HomeMy WebLinkAbout2000-05-17; Planning Commission; Resolution 4777a 0 0
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PLANNING COMMISSION RESOLUTION NO. 4777
A RESOLUTION OF THE PLANNING COMMISSION OF THE
CITY OF CARLSBAD, CALIFORMA, RECOMMENDING
APPROVAL OF A NEGATIVE DECLARATION TO ALLOW
REVISIONS AND UPDATES TO THE HOUSING ELEMENT
OF THE GENERAL PLAN FOR THE 1999-2004 HOUSING
ELEMENT CYCLE.
CASE NAME: HOUSING ELEMENT UPDATE
CASE NO.: GPA 98-04
WHEREAS, a verified application regarding the periodic update of the Cit:
Housing Element of the General Plan has been filed with the City of Carlsbad; and
WHEREAS, a Negative Declaration was prepared in conjunction with s,
project; and
WHEREAS, the Planning Commission did on the 17th day of May, 2000, hol,
duly noticed public hearing as prescribed by law to consider said request; and
WHEREAS, at said public hearing, upon hearing and considering all testimc
and arguments, examining the initial study, analyzing the information submitted by staff, E
considering any written comments received, the Planning Commission considered all facti
relating to the Negative Declaration.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT HEREBY RESOLVED by the Plann:
Commission as follows:
A) That the foregoing recitations are true and correct.
B) That based on the evidence presented at the public hearing, the Plann
Commission hereby RECOMMENDS APPROVAL of the Negative Declarat
according to Exhibit "ND" dated April 14, 2000, and "PII" dated April 10, 20
attached hereto and made a part hereof, based on the following findings:
Findings:
1. The Planning Commission of the City of Carlsbad does hereby find:
a. it has reviewed, analyzed and considered the Negative Declaration for GPA 98
Housing Element Update and the environmental impacts therein identified for 1
project and any comments thereon prior to RECOMMENDING APPROV.
of the project; and
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b. the Negative Declaration has been prepared in accordance with requirements
the California Environmental Quality Act, the State Guidelines and
Environmental Protection Procedures of the City of Carlsbad; and
c. it reflects the independent judgment of the Planning Commission of the City
Carlsbad; and
d. based on the EIA Part I1 and comments thereon, there is no substantial evidel
the project will have a significant effect on the environment.
PASSED, APPROVED AND ADOPTED at a regular meeting of the Planni
Commission of the City of Carlsbad, California, held on the 17th day of May 2000, by
following vote, to wit:
AYES: Chairperson Compas, Commissioners Baker, Heineman,
L’Heureux, Nielsen, Segall, and Trigas
NOES:
ABSENT:
ABSTAIN:
d!& Ad
WILLIAM COMPAS, Chairperson
CARLSBAD PLANNING COMMISSION
ATTEST:
was
MICHAEL J. MLZI~~LLER
Planning Director
I 11 PC RES0 NO. 4777 -2-
0 e
- City of Carlsbad
NEGATIVE DECLARATION
Project AddresdLocation: Citywide throughout the City of Carlsbad
Project Description: An update to the City’s Housing Element of the General Plan for
the 1999-2004 Housing Element cycle as required by California
Government Code. The revised element includes: updated
demographic data and housing opportunities/constraints, deletion
of unusedinapplicable programs, enhanced programs on homeless
and persons with disabilities, and quantified housing objectives in
accordance with the San Diego County Housing Element Self-
Certification Program.
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, 1635 Faraday Avenue, Carlsbad, California 92008. Comments from the public are
invited. Please submit comments in writing to the Planning Department within 30 days of date
of issuance. If you have any questions, please call Michael Grim in the Planning Department at
(760) 602-4623.
DATED: APRIL 14,2000
CASE NO: GPA 98-04
CASE NAME: HOUSING ELEMENT UPDATE
PUBLISH DATE: APRIL 14,2000
MICHAEL J. mZI6ffLLER
Planning Director
1635 Faraday Avenue Carlsbad, CA 92008-7314 (760) 602-4600 FAX (760) 602-8559
e 0
ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT ASSESSMENT FORM - PART I1
(TO BE COMPLETED BY THE PLANNING DEPARTMENT)
CASE NO: GPA 98-04
DATE: April 10.2000
BACKGROUND
1. CASE NAME: Housinp Element Uudate
2. APPLICANT: City of Carlsbad
3. ADDRESS AND PHONE NUMBER OF APPLICANT: 1635 Faraday Ave., Carlsbad, CA 92008 (760) 602-4610
4. DATE EIA FORM PART I SUBMITTED: Not applicable
5. PROJECT DESCRIPTION: An update to the City’s Housing Element of the General Plan for the
1999-2004 Housing Element cycle as rewired by California Government Code. The revised
element includes: updated demographic data and housing opportunitieskonstraints, deletion of
unused/inapplicable programs, enhanced programs on homeless and persons with disabilities,
and quantified housing - obiectives in accordance with the San Diego County Housinp Element
Self-certification Program.
SUMMARY OF ENVIRONMENTAL FACTORS POTENTIALLY AFFECTED:
The summary of environmental factors checked below would be potentially affected by this project,
involving at least one impact that is a “Potentially Significant Impact,” or “Potentially Significant Impact
Unless Mitigation Incorporated” as indicated by the checklist on the following pages.
[7 Land Use and Planning w TransportatiodCirculation 0 Public Services
Population and Housing 0 Biological Resources 0 Utilities & Service Systems
Geological Problems Energy & Mineral Resources Aesthetics
Water w Air Quality
nHazards Cultural Resources
Noise Recreation
Mandatory Findings of Significance
1 Rev.’03/28/96
0 0
DETERMINATION.
(To be completed by the Lead Agency)
I find that 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 NEGATJSE
DECLARATION will be prepared. - u I find that the proposed project MAY have a significant effect on the environment, and an
ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT REPORT is required.
I find that the proposed project MAY have significant effect(s) on the environment, but at
least one potentially significant effect 1) has been adequately analyzed in an earlier
document pursuant to applicable legal standards, and 2) has been addressed by mitigation
measures based on the earlier analysis as described on attached sheets. An is required,
but it must analyze only the effects that remain to be addressed.
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 all potentially
significant effects (a) have been analyzed adequately in an earlier pursuant to applicable
standards and (b) have been avoided or mitigated pursuant to that earlier, including
revisions or mitigation measures that are imposed upon the proposed project. Therefore,
a Notice of Prior Compliance has been prepared.
1
/4"/0-0
Date
4 /m/ilo
Planning Direca's Sig(dture Date
2 Rev. 03/28/96
0 0 ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACTS
STATE CEQA GUIDELINES, Chapter 3, Article 5, Section 15063 requires that the City conduct
an Environmental Impact Assessment to determine if a project may have a significant effect on
the environment. The Environmental Impact Assessment appears in the following pages in the
form of a checklist. This checklist identifies any physical, biological and human factors that
might be impacted by the proposed project and provides the City with information to use as the
basis for deciding whether to prepare an Environmental Impact Report (EIR), Negative
Declaration, or to rely on a previously approved EIR or Negative Declaration.
e A brief explanation is required for all answers except “No Impact” answers that are
adequately supported by an information source cited in the parentheses following each
question. A “No Impact” answer is adequately supported if the referenced information
sources show that the impact simply does not apply to projects like the one involved. A
“No Impact” answer should be explained when there is no source document to refer to, or
it is based on project-specific factors as well as general standards.
a “Less Than Significant Impact” applies where there is supporting evidence that the
potential impact is not adversely significant, and the impact does not exceed adopted
general standards and policies.
a “Potentially Significant Unless Mitigation Incorporated” applies where the incorporation
of mitigation measures has reduced an effect from “Potentially Significant Impact” to a
“Less Than Significant Impact.” The developer must agree to the mitigation, and the City
must describe the mitigation measures, and briefly explain how they reduce the effect to a
less than significant level.
e “Potentially Significant Impact” is appropriate if there is substantial evidence that an
effect is significant.
e Based on an “EIA-Part II’,, if a proposed project could have a potentially significant effect
on the environment, but &l potentially significant effects (a) have been analyzed
adequately in an earlier EIR or Mitigated Negative Declaration pursuant to applicable
standards and (b) have been avoided or mitigated pursuant to that earlier EIR or Mitigated
Negative Declaration, including revisions or mitigation measures that are imposed upon
the proposed project, and none of the circumstances requiring a supplement to or
supplemental EIR are present and all the mitigation measures required by the prior
environmental document have been incorporated into this project, then no additional
environmental document is required (Prior Compliance).
a When “Potentially Significant Impact” is checked the project is not necessarily required
to prepare an EIR if the significant effect has been analyzed adequately in an earlier EIR
pursuant to applicable standards and the effect will be mitigated, or a “Statement of
Overriding Considerations” has been made pursuant to that earlier EIR.
e 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.
3 Rev. 03/28/96
0 0
0 If there are one or more potentially significant effects, the City may avoid preparing an
EIR if there are mitigation measures to clearly reduce impacts to less than significant, and
those mitigation measures are agreed to by the developer prior to public review. In this
case, the appropriate “Potentially Significant Impact Unless Mitigation Incorporated” may
be checked and a Mitigated Negative Declaration may be prepared.
0 An EIR must be prepared if “Potentially Significant Impact” is checked, and including
but not limited to the following circumstances: (1) the potentially significant effect has
not been discussed or mitigated in an Earlier EIR pursuant to applicable standards, and
the developer does not agree to mitigation measures that reduce the impact to less than
significant; (2) a “Statement of Overriding Considerations” for the significant impact has
not been made pursuant to an earlier EIR; (3) proposed mitigation measures do not reduce
the impact to less than significant, or; (4) through the EIA-Part 11 analysis it is not
possible to determine the level of significance for a potentially adverse effect, or
determine the effectiveness of a mitigation measure in reducing a potentially significant
effect to below a level of significance.
A discussion of potential impacts and the proposed mitigation measures appears at the end of the
form under DISCUSSION OF ENVIRONMENTAL EVALUATION. Particular attention should
be given to discussing mitigation for impacts which would otherwise be determined significant.
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0
Issues (and Supporting Information Sources). Potentially
Significant
Impact
1. LAND USE AND PLANNING. Would the proposal:.
a) Conflict with general plan designation or zoning?
b) Conflict with applicable environmental plans or policies
c) Be incompatible with existing land use in the vicinity?
d) Affect agricultural resources or operations (e.g. impacts
El
0 adopted by agencies with jurisdiction over the project? 0
to soils or farmlands, or impacts from incompatible 0
land uses?
e) Disrupt or divide the physical arrangement of an established community (including a low-income or 0
minority community)?
11. POPULATION AND HOUSING. Would the proposal:
a) Cumulatively exceed official regional or local
b) Induce substantial growth in an area either directly or
population projections? 0
indirectly (e.g. through projects in an undeveloped area 0
or extension of major infrastructure)?
housing? 0 c) Displace existing housing, especially affordable
111. GEOLOGIC PROBLEMS. Would the proposal result in or
expose people to potential impacts involving:
a) Fault rupture?
b) Seismic ground shaking?
c) Seismic ground failure, including liquefaction?
d) Seiche, tsunami, or volcanic hazard?
e) Landslides or mudflows?
f) Erosion, changes in topography or unstable soil
g) Subsidence of the land?
h) Expansive soils?
i) Unique geologic or physical features?
0 0 0 0 0
0 0 0
conditions from excavation, grading, or fill? 0
IV. WATER. Would the proposal result in:
a) Changes in absorption rates, drainage patterns, or the
b) Exposure of people or property to water related hazards
c) Discharge into surface waters or other alteration of
rate and amount of surface runoff?
such as flooding? 0
surface water quality (e.g. temperature, dissolved 0
oxygen or turbidity)?
body? 0
movements? 0
d) Changes in the amount of surface water in any water
e) Changes in currents, or the course or direction of water
5
0
Potentially
Significant
Unless
Mitigation Incorporated
5 0
0 0
0
0
0
0
0 0 0 0 0 0
0 0 0
17
0
0
0
0
LessThan No
Significant Impact Impact
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0 0 0 0 0
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Rev. 03/28/96
e Issues (and Supporting Information Sources). Potentially
Significant
Impact
f) Changes in the quantity of ground waters, either
through direct additions or withdrawals, or through
interception of an aquifer by cuts or excavations or
through substantial loss of groundwater recharge
capability?
g) Altered direction or rate of flow of groundwater?
h) Impacts to groundwater quality?
i) Substantial reduction in the amount of groundwater
0 0 0 otherwise available for public water supplies?
V. AIR QUALITY. Would the proposal:
a) Violate any air quality ,standard or contribute to an
b) Expose sensitive receptors to pollutants?
c) Alter air movement, moisture, or temperature, or cause
any change in climate?
d) Create objectionable odors?
existing or projected air quality violation? w
0
0
VI. TRANSPORTATION/CIRCULATION. Would the
proposal result in:
a) Increased vehicle trips or traffic congestion?
b) Hazards to safety from design features (e.g. sharp
curves or dangerous intersections) or incompatible uses
(e.g. farm equipment)?
El 0
0 0 0
0
c) Inadequate emergency access or access to nearby uses?
d) Insufficient parlung capacity on-site or off-site?
e) Hazards or barriers for pedestrians or bicyclists?
f) Conflicts with adopted policies supporting alternative
g) Rail, waterborne or air traffic impacts?
transportation (e.g. bus turnouts, bicycle racks)?
0 Potentially Significant
Unless
Mitigation Incorporated 0
0 0 0
0
0 0
0
0 0
0 0
0
0
VII. BIOLOGICAL RESOURCES. Would the proposal result in
impacts to:
a) Endangered, threatened or rare species or their habitats
(including but not limited to plants, fish, insects,
animals, and birds?
0 0’
0 0 0 El
17 0 0 0
b) Locally designated species (e.g. heritage trees)?
c) Locally designated natural communities (e.g. oak forest,
d) Wetland habitat (e.g. marsh, riparian and vernal pool)?
e) Wildlife dispersal or migration corridors?
coastal habitat, etc.)?
VIII. ENERGY AND MINERAL RESOURCES. Would the
proposal?
a) Conflict with adopted energy conservation plans?
b) Use non-renewable resources in a wasteful and 0 o 0 0 inefficient manner?
6
LessThan No
Significant Impact Impact
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OH
nu UH
om nm Elm OH
UEl
OH
ow ow ow ow
ow ow
Rev. 03/28/96
e Issues (and Supporting Information Sources). Potentially
Significant
Impact
c) Result in the loss of availability of a known mineral
resource that would be of future value to the region and
the residents of the State?
IX. HAZARDS. Would the proposal involve:
a) A risk of accidental explosion or release of hazardous
substances (including, but not limited to: oil, pesticides,
chemicals or radiation)?
b) Possible interference with an emergency response plan
or emergency evacuation plan?
c) The creation of any health hazard or potential health
hazards?
d) Exposure of people to existing sources of potential
health hazards?
e) Increase fire hazard in areas with flammable brush,
grass, or trees?
X. NOISE. Would the proposal result in:
a) Increases in existing noise levels?
b) Exposure of people to severe noise levels?
0
0
0
0 Potentially
Significant
Unless
Mitigation
Incorporated 17
0
0 0
XI. PUBLIC SERVICES. Would the proposal have an effect
upon, or result in a need for new or altered government
services in any of the following areas:
a) Fire protection?
b) Police protection?
c) Schools?
d) Maintenance of public facilities, including roads? n
o 0 0
e) Other governmental services? yo
0
17 0
XII.UTILITIES AND SERVICES SYSTEMS. Would the
proposal result in a need for new systems or supplies, or
substantial alterations to the following utilities:
a) Power or natural gas?
b) Communications systems?
c) Local or regional water treatment or distribution
d) Sewer or septic tanks?
e) Storm water drainage?
f) Solid waste disposal?
g) Local or regional water supplies?
o 0 0 0
0 0 0 o 0 0 17
0 o 0
facilities?
XIII. AESTHETICS. Would the proposal:
a) Affect a scenic or vista or scenic highway?
b) Have a demonstrated negative aesthetic effect?
7
LessThan No
significant Impact Impact
ow
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UIXI
OIXI
OIXI UIXI
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Ea IXI la w IXI
OBI UIXI Dm
OIXI UEI OH ow
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Rev. 03/28/96
0 Issues (and Supporting Information Sources).
c) Create light or glare?
0 Potentially Potentially
Significit Significait Impact Unless
Mitigation
I7 0 Incorporated
XIV. CULTURAL RESOURCES. Would the proposal:
a) Disturb paleontological resources?
b) Disturb archaeological resources?
c) Affect historical resources?
d) Have the potential to cause a physical change which
e) Restrict existing religious or sacred uses within the
0 O
0 0
would affect unique ethnic cultural values? 0 0
potential impact area? 0
XV. RECREATIONAL. Would the proposal:
a) Increase the demand for neighborhood or regional parks
b) Affect existing recreational opportunities?
or other recreational facilities? cl 0
0 0
XVI. MANDATORY FINDINGS OF SIGNIFICANCE.
a) Does the project have the potential to degrade the
habitat of a fish or wildlife 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
endangered plant or animal or eliminate important
examples of the major periods of California history or
prehistory?
b) Does the project have impacts that are individually
limited, but cumulatively considerable? (“Cumulatively
considerable” means that the incremental effects of a
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)?
c) Does the project have environmental effects which will
quality of the environment, substantially reduce the 17 0
cause the substantial adverse effects on human beings, 0 cl
either directly or indirectly?
8
Less Than No
Significant Impact Impact
nIxI
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ON
UIXI
ON
0K.l
UN
UIXI
Rev. 03/28/96
0 e DISCUSSION OF ENVIRONMENTAL EVALUATION
The proposal involves an update to the City’s Housing Element of the General Plan for the 1999-
2004 Housing Element cycle as required by California Government Code. The revised element
includes: updated demographic data and housing opportunities/constraints, deletion of
unusedinapplicable programs, enhanced programs on homeless and persons with disabilities,
and quantified housing objectives in accordance with the San Diego County Housing Element
Self-certification Program.
A large portion of the Housing Element consists of demographic and housing production
information and a discussion of housing constraints and opportunities. This portion of the
Housing Element does not generate any potential environmental impacts since it is purely
informational. Therefore, the following environmental evaluation only reviews the potential
impacts associated with the programs and quantified housing objectives.
The programs can be grouped in six goal areas: preservation of housing; quantity and diversity of
housing stock; housing for groups with special needs; housing-jobs-workforce balance; resource
conservation; and open and fair housing opportunities. The quantified housing objectives for the
1999-2004 Housing Cycle, divided by income group, are as follows:
I 1
QUANTIFIED HOUSING OBJECTIVES - 1999-2004 HOUSING CYCLE
Income Group Number of Housing Units
IC II
i
Extremely low (less than 30% of A.M.I.)
210 Very low (30 - 50% of A.M.I.)
170
LOW (51 - 80% of A.M.I.) 260
Moderate (81 - 120% of A.M.I.)
4,955 Above Moderate (over 120% of A.M.I.)
630
A.M.I. = San Diego area median income
6,225 Total Units
These housing programs and quantified objectives provide guidance as to how future housing
will be developed in Carlsbad. The programs and objectives do not in and of themselves produce
housing. The physical expression of these programs and objectives take the form of individual
developments that will be reviewed for environmental impacts when they become actual projects.
Since the overall housing production planned and anticipated for the 1999-2004 housing cycle
does not even approach City buildout, none of the programs or objectives will cause adverse
cumulative impacts. The potential impacts of these programs and objectives are discussed
below.
I. LAND USE AND PLANNING
The proposed Housing Element Update is consistent with the applicable portions of the City’s
General Plan and Local Coastal Program. The housing production objectives and needs
9 Rev. 03/28/96
0 e assessments can be accommodated without adjustment to any General Plan Land Use
designations and without exposing people to excessive noise. Since all future housing projects
will be subject to the City’s Growth Management Program, all required facilities would be in
place concurrent or prior to development. Implementation of the Housing Element programs will
not restrict coastal access, encroach into sensitive resources, create areas of geologic instability or
degrade agricultural or scenic areas. By implementing the Housing Element programs, additional
housing affordable to lower income households can be created. Therefore, the Housing Element
Update will not result in any adverse impacts to land use and planning.
II. POPULATION AND HOUSING
As stated above, the quantified objectives and accommodation of the Regional Share Housing
Needs Assessment can be accomplished within the City’s Growth Management dwelling unit
cap. By following the Growth Management Program, no future development will induce
substantial growth in an area since all facilities will be required prior to or concurrent with
development. Many of the programs in the Housing Element Update concentrate on preserving
existing affordable housing and converting existing buildings into affordable housing. Therefore
the proposed Housing Element Update will not cause any adverse impacts to population or
housing.
III. GEOLOGIC PROBLEMS
As previously stated, the housing programs and quantified objectives do not physically produce
any housing, rather they guide the types and affordability of future housing developments. The
proposed Housing Element update will, therefore, not expose people to potential impacts
involving fault rupture, seismic ground shaking, liquefaction, landslides or land subsidence. No
significant adverse geologic impacts will occur due to the Housing Element Update.
IV. WATER
The Housing Element Update does not physically produce housing therefore no direct physical
impacts to absorption ‘rates, surface runoff, or surface or groundwaters will result. All housing
developments must comply with the City’s Growth Management Program therefore no impacts
to water supplies or service systems will occur.
V. AIR QUALITY
In 1994 the City prepared and certified an EIR that analyzed the impacts that will result from the
build-out of the City under an updated General Plan. That document concludes that continued
development to build-out as proposed in the updated General Plan will have cumulative
significant impacts in the form of increased gas and electric power consumption and vehicle
miles traveled. These subsequently result in increases in the emission of carbon monoxide,
reactive organic gases, oxides of nitrogen and sulfur, and suspended particulates. These aerosols
are the major contributors to air pollution in the City as well as in the San Diego Air Basin.
Since the San Diego Air Basin is a “non-attainment basin”, any additional air emissions are
considered cumulatively significant: therefore, continued development to build-out as proposed
in the updated General Plan will have cumulative significant impacts on the air quality of the
region.
10 Rev. 03/28/96
a 0 To lessen or minimize the impact on air quality associated with General Plan build-out, a variety
of mitigation measures are recommended in the Final Master EIR. These include: 1) provisions
for roadway and intersection improvements prior to or concurrent with development; 2) measures
to reduce vehicle trips through the implementation df Congestion and Transportation Demand
transit services; 4) conditions to promote energy efficient building and site design; and 5)
participation in regional growth management strategies when adopted. The applicable and
appropriate General Plan air quality mitigation measures have either been incorporated into the
design of the project or are included as conditions of project approval.
Operation-related emissions are considered cumulatively significant because the project is
located within a “non-attainment basin”, therefore, the “Initial Study” checklist is marked
“Potentially Significant Impact”. This project is consistent with the General Plan, therefore, the
preparation of an EIR is not required because the certification of Final Master EIR 93-01, by City
Council Resolution No. 94-246, included a “Statement Of Overriding Considerations” for air
quality impacts. This “Statement Of Overriding Considerations” applies to all projects covered
by the General Plan’s Final Master EIR. This project is within the scope of that MER. This
document is available at the Planning Department.
Management; 3) provisions to encourage alternative modes of transportation including mass
VI. TRANSPORTATION/CIRCULATION
In 1994 the City prepared and certified a Master EIR that analyzed the impacts that would result
from the build-out of the City under an updated General Plan. That document concluded that
continued development to build-out as proposed in the updated General Plan will result in
increased traffic volumes. Roadway segments will be adequate to accommodate build-out
traffic; however, 12 full and 2 partial intersections will be severely impacted by regional through-
traffic over which the City has no jurisdictional control. These generally include all freeway
interchange areas and major intersections along Carlsbad Boulevard. Even with the
implementation of roadway improvements, a number of intersections are projected to fail the
City’s adopted Growth Management performance standards at build-out.
To lessen or minimize the impact on circulation associated with General Plan build-out,
numerous mitigation measures have been recommended in the Final Master EIR. These include:
1) measures to ensure the provision of circulation facilities concurrent with need; 2) provisions to
develop alternative modes of transportation such as trails, bicycle routes, additional sidewalks,
pedestrian linkages, and commuter rail systems; and 3) participation in regional circulation
strategies when adopted. The diversion of regional through-traffic from a failing Interstate or
State Highway onto City streets creates impacts that are not within the jurisdiction of the City to
control. The applicable and appropriate General Plan circulation mitigation measures have either
been incorporated into the design of the project or are included as conditions of project approval.
Regional related circulation impacts are considered cumulatively significant because of the
failure of intersections at build-out of the General Plan due to regional through-traffic, therefore,
the “Initial Study” checklist is marked “Potentially Significant Impact”. This project is
consistent with the General Plan, therefore, the preparation of an EIR is not required because the
recent certification of Final Master EIR 93-01, by City Council Resolution No. 94-246, included
a “Statement Of Overriding Considerations” for circulation impacts. This “Statement Of
Overriding Considerations” applies to all projects covered by the General Plan’s Master ER.
11 Rev. 03/28/96
a 0 This project is within the scope of that MEIR. This document 7s available at the Planning
Department.
In addition, the City has received its annual Growth Management Traffic Monitoring Report.
The Report has recorded an unanticipated intersection “level of service” (LOS) failure at Palomar
Airport Road (PAR) and El Camino Real (ECR) during both the a.m. and p.m. peak hours. A
mitigation measure has been identified which, if implemented, will bring the peak hours LOS
into the acceptable range. The mitigation measure involves construction of two dual right turn
lanes (northbound to eastbound and westbound to northbound). This project has agreed to a
condition to pay its fair share of the intersection “short-term improvements” thereby guaranteeing
mitigation to a level of insignificance.
VU. BIOLOGICAL RESOURCES
The 1999 Housing Element Update does not physically produce housing and, therefore, does not
remove biological habitats. The element does discuss its relationship with the City’s Habitat
Management Plan and verifies that all future residential projects must comply with the City’s
habitat preservation policies and the requirements of the California Environmental Quality Act.
Therefore, the Housing Element Update will not result in impacts to endangered, threatened or
rare species or their habitats, including wetland habitats and wildlife dispersal corridors.
Vm. ENERGY AND MINERAL RESOURCES
Since the Housing Element Update does not produce housing there will be no related use of non-
renewable resources in a wasteful manner nor will it deplete the availability of a known mineral
resource of future value. Therefore, no impacts to energy or mineral resources will result due to
the Housing Element Update.
E. HAZARDS
Since no construction activities occur as a direct result of the Housing Element Update, no risk of
accidental explosions, release of hazardous substances, or interference with emergency response
or evacuation plans will occur. The Housing Element Update will not create any health or fire
hazards because it does not produce physical development.
x. - NOISE
No construction will occur as a direct result of the Housing Element Update, therefore no
increase in existing noise levels will occur. The future housing developments guided by the
Housing Element Update must conform to the City’s Noise Element, thereby not allowing the
exposure of people to severe noise levels. The Housing Element Update will therefore not create
any adverse noise impacts.
XI. PUBLIC SERVICES
As discussed previously, the Housing Element Update guides future residential development in
the City. It also contains quantified housing objectives for the 1999-2004 Housing Element
cycle. The amount of development proposed in the quantified objectives is well within the
growth projections of the Growth Management Program and all future projects must comply with
12 Rev. 03/28/96
0 0 Growth Management performance standards. Therefore, the Housing Element Update will not
have an adverse effect upon, or result in the need for, new or altered government services.
XII. UTILITIES AND SERVICE SYSTEMS
The proposed Housing Element Update does not physically produce housing, therefore no direct
impacts to utilities and service systems will result. All housing developed in accordance with the
Housing Element policies and programs must also be consistent with the City’s Growth
Management Program. Therefore any facility or service system needs generated by a residential
development must be addressed with that development. The Housing Element Update will not
result in the need for new systems or supplies, or substantial alteration to power and natural gas
systems, communication systems, wastewater treatment facilities, or solid waste disposal
systems.
XIII. . AESTHETICS
The housing programs and quantified objectives of the Housing Element Update do not
physically produce housing, therefore the proposal will not affect a scenic vista, scenic highway,
create light or glare, or have a demonstrated negative aesthetic effect. No adverse impacts to
aesthetics should result due to the Housing Element Update.
XN. CULTURAL RESOURCES
Since the Housing Element Update does not physically produce housing, no disturbance to
historical, paleontological or archeological resources, areas of unique cultural values, or areas of
religious or sacred uses will occur.
XV. RECREATIONAL
The Housing Element Update does not, in and of itself, produce housing, therefore no impact to
existing recreational opportunities will occur. All future residential development must conform
to the performance standards of the Growth Management Program, including the performance
standards for public parks. Therefore, no adverse impacts to recreation will occur.
EARLIER ANALYSES USED
The following documents were used in the analysis of this project and are on file in the City of
Carlsbad Planning Department located at 1635 Faraday Avenue, Carlsbad, California, 92008,
(760) 602-4600.
1. Final Master Environmental Impact Report for the City of Carlsbad General Plan Update
(MEIR 93-01), dated March 1994, City of Carlsbad Planning Department.
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e e
ADDENDUM TO THE NEGATIVE DECLARATION FOR THE
HOUSING ELEMENT UPDATE - GPA 98-04
Subsequent to the preparation of the environmental review for this project, the City
Council repealed the moratorium due to intersection failure at Palomar Airport Road and
El Camino Real. As a result, the required mitigation related to this intersection is no
longer applicable. The attached Environmental Impact Assessment Form - Part I1 refers
to this intersection failure and the incorporation of the required mitigation into the
project. Since this is no longer applicable, this addendum to the Negative Declaration has
been prepared and attached to indicate the item’s inapplicability.