HomeMy WebLinkAbout2003-01-22; Planning Commission; Resolution 53601
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PLANNING COMMISSION RESOLUTION NO. 5360
A RESOLUTION OF THE PLANNING COMMISSION OF THE
CITY OF CARLSBAD, CALIFORNIA, RECOMMENDING
ADOPTION OF A NEGATIVE DECLARATION FOR A
LOCAL COASTAL PROGRAM AMENDMENT AND
ADDENDUM #2 TO THE HABITAT MANAGEMENT PLAN
TO ADD HABITAT CONSERVATION AND PROTECTION
STANDARDS TO THE REMAINING UNDEVELOPED
PROPERTIES IN THE CITY’S COASTAL ZONE.
CASE NAME: HABITAT MANAGEMENT PLAN
CASE NO.: LCPA 02-10DI 02-01
WHEREAS, the City of Carlsbad has filed a verified application for an
amendment to the Local Coastal Program and an Addendum to the Habitat Management
Plan affecting properties located within the boundaries of the City’s Coastal Zone; and
WHEREAS, a Negative Declaration was prepared in conjunction with said
project; and
WHEREAS, the Planning Commission did on the 22nd day of January, 2003
hold a duly noticed public hearing as prescribed by law to consider said request; and
WHEREAS, at said public hearing, upon hearing and considering all testimony
and arguments, examining the initial study, analyzing the information submitted by staff, and
considering any written comments received, the Planning Commission considered all factors
relating to the Negative Declaration.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT HEREBY RESOLVED by the Planning
Commission as follows:
A) That the foregoing recitations are true and correct.
B) That based on the evidence presented at the public hearing, the Planning
Commission hereby RECOMMENDS ADOPTION of the Negative Declaration
according to Exhibit “ND” dated December 20,2002, and “PII” dated December
16,2002 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:
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a.
b.
C.
d.
it has reviewed, analyzed and considered the Negative Declaration HABITAT
MANAGEMENT PLAN - LCPA 02-10/DI 02-01, the environmental impacts
therein identified for this project and any comments thereon prior to
RECOMMENDING APPROVAL of the project; and
the Negative Declaration has been prepared in accordance with requirements of
the California Environmental Quality Act, the State Guidelines and the
Environmental Protection Procedures of the City of Carlsbad; and
it reflects the independent judgment of the Planning Commission of the City of
Carlsbad; and
based on the EIA Part I1 and comments thereon, there is no substantial evidence
the project will have a significant effect on the environment.
PASSED, APPROVED AND ADOPTED at a regular meeting of the Planning
Commission of the City of Carlsbad, California, held on the 22nd day of January, 2003, by the
following vote, to wit:
AYES: Chairperson Baker, Commissioners Whitton, Dominguez,
Heineman and Segall
NOES: Commissioner White
ABSENT:
ABSTAIN:
c- PLANNING COMMISSION
ATTEST:
Planning Director
PC RES0 NO. 5360 -2-
__. City of Carlsbad
NEGATIVE DECLARATION
Project AddressLocation: CITY OF CARLSBAD - COASTAL ZONE
Project Description: Local Coastal Program Amendment to incorporate the Habitat
Management Plan and Second Addendum to the Habitat
Management Plan. The project consists of amending the City of
Carlsbad’s certified Local Coastal Program to include references to
the Habitat Management Plan and revisions to the Habitat
Management Plan needed for consistency between the two
documents.
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 fiom 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 Don Rideout in the Planning Department at
(760) 602-4602.
DATED:
CASE NO:
CASE NAME:
PUBLISH DATE:
December 20,2002
LCPA 02- 10
Local Coastal Program Amendment for
Carlsbad Habitat Management Plan
December 20,2002
Planning Director
1635 Faraday Avenue - Carlsbad, CA 92008-7314 (760) 602-4600 FAX (760) 602-8559 www.ci.carlsbad.ca.us
~~ ~~~~
ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT ASSESSMENT FORM - PART I1
(TO BE COMPLETED BY THE PLANNING DEPARTMENT)
CASE NO: LCPA 02-10
DATE: December 16.2002
BACKGROUND
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.
9.
CASE NAME: Local Coastal Promam Amendment for Carlsbad Habitat Management
PladSecond Addendum to Habitat Management Plan
LEAD AGENCY NAME AND ADDRESS: Citv of Carlsbad
CONTACT PERSON AND PHONE NUMBER. Don Rideout. Principal Planner
PROJECT LOCATION: Coastal Zone
PROJECT SPONSOR’S NAME AND ADDRESS: City of Carlsbad. 1200 Carlsbad Village
Drive. Carlsbad, CA 92008
GENERAL PLAN DESIGNATION: Various
ZONING: Various
OTHER PUBLIC AGENCIES WHOSE APPROVAL IS REQUIRED (i.e., permits, financing
approval or participation agreements): California Coastal Commidsion
PROJECT DESCRIPTION/ ENVIRONMENTAL SETTING AND SURROUNDING LAND
USES:
The Citv of Carlsbad is proposing an amendment to its certified Local Coastal Promam (LCP) to
incorporate the Habitat ManaPement Plan (HMP) and to make other revisions to the LCP
necessary for consistency with the conservation provisions of the updated Habitat Manavement
Plan. The HMP is a Citvwide urogram for conserving wildlife species and their habitats,
particularly species listed as endangered or threatened. The HMP was adouted by the Citv
Council in September 1999. The existing LCP for Carlsbad consists of six segments, of which
three will be amended by the proposed action. The sements that will not be amended are the
Village Redevelopment Area, West Batiquitos and East Batiauitos. The three segments to be
amended currently contain policies and requirements for wildlife conservation that pre-date the
HMP. In order to ensure consistency between the HMP and the LCP. both documents are being
amended to refer to each other. The HMP revisions are titled “Second Addendum to the Carlsbad
Habitat Management Plan Based on Comments from the California Coastal Commission and
Including Miscellaneous Revisions” dated December 16,2002.
The proposed action is the establishment of land use remlations and not a develoDment Droiect.
It involves amending the Local Coastal Program to incorporate an existinp policy and rewlatorv
document. the Habitat Management Plan, Therefore, the following environmental analysis deals
only with the potential for the proposed regulations to result in an adverse imuact on the
environment.
1 Rev. 07103102
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 Aesthetics
Agricultural Resources
0 Air Quality
0 Biological Resources
0 Cultural Resources
u Geology/Soils
HazardsMazardous Materials
HydrologyiWater Quality
Land Use and Planning
Mineral Resources
[7 Noise
0 Population and Housing
[7 Public Services
0 Recreation
u TransportatiodCirculation u Mandatory Findings of
Significance
2 Rev. 07/03/02
DETERMINATION.
(To be completed by the Lead Agency)
IXI
0
0
0
I find that the proposed project COULD NOT have a significant effect on the environment, and a
NEGATIVE DECLARATION will be prepared.
1 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 MITIGATED NEGATIVE DECLARATION will be prepared.
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 "potentially significant impact(s)" on the environment, but at
least one potentially significant impact 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. A Negative Declaration 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 ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT REPORT or NEGATIVE DECLARATION
pursuant to applicable standards and (b) have been avoided or mitigated pursuant to that earlier
ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT REPORT or NEGATIVE DECLARATION, including revisions or
mitigation measures that are imposed upon the proposed project. Therefore, nothing further is required.
1;?/16/07
Date '
3 Rev. 07/03/02
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. Thls 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.
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.
“Less Than Significant Impact” applies where there is supporting evidence that the potential impact is not
significantly adverse, and the impact does not exceed adopted general standards and policies.
“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.
“Potentially Significant Impact” is appropriate if there is substantial evidence that an effect is significantly
adverse.
Based on an “EM-Part 11”, if a proposed project could have a potentially significant adverse effect on the
environment, but &l potentially significant adverse 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.
When “Potentially Significant Impact” is checked the project is not necessarily required to prepare an EIR
if the significant adverse effect has been analyzed adequately in an earlier EIR pursuant to applicable
standards and the effect will be mitigated, or a “Statement of Ovemding Considerations” has been made
pursuant to that earlier EIR.
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 adverse effect on the environment.
If there are one or more potentially significant adverse effects, the City may avoid preparing an EIR if there
are mitigation measures to clearly reduce adverse 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.
4 Rev. 07/03/02
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 adverse 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 adverse impact to less than significant; (2) a “Statement of Overriding
Considerations” for the sigruficant adverse impact has not been made pursuant to an earlier EIR; (3)
proposed mitigation measures do not reduce the adverse impact to less than significant; or (4) through the
EIA-Part II 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.
5 Rev. 07/03/02
Issues (and Supporting Information Sources).
Potentially Significant
Impact
I. AESTHETICS - Would the project:
a) Have a substantial adverse effect on a scenic vista?
b) Substantially damage scenic resources, including but
not limited to, trees, rock outcroppings, and historic
buildings within a State scenic highway?
0
0
0
c) Substantially degrade the existing visual character or
quality of the site and its surroundings?
d) Create a new source of substantial light and glare,
which would adversely affect day or nighttime views
in the area?
II. AGRICULTRAL RESOURCES - (In determining
whether impacts to agricultural resources are significant
environmental effects, lead agencies may refer to the
California Agricultural Land Evaluation and Site
Assessment Model- 1997 prepared by the California
Department of Conservation as an optional model to use
in assessing impacts on agriculture and farmland.) Would
the project:
a) Convert Prime Farmland, Unique Farmland, or
Farmland of Statewide Importance (Farmland), as
shown on the maps prepared pursuant to the
Farmland Mapping and Monitoring Program of the
California Resources Agency, to non-agricultural
use?
b) Conflict with existing zoning for agricultural use, or
a Williamson Act contract?
c) Involve other changes in the existing environment,
which, due to their location or nature, could result in
conversion of Farmland to non-agricultural use?
0
111. AIR QUALITY - (Where available, the significance
criteria established by the applicable air quality
management or air pollution control district may be relied
upon to make the following determinations.) Would the
project:
a) Conflict with or obstruct implementation of the 0
applicable air quality plan?
b) Violate any air quality standard or contribute 0
substantially to an existing or projected air quality
violation?
Potentially Significant
Mitigation Significant No
Incorporated Impact Impact
Unless Less Than
0 oIx1
0
0
0
0
UIXI
6 Rev. 07/03/02
Issues (and Supporting Information Sources).
c) Result in a cumulatively considerable net increase of
any criteria pollutant for which the project region is
in non-attainment under an applicable federal or state
ambient air quality standard (including releasing
emissions which exceed quantitative thresholds for
ozone precursors)?
d) Expose sensitive receptors to Substantial pollutant
.concentrations?
e) Create objectionable odors affecting a Substantial
number of people?
IV. BIOLOGICAL RESOURCES - Would the project:
Potentially Significant Potentially Unless Less Than Significant Mitigation Significant No Impact Incorporated Impact Impact
Have a Substantial adverse effect, either directly or
through habitat modifications, on any species
identified as a candidate, sensitive, or special status
species in local or regional plans, policies, or
regulations, or by California Department of Fish and
Game or U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service?
0
Have a Substantial adverse effect on any riparian,
aquatic or wetland habitat or other sensitive natural
community identified in local or regional plans,
policies, or regulations or -by California Department
of Fish and Game or US. Fish and Wildlife Service?
0
Have a Substantial adverse effect on federally
protected wetlands as defined by Section 404 of the
Clean Water Act (including but not limited to marsh,
vernal pool, coastal, etc.) through direct removal,
filing, hydrological interruption, or other means?
Interfere substantially with the movement of any
native resident or migratory fish or wildlife species
or with established native resident or migratory
wildlife corridors, or impede the use of native
wildlife nursery sites?
Conflict with any local policies or ordinances
protecting biological resources, such as a tree
preservation policy or ordinance?
Conflict with the provisions of an adopted Habitat
Conservation Plan, Natural Community Conservation
Plan, or other approved local, regional, or state
habitat conservation plan?
Impact tributary areas that are environmentally
sensitive?
0
0
0
0
0
UIXI
OIXI
0 UIXI
0
0
0
OIXI
OIXI
0
7 Rev. 07/03/02
Issues (and Supporting Information Sources).
Potentially Significant Impact
V. CULTURAL RESOURCES - Would the project:
a) Cause a substantial adverse change m the
significance of a historical resource as defined in
§15064.5?
0
b) Cause a substantial adverse change in the signifi-
cance of an archeological resource pursuant to
§15064.5?
0
c) Directly or indirectly destroy a unique paleontologi- 0
0
cal resource or site or unique geologic feature?
d) Disturb any human remains, including those interred
outside of formal cemeteries?
VI. GEOLOGY AND SOILS - Would the project:
a) Expose people or structures to potential substantial
adverse effects, including the risk of loss, injury or
death involving:
i. Rupture of a known earthquake fault, as
delineated on the most recent Alquist-Priolo
Earthquake Fault Zoning Map issued by the
State Geologist for the area or based on other
substantial evidence of a known fault? Refer to
Division of Mines and Geology Special
Publication 42.
0
ii. Strong seismic ground shaking?
iii. Seismic-related ground failure, including
El
liquefaction? 0
iv. Landslides?
b) Result in substantial soil erosion or the loss of
topsoil? 0
c) Be located on a geologic unit or soil that is unstable,
or that would become unstable as a result of the
project, and potentially result in on- or off-site
landslide, lateral spreading, subsidence, liquefaction,
or collapse?
0
d) Be located on expansive soils, as defined in Table 18 - 1-B of the Uniform Building Code (1 997), creating
substantial risks to life or property?
Potentially Significant
Unless Mitigation Incorporated
123
0
0
0
Less Than Significant No Impact Impact
OH
OH
0 DEI
0
0
0
0
0 DIXI
Rev. 07/03/02
Issues (and Supporting Information Sources).
e) Have soils incapable of adequately supporting the
use of septic tanks or alternative wastewater disposal
systems where sewers are not available for the
disposal of wastewater?
W. HAZARDS AND HAZARDOUS MATERIALS -
Would the project: .
Create a significant hazard to the public or the
environment through the routine transport, use, or
disposal of hazardous materials?
Create a significant hazard to the public or
environment through reasonably foreseeable upset
and accident conditions involving the release of
hazardous materials into the environment?
Emit hazardous emissions or handle hazardous or
acutely hazardous materials, substances, or waste
within one-quarter mile of an existing or proposed
school?
Be located on a site which is included on a list of
hazardous materials sites compiled pursuant to
Government Code Section 65962.5 and, as a result,
would it create a significant hazard to the public or
environment?
For a project within an airport land use plan, or
where such a plan has not been adopted, within two
miles of a public airport or public use airport, would
the project result in a safety hazard for people
residing or working in the project area?
For a project within the vicinity of a private airstrip,
would the project result in a safety hazard for people
residing or working in the project area?
Impair implementation of or physically interfere with
an adopted emergency response plan or emergency
evacuation plan?
Expose people or structures to a significant risk of
loss, injury or death involving wildland fires,
including where wildlands are adjacent to urbanized
areas or where residences are intermixed with
wildlands?
VIII. HYDROLOGY AND WATER QUALITY - Would the
project:
a) Violate any water quality standards or waste
discharge requirements?
Potentially
Significant Potentially Unless Less Than Significant Mitigation Significant
Impact Incorporated impact
0
0
.El
0
0
0 ntx1
0 0 'W
0 OM
El
0 El 0
0
No Impact
0
0
0
IXI
W
W
0
OW
9 Rev. 07/03/02
Issues (and Supporting Information Sources). Potentially Significant Potentially Unless Less Than Significant Mitigation Significant No Impact Incorporated Impact Impact
Substantially deplete groundwater supplies or
interfere substantially with ground water recharge U UISI
such that there would be a net deficit in aquifer
volume or a lowering of the local ground water table
level (i.e., the production rate of pre-existing nearby
wells would drop to a level which would not support
existing land uses or planned uses for which permits
have been granted)?
Impacts to groundwater quality?
Substantially alter the existing drainage pattern of the
site or area, including through the alteration of the 0
course of a stream or river, in a manner, which would
result in substantial erosion or siltation on- or off-
site?
0
Substantially alter the existing drainage pattern of the
site or area, including through the alteration of the 0
course of a stream or river, or substantially increase
the flow rate or amount (volume) of surface runoff in
a manner, which would result in flooding on- or off-
site?
Create or contribute runoff water, which would
exceed the capacity of existing or planned D
stormwater drainage systems or provide substantial
additional sources of polluted runoff?
Otherwise substantially degrade water quality?
Place housing within a 100-year flood hazard area as
mapped on a Federal Flood Hazard Boundary or D
Flood Insurance Rate Map or other flood delineation
0
I"p?
Place within 100-year flood hazard area structures,
which would impede or redirect flood flows?
Expose people or structures to a significant risk of
loss injury or death involving flooding, including 0
flooding as a result of the failure of a levee or dam?
Inundation by seiche, tsunami, or mudflow?
Increased erosion (sediment) into receiving surface
waters. 0
0
Increased pollutant discharges (e.g., heavy metals,
pathogens, petroleum derivatives, synthetic organics, D
nutrients, oxygen-demanding substances and trash)
into receiving surface waters or other alteration of
receiving surface water quality (e.g., temperature,
dissolved oxygen or turbidity)?
nrxl
0 o(x1
DIXI
DM
10 Rev. 07/03/02
Issues (and Supporting Information Sources). Potentially
Significant Potentially Unless Less Than Significant Mitigation Significant No
Impact Incorporated Impact Impact
0 0 Changes to receiving water quality (marine, fresh or
wetland waters) during or following construction?
Increase in any pollutant to an already impaired
water body as listed on the Clean Water Act Section
303(d) list?
0 The exceedance of applicable surface or groundwater
receiving water quality objectives or degradation of
beneficial uses?
IX. LANDUSE AND PLANNING - Would the project:
a) Physically divide an established community? 0 DIXI
0 om b) Conflict with any applicable land use plan, policy, or
regulation of an agency with jurisdiction over the
project (including but not limited to the general plan,
specific plan, local coastal program, or zoning
ordinance) adopted for the purpose of avoiding or
mitigating an environmental effect?
0 OIXI c) Conflict with any applicable habitat conservation
plan or natural community conservation plan?
X. MINERAL RESOURCES - Would the project:
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?
0 Result in the loss of availability of a locally
important mineral resource recovery site delineated
on a local general plan, specific plan, or other land
use plan?
XI. NOISE - Would the project result in:
Exposure of persons to or generation of noise levels
in excess of standards established in the local general
plan or noise ordinance or applicable standards of
other agencies?
0 OIXI Exposure of persons to or generation of excessive
groundbourne vibration or groundbourne noise
levels?
0 A substantial permanent increase in ambient noise
levels in the project vicinity above levels existing
without the project?
0 A substantial temporary or periodic increase in
ambient noise levels in the project vicinity above
levels existing without the project?
11 Rev. 07/03/02
Issues (and Supporting Information Sources). Potentially Significant
Potentially Unless Less Than
Significant Mitigation Significant NO
Impact Incorporated Impact Impact
e) For a project located within an airport land use plan
or, where such a plan has not been adopted, within 2
miles of a public airport or public use airport, would
the project expose people residing or working in the
project area to excessive noise levels?
0 0 om
f) For a project within the vicinity of a private airstrip, 0
would the project expose people residing or working
in the project area to excessive noise levels?
XII. POPULATION AND HOUSING - Would the project:
a) Induce Substantial growth in an area either directly
(for example, by proposing new homes and
businesses) or indirectly (for example, through
extension of roads or other infrastructure)?
0
b) Displace Substantial numbers of existing housing, 0
necessitating the construction of replacement housing
elsewhere?
c) Displace Substantial numbers of people, necessitating
the construction of replacement housing elsewhere?
XUI. PUBLIC SERVICES
a) Would the project result in Substantial adverse
physical impacts associated with the provision of
. new or physically altered government facilities, a
need for new or physically altered government
facilities, the construction of which could cause
significant environmental impacts, in order to
maintain acceptable service ratios, response times, or
other performance objectives for any of the public
services:
i) Fire protection?
ii) Police protection?
iii) Schools?
iv) Parks?
v) Other public facilities?
XIV. RECREATION
0
0
0
0
a) Would the project increase the use of existing
neighborhood and regional parks or other
recreational facilities such that Substantial physical
deterioration of the facility would occur or be
accelerated?
0
0 OB
0 ON
0 OIXI
12 Rev. 07/03/02
Issues (and Supporting Information Sources).
b) Does the project include recreational facilities or
require the construction or expansion of recreational
facilities, ,which might have an adverse physical
effect on the environment?
XV. TRANSPORTATIONiTRAFFIC - Would the project:
a) Cause an increase in traffic, which is substantial in
relation to the existing traffk load and capacity of the
street system (i.e., result in a substantial increase in
either the number of vehicle trips, the volume to
capacity ratio on roads, or congestion at
intersections)?
b) Exceed, either individually or cumulatively, a level
of service standard established by the county
congestion management agency for designated roads
or highways?
c) Result in a change in air traffic patterns, including
either an increase in traffic levels or a change in
location that results in substantial safety risks?
d) Substantially increase hazards due to a design feature
(e.g., sharp curves or dangerous intersections) or
incompatible uses (e.g., farm equipment)?
e) Result in inadequate emergency access?
f) Result in insufficient parking capacity?
g) Conflict with adopted policies, plans, or programs
supporting alternative transportation (e.g., bus turn-
outs, bicycle racks)?
XVI. UTILITIES AND SERVICES SYSTEMS - Would the
project:
a) Exceed wastewater treatment requirements of the
applicable Regional Water Quality Control Board?
b) Require or result in the construction of new water or
wastewater treatment facilities or expansion of
existing facilities, the construction of which would
cause significant environmental effects?
c) Require or result in the construction of new storm
water drainage facilities or expansion of existing
facilities, the construction of which could cause
significant environmental effects?
d) Have sufficient water supplies available to serve the
project from existing entitlements and resources, or
are new or expanded entitlements needed?
Potentially Significant Potentially Unless Less Than Significant Mitigation Significant No impact Incorporated Impact Impact
0 0 om
0 0 OIXI
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
OIXI
OIXI
OIXI
0 om
0 OIXI
0 OIXI
0 om
0 OIXI
13 Rev. 07l03l02
Issues (and Supporting Information Sources).
Potentially Significant
Impact
e) Result in a determination by the wastewater
treatment provider, which serves or may serve the
project that it has adequate capacity to serve the
project’s projected demand in addition to the
provider’s existing commitments?
0
f) Be served by a landfill with sufficient permitted
capacity to accommodate the project’s solid waste
disposal needs?
0
0 g) Comply with federal, state, and local statutes and
regulations related to solid waste?
XVII. MANDATORY FINDINGS OF SIGNIFICANCE
Potentially Significant
Mitigation Significant No
Incorporated Impact Impact
Unless Less Than
0
0 om
0 OIXI
Does the project have the potential to degrade the 0
quality of the environment, substantially reduce the 0 OIXI
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?
Does the project have impacts that are individually
limited, but cumulatively considerable? (“Cumula-
tively 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?)
0 0 OIXI
Does the project have environmental effects, which
will cause the substantial adverse effects on human
beings, either directly or indirectly?
0 0 0
XVIII. EARLIER ANALYSES
Earlier analyses may be used where, pursuant to the tiering, program EIR, or other CEQA process, one or
more effects have been adequately analyzed in an earlier EIR or negative declaration. Section
15063(c)(3)(D). In this case a discussion should identify the following:
a) Earlier analyses used. Identify earlier analyses and state where they are available for review.
b) Impacts adequately addressed. Identify which effects from the above checklist were within the
scope of and adequately analyzed in an earlier document pursuant to applicable legal standards,
and state whether such effects were addressed by mitigation measures based on the earlier
analysis.
c) Mitigation measures. For effects that are “Less Than Significant with Mitigation Incorporated,” describe the mitigation measures, which were incorporated or refined from the earlier document
and the extent to which they address site-specific conditions for the project.
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A Mitigated Negative Declaration was previously prepared and certified for the Habitat Management Plan. This
document is on file with the City of Carlsbad Planning Department nnder file number EM 99-04, That document
analyzed all of the potential environmental effects of implementation of the Habitat Management Plan and
concluded that there will be potentially significant impacts to biology and land use unless mitigation measures are
adopted. Mitigation measures were adopted as part of the certification of EIA 99-04 that adequately reduce the
impacts to below the level of significance.
DISCUSSION OF ENVIRONMENTAL EVALUATION
The following is an analysis and discussion of the potential environmental effects of the proposed Local Coastal
Program Amendment and the Second Addendum to the HMP.
I.
II.
111.
AESTHETICS.
Amending the Carlsbad Local Coastal Program to include the already adopted Habitat Management Plan
will not have any effect on aesthetics. All development projects will be required to undergo environmental
review during which aesthetics will be analyzed.
AGRICULTRAL RESOURCES
(c) ’ Involve other changes in the existing environment, which, due to their location or nature,
could result in conversion of Farmland to non-agricultural use?
Less than significant. LCPA 02-10 could potentially result in a decrease in the amount of agricultural land
due to the proposed policy which requires creation of habitat as partial or full mitigation for impacts to
biological resources. The creation of habitat may take place on agricultural land if such land is purchased
by a project applicant for mitigation purposes. In that event there would be a conversion of the mitigation
land from agricultural use to wildlife habitat. However, this impact will be less than significant. The
conversion of agricultural land to another type of open space use is qualitatively different from urban
development and does not entail any of the same impacts.
AIR QUALITY-Would the project:
a) Conflict with or obstruct implementation of the applicable air quality plan?
No Impact. Amending thc Carlsbad Local Coastal Program to include the already adopted Habitat Management
Plan will not have any effect on air quality. The following discussion provided more detailed background on the
status of air quality in Carlsbad and the region.
Carlsbad is located in the San Diego Air Basin which is a federal and state non-attainment area for ozone (03), and a
state non-attainment area for particulate matter less than or equal to 10 microns in diameter (PMIO). The periodic
violations of national Ambient Air Quality Standards (AAQS) in the San Diego Air Basin (SDAB), particularly for
ozone in inland foothill areas, requires that a plan be developed outlining the pollution controls that will be
undertaken to improve air quality. In San Diego County, this attainment planning process is embodied in the
Regional Air Quality Strategies (RAQS) developed jointly by the Air Pollution Control District (APCD) and the San
Diego Association of Governments (SANDAG).
A plan to meet the federal standard for ozone was developed in 1994 during the process of updating the 1991 state-
mandated plan. This local plan was combined with plans from all other California non-attainment areas having
serious ozone problems and used to create the California State Implementation Plan (SIP). The SIP was adopted by
the Air Resources Board (ARB) after public hearings on November 9th through 10th in 1994, and was forwarded to
the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) for approval. After considerable analysis and debate, particularly
regarding airsheds with the worst smog problems, EPA approved the SIP in mid-1996.
The proposed project relates to the SIP andor RAQS through the land use and growth assumptions that are
incorporated into the air quality planning document. These growth assumptions are based on each city’s and the
County’s general plan. If a proposed project is consistent with its applicable General Plan, then the project
presumably has been anticipated with the regional air quality planning process. Such consistency would ensure that
the project would not have an adverse regional air quality impact.
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Section 15125(B) of the State of California Environment Quality Act (CEQA) Guidelines contains specific
reference to the need to evaluate any inconsistencies between the proposed project and the applicable air quality
management plan. Transportation Control Measures (TCMs) are part of the RAQS. The RAQS and TCM plan set
forth the steps needed to accomplish attainment of state and federal ambient air quality standards. The California
Air Resources Board provides criteria for determining whether a project conforms with the RAQS which include the
following:
0 Is a regional air quality plan being implemented in the project area?
0 Is the project consistent with the growth assumptions in the regional air quality plan?
The project area is located in the San Diego Air Basin, and as such, is located in an area where a RAQS is being
implemented. The project is consistent with the growth assumptions of the City’s General Plan and the RAQS.
Therefore, the project is consistent with the regional air quality plan and will in no way conflict with or obstruct
implementation of the regional plan.
b) Violate any air quality standard or contribute substantially to an existing or projected air quality
violation?
No Impact. The closest air quality monitoring station is in the City of Oceanside. Data available for this
monitoring site through April, 2002 indicate that the most recent air quality violations recorded were for the state
one hour standard for ozone (one day in both 2000 and 2001) and one day in 2001 for the federal 8-hour average for
ozone and one day for the 24-hour state standard for suspended particulates in 1996. No violations of any other air
quality standards have been recorded recently.
c) Result in a cumulatively considerable net increase of any criteria pollutant for which the project region is non-attainment under an applicable federal or state ambient air quality standard?
No Impact. The Air Basin is currently in a non-attainment zone for ozone and suspended frne particulates. As
described above, however, there would be no emissions associated with the proposed project because the project is
purely regulatory and does not authorize any development. Given the lack of emissions associated with the
proposed project, air quality would be the same whether or not the proposed project is implemented. According to
the CEQA Guidelines Section 15064(i)(3), the proposed project will not make any contribution to cumulative
impacts.
d) Expose sensitive receptors to substantial pollutant concentrations?
No Impact. As described above, the proposed project would not result in any pollutant emissions or concentrations.
e) Create objectionable odors affecting a substantial number of people?
No Impact. As described above, the proposed project would not result in any pollutant emissions or objectionable
odors.
IV. Biological Resources
No impact. The proposed project deals primarily with biological resources in that it involves incorporating
the Habitat Management Plan into the City’s Local Coastal Program. This action does not authorize or
permit any development project or any impacts to biological resources. The proposed action modifies
certain provisions of the Local Coastal Program to provide higher levels protection for biological resources.
The present Local Coastal Program provides some protection for wetlands and habitats located on steep
slopes. The proposed LCPA 02-10 provides greater protection for wetlands and for habitats located on
areas other than steep slopes. In addition, the proposed LCPA 02-10 includes enhanced buffer requirements
and the requirement for a long-term management and monitoring program for species and habitats.
Any development projects which would have the potential to impact biological resources are currently
required to undergo an extensive review and permitting process which includes biological surveys of the
project site, compliance with the Habitat Management Plan, compliance with the Local Coastal Program
(for properties located inside the Coastal Zone), CEQA compliance, public hearings, issuance of local .
permits, and issuance of ,state or federal permits if required. These existing plans and regulatory
mechanisms ensure that potentially significant biological impacts are disclosed and fully mitigated.
16 Rev. 07/03/02
The proposed project supports and strengthens the existing regulatory process by incorporating the adopted
Habitat Management Plan into the Local Coastal Program and making miscellaneous adjustments for
consistency.
V. Cultural Resources
No Impact. Because the proposed project does not authorize any grading, excavation, or soil disturbance of
any kind, the project will not have any effect on cultural resources. Protection of cultural resources will
continue to be governed, both inside and outside the Coastal Zone, by the City of Carlsbad Cultural
Guidelines dated December 1990 which are incorporated in the General Plan.
VI. GEOLOGY AND SOILS
No Impact. As noted above the proposed project does not authorize any grading, excavation, or soil
disturbance of any kind. The project does not modify any of the existing regulations dealing with grading
or earth moving. Therefore, the project will have no impact on geology and soils.
VII. HAZARDS AND HAZARDOUS MATERIALS
Less than Significant Impact. Because the proposed project is a purely regulatory action that does not
authorize any development, it will not have the potential to create a hazard to the pubic or the environment.
The project does not authorize the transportation, use, or release of any hazardous materials or waste.
By encouraging the conservation of native vegetation in the Coastal Zone, the project has the potential to
result in a slight increase in the risk of wildland fires. However, the proposed project contains within it
regulations regarding fuel modification zones and setbacks of development from native vegetation.
Therefore, the potential impact is less than significant.
VIII. HYDROLOGY AND WATER QUALITY.
No Impact. Because the proposed project is a purely regulatory action that does not authorize any
development, it will not have the potential to affect hydrology or water quality. All development projects
are required to meet all federal, state, and local regulations, including the federal Clean Water Act,
California Administrative Code Title 23, and specific basin plan objectives identified in the “Water Quality
Control Plan for the San Diego Basin.” The Water Quality Control Plan identifies specific objectives for
the Carlsbad Hydrologic Unit and its subareas. All development projects must obtain a National Pollution
Discharge Elimination System permit prior to construction. The permit will require that the project develop
and implement specific erosion control and storm water pollution prevention plans to protect water quality.
IX. LAND USE AND PLANNING
No Impact. The proposed LCPA 02-10 does not have the potential to divide an existing community
because it is a purely regulatory action dealing with conservation of biological resources. The project will
not conflict with any adopted plan, regulation or habitat conservation plan because the purpose of the
project is to bring applicable plans and regulations into consistency with each other. This will be
accomplished by amending the Carlsbad Local Coastal Program to incorporate by reference the Habitat
Management Plan, and making other miscellaneous changes.
X. MINERAL RESOURCES
No Impact. Because the proposed project is a purely regulatory action that does not authorize any
development, it will not have the potential to affect mineral resources. Existing locations for mineral
extraction exist outside the Coastal Zone and will not be affected by the proposed LCPA.
XI. NOISE
No Impact. Because the proposed project is a purely regulatory action that does not authorize any
development, it will not have the potential to create any noise impacts or expose sensitive receptors to
noise.
17 Rev. 07/03/02
W. POPULATION AND HOUSING
No Impact. The project consists of amending the Local Coastal ProgrA to incorporate an existing policy
document, the Habitat Management Plan. This action has no potential to induce growth or to displace
existing housing or people.
XIII. PUBLIC SERVICES
No Impact. The proposed project has no potential to impact Fire, Police, Schools, Parks, or other public
services. ..
XIV. RECREATION
No Impact. The project has no potential to impact recreational facilities.
XV. TRANSPORTATION/TRAFFC
No Impact. Because the proposed project is a purely regulatory action that does not authorize any
development, it will not have the potential to create any transportation or traffic impacts. The proposed
project will not add any trips to existing roads. The project does not modify or conflict with the regional
congestion management plan. The project does not include any aviation components and would not result
in a change of air traffic patterns or result in substantial safety risks. The project will not affect any
emergency routes. The project will not affect parking capacity. The project will not conflict with adopted
policies, plans or programs supporting alternative transportation.
XVI. UTILITIES AND SERVICES SYSTEMS
No Impact. Because the proposed project is a purely regulatory action that does not authorize any
development, it will not have the potential to create any impacts to utilities or services systems including
water, wastewater, storm drainage, or landfills.
EARLIER ANALYSIS USED AND SUPPORTING INFORMATION SOURCES
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.
5
1. Mitigated Negative Declaration EL4 99-04, Habitat Management Plan for Natural Communities in the City
of Carlsbad, April 1999, on file in the Planning Department.
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