alternate scale of the project would not be an environmentally superior alternative since the project must be designed to comply with Citywide Engineering standards and there are no impacts associated with the proposed project. d) This project will modify the existing NCTD pick uphransfer area already existing on site. No alternate use for the site would be preferable. e) This project is being proposed at this time in response to an existing service demand. Development at some future time has no apparent environmental advantages since the site is currently developed with a similar use. f) Other sites within the Plaza Camino Real parking lot were reviewed. However, relative to the identified ridership demand and particular service needs, this site was determined to be most preferable. g) The no project alternative will not satisfy the existing demand for additional, updated transit service facilities at Plaza Camino Real. -9- BIOLOGICAL ENVIRONMENT 'ILL THE PROPOSAL DIRECTLY OR INDIRECTLY: 2. Affect the diversity of species, habitat or numbers of any species of plants (including trees, shrubs, grass, microflora and aquatic plants)? 3. Introduce new species of plants into an area, or a barrier 10 the normal replenishment of existing species? 4. Reduce the amount of acreage of any agricultural crop or affect prime, unique or other farmland of state or local importance? 5. Affect the diversity of species, habitat or numbers of any species of animals (birds, land animals, all water dwelling organisms and insects? 5. Introduce new species of animals into an area, or result in a barrier to the migration or movement of animals? HUMANENVIRONMENT 'ILL THE PROPOSAL DIRECTLY OR INDIRECTLY: 7. Alter the present or planned land use of an area? 3. Substantially affect public utilities, schools, police, fire, emergency or other public services? YES (si@ - -. - - - YES (sip) - - -3- YES NO (insig) - - X X X - X - X - YES NO (insig) X - - X - -