HomeMy WebLinkAbout2008-11-19; Planning Commission; Resolution 65111 PLANNING COMMISSION RESOLUTION NO. 6511
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A RESOLUTION OF THE PLANNING COMMISSION OF THE
3 CITY OF CARLSBAD, CALIFORNIA, ADOPTING A
MITIGATED NEGATIVE DECLARATION AND MITIGATION
4 MONITORING AND REPORTING PROGRAM TO ALLOW
FOR THE CONSTRUCTION AND OPERATION OF THE
CITY'S FIRST RESPONDERS TRAINING FACILITY ON A
6 4.06-ACRE PARCEL LOCATED AT THE CITY'S SAFETY
CENTER BALL FIELD ON ORION WAY, EAST OF EL
7 CAMINO REAL AND NORTH OF FARADAY AVENUE, IN
LOCAL FACILITIES MANAGEMENT ZONE 5.
8 CASE NAME: FIRST RESPONDERS TRAINING FACILITY
9 CASE NO.: CUP 08-15
10 WHEREAS, the City of Carlsbad, "Developer'V'Owner," has filed a verified
application with the City of Carlsbad regarding property described as
12 All that portion of Lot "B" of Rancho Agua Hedionda, in the
13 City of Carlsbad, County of San Diego, State of California,
according to Map thereof No. 823 filed in the office of the
14 County Recorder of said County November 16, 1896, lying
within the land described in deed to said County of San Diego,
15 recorded January 18, 1974, at Instrument No. 74-014190 in
said Recorder's Office, described as follows:
17 Commencing at the northeasterly corner of said County of San
Diego land; then north 89 degrees 54'00" west, 23.41 feet to
18 point 14 of said Lot "B" as shown on said Map 823; thence
along the boundary of said County land, south 54 degrees
9 15'33" west, 326.48 feet; thence south 50 degrees 55'35" west,
20 1788.65 feet; thence south 01 degrees 28'24" west, 787.30 feet
to the true point of beginning; thence continuing along said
21 boundary, south 10 degrees 46'15" west, 1337.68 feet; thence
leaving said boundary, south 79 degrees 13'45" east, 703.35
22 feet; thence north 30 degrees 28'48" east, 900.00 feet; thence
north 30 degrees 31'12" west, 800.00 feet; thence south 87
degrees 45'29" west, 491.59 feet to the true point of beginning
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("the Property"); and
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WHEREAS, a Mitigated Negative Declaration was prepared in conjunction with
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27 said project; and
28 WHEREAS, the Planning Commission did on November 19, 2008, 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
2 and arguments, examining the initial study, analyzing the information submitted by staff, and
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considering any written comments received, the Planning Commission considered all factors4
<- relating to the Mitigated Negative Declaration.
6 NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT HEREBY RESOLVED by the Planning
7 Commission as follows:
o A) That the foregoing recitations are true and correct.
9 B) That based on the evidence presented at the public hearing, the Planning
10 Commission hereby ADOPTS the Mitigated Negative Declaration and
Mitigation Monitoring and Reporting Program, Exhibit "MND," according to
11 Exhibits "Notice of Intent (NOI)," and "Environmental Impact Assessment Form
- Initial Study (EIA)," attached hereto and made a part hereof, based on the
following findings:
13 Findings:
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1. The Planning Commission of the City of Carlsbad does hereby find:
, 6 a. it has reviewed, analyzed, and considered the Mitigated Negative Declaration and
Mitigation Monitoring and Reporting Program for the FIRST RESPONDERS
17 TRAINING FACILITY - CUP 08-15, the environmental impacts therein
identified for this project and any comments thereon prior to APPROVING the
18 project; and
b. the Mitigated Negative Declaration and Mitigation Monitoring and Reporting
2Q Program has been prepared in accordance with requirements of the California
Environmental Quality Act, the State Guidelines and the Environmental
21 Protection Procedures of the City of Carlsbad; and
22 c. it reflects the independent judgment of the Planning Commission of the City of
Carlsbad; and
24 d. based on the EIA and comments thereon, there is no substantial evidence the
project will have a significant effect on the environment.
25 Conditions:
26 i. This approval is granted subject to the approval of CUP 08-15 and is subject to all
27 conditions contained in Planning Commission Resolution No. 6512 for those other
approvals incorporated herein by reference.
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2. The Developer/Owner shall implement or cause the implementation of the First
Responders Mitigation Monitoring and Reporting Program.
PCRESONO. 6511 -2-
1 PASSED, APPROVED, AND ADOPTED at a regular meeting of the Planning
2 Commission of the City of Carlsbad, California, held on November 19, 2008, by the following
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vote, to wit:
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<- AYES: Commissioners Baker, Boddy, Cardosa, Dominguez, Douglas,
Montgomery, and Chairperson Whitton
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NOES:
7
ABSENT:8
9 ABSTAIN:
10
11
FRANK H. WHITTON, Chairperson
12 CARLSBAD PLANNING COMMISSION
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14 ATTEST:
15
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17 DONNEU
Planning Director
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PCRESONO. 6511 -3-
•ftlfipCity of Carlsbad B°"
Planning Department
NOTICE OF INTENT TO ADOPT A
MITIGATED NEGATIVE DECLARATION
CASE NAME:
CASE NO:
PROJECT LOCATION:
First Responders Training Facility
CUP 08-15
2560 Orion Way. Carlsbad. California 92010
PROJECT DESCRIPTION: The City of Carlsbad proposes to construct a first responders
training facility. The project consists of four buildings, which include a police firing range, fire
training tower, commercial and residential burn props, administrative offices, and classrooms.
PROPOSED DETERMINATION: 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, the initial study (EIA Part 2) identified potentially
significant effects on the environment, but (1) revisions in the project plans or proposals made
by, or agreed to by, the applicant before the proposed negative declaration and initial study are
released for public review would avoid the effects or mitigate the effects to a point where clearly
no significant effect on the environment would occur, and (2) there is no substantial evidence in
light of the whole record before the City that the project "as revised" may have a significant
effect on the environment. Therefore, a Mitigated Negative Declaration will be recommended
for adoption by the City of Carlsbad Planning Commission.
A copy of the initial study (EIA Part 2) documenting reasons to support the proposed Mitigated
Negative Declaration 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 20 days of the date of this notice.
The proposed project and Mitigated Negative Declaration are subject to review and adoption by
the City of Carlsbad Planning Commission. Additional public notices will be issued when those
public hearings are scheduled. If you have any questions, please call Pam Drew in the Planning
Department at (760) 602-4644.
PUBLIC REVIEW PERIOD October 8, 2008 to October 28. 2008
PUBLISH DATE October 8, 2008
1635 Faraday Avenue • Carlsbad, CA 92008-7314 • (760) 602-4600 • FAX (760) 602-8559 • www.ci.carlsbad.ca.us
MITIGATED NEGATIVE DECLARATION
CASE NAME: First Responders Training Facility
CASE NO: CUP 08-15
PROJECT LOCATION: 2560 Orion Way, Carlsbad, California 92010
PROJECT DESCRIPTION: The City of Carlsbad proposes to construct a first responders training
facility. The project consists of four buildings, which include a police firing range, fire training
tower, commercial and residential burn props, administrative offices, and classrooms.
DETERMINATION: 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, the initial study (EIA Part 2) identified potentially significant effects on the environment,
and the City of Carlsbad finds as follows:
[X] 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 the
attached sheet have been added to the project.
I I 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. (Mitigated Negative
Declaration applies only to the effects that remained to be addressed).
I I 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.
A copy of the initial study (EIA Part 2) documenting reasons to support the Negative Declaration is
on file in the Planning Department, 1635 Faraday Avenue, Carlsbad, California 92008.
ADOPTED: [CLICK HERE datel, pursuant to Planning Commission Resolution No.
ATTEST:
DON NEU
Planning Director
ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT ASSESSMENT FORM - INITIAL STUDY
(TO BE COMPLETED BY THE PLANNING DEPARTMENT)
CASE NO: CUP 08-15
DATE: October 2. 2008
BACKGROUND
1. CASE NAME: City of Carlsbad Joint First Responders Training Facility
2. LEAD AGENCY NAME AND ADDRESS: City of Carlsbad, 1635 Faraday Avenue
Carlsbad, CA 92008-7314
3. CONTACT PERSON AND PHONE NUMBER: William Plummer. PE, Deputy City Engineer,
(760) 602-2720
4. PROJECT LOCATION: Orion Way. Carlsbad. California
5. PROJECT SPONSOR'S NAME AND ADDRESS: City of Carlsbad, 1635 Faraday Avenue
Carlsbad. CA 92008-7314 ;
6. GENERAL PLAN DESIGNATION: (G) Governmental Facilities
7. ZONING: Open Space
OTHER PUBLIC AGENCIES WHOSE APPROVAL IS REQUIRED (i.e., permits, financing
approval or participation agreements): n/a
9. PROJECT DESCRIPTION/ ENVIRONMENTAL SETTING AND SURROUNDING LAND
USES:
PROJECT LOCATION AND SUMMARY
The Carlsbad Joint First Responders Training Facility project includes the construction of four
major facilities: a Residential Burn Prop Facility, a Commercial Burn Prop Facility, a Fire
Administration/Support Facility, and a Shooting Range/Classroom for the purposes of training
public safety officers and fire fighters (see Figure 1, Regional Project Location Map, and
Figure 2, Site Plan). A burn prop facility is an enclosed building containing areas constructed to
resemble actual residences or commercial workplaces. These "prop" buildings are staged with
furniture and items typically used in households and workplaces, in order to represent actual
conditions that may be present during a fire or emergency.
Environmental Setting
The project site is located in the City of Carlsbad and is bounded by, Orion Street and Orion Way,
which is semicircular and one-way. The surrounding land uses include public buildings within a
public works complex as well as a skate park to the south and commercial/industrial office
buildings in the general project vicinity. The area is further surrounded to the east and north by
open space (including a habitat preserve area) and to the west and south by commercial business
park development. El Camino Real, a north-south thoroughfare, is two blocks west of the site.
ISA FIGURE 1
FEET
SOURCE: The Thomas Guide, 2006
Carlsbadjoint First Responders Training Facility
Project Location
I:\RDG0803\G\Location.cdr (7/29/08)
ISA FIGURE 2
50 100
FEET
SOURCE: RRM Design Group, Inc
Carlsbad Joint First Responders Training Facility
Site Plan
l:\RDG0803\G\Site Plan.cdr (7/29/08)
CUP 08-15
Carlsbad Joint First Responders Training Facility
Shooting Range/Classroom
The Shooting Range and Classroom Building is the largest component of the project, occupying
33,183 square feet. The structure will extend along the southern property line and have two
stories except for the portion over the shooting range. Floor space is dedicated to dividable
classrooms, storage, offices, lobby, restrooms, and other ancillary facilities. This building will use
Stage 3/HEPA Air Filters to reduce exposure to lead (RRM 2008).
Fire Administration Building
Fire Administration functions will be centralized in a 9,710-square foot, two-story building. First
floor functions include exercise facilities, restrooms, lockers, and showers. Second floor functions
include conference space, several offices, and Disaster Preparedness and Emergency Medical
Services (EMS) space.
Residential Burn Prop Facility
The Residential Burn Prop Facility is a 2,246 square foot, two-story structure designed to
simulate a single-family house. The upstairs contains an open training area, a room for prop
equipment (furniture and items used to mimic a typical residence, similar to a movie set), and a
stairwell to the ground floor, which has a garage, kitchen, living room, dining room, study, and
bathroom.
Commercial Burn Prop Facility
The most centrally located structure on the project site is the Commercial Burn Prop Facility, a
6,558-square foot, four-story building. The bulk of the floor area is within the first two levels
whereas the third floor is 584 square feet and the fourth floor is limited to 342 square feet. The
first floor is designed to resemble retail and office space and the second floor is designed to
resemble office and apartment space.
Support Facilities
The proposed project includes these additional support facilities:
• Multiple monument signs on the periphery of the project to identify its use.
• Outdoor features including a two-space public parking lot on the west side of the site at the
entrance to the Training Facility on Orion Street, a three-space public parking lot on the ease
side of the site adjacent to the Fire Administration Building, a security perimeter wall,
secured standard parking for thirty-seven vehicles, rodeo/drill grounds in the northwest
portion of the site, an outside classroom area, a cul-de-sac training area adjacent to the
Residential Burn Prop Facility, an automobile extrication area, and a trench rescue area.
• Water used for training on the two fire prop facilities and hardscape runoff will be captured
and used to supplement recycled water supplies that will be used for landscape irrigation.
This water will be captured in drains, stored in an underground tank, and pumped for
irrigation as needed. In the event that a lack of training activity and/or storm events have left
the captured water reservoir dry, then all irrigation water will be taken from the recycled
water supply, which is directly available at the site. The City's Engineering Department
estimates recycled water pressure at 80 pounds per square inch (psi) at the highest ground
elevation on site and 87 psi at the lowest ground elevation on site. Drainage from the car
extrication area and the cul-de-sac will run through a clarifier and will discharge directly into
the sewer system and will not be used for irrigation.
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Carlsbad Joint First Responders Training Facility
Training Activities and Burn Prop Use Schedule
The indoor and outdoor training activities may take place at any hour but typically will occur
between 7:00 AM and 10:00 PM so the first responders can work in daylight or darkness,
conditions critical to their training and operations. Normally, training activities are planned when
firefighters are on their respective shifts or when they are conducting an academy for new
recruits. As a result, there are no set times, days or weeks when training would occur.
Fire Training
Standard Fire Fighting Training occurs both indoors and outdoors. Outdoor activities include
parking and placement of the truck, laying hose and connecting hose to the truck or fire hydrant,
communications between the engineer and the attack team, and post staging. Outdoor noises
include loud command voices and the noise from the truck pump, which necessarily produces or
increases water pressure through the attack hose lines. During training (evolutions), the total time
from entry to fire suppression is about 10 minutes. Depending on the number of personnel to be
trained, these evolutions could be repeated several times before the truck pumps are shut down
and the post staging occurs.
For Multiple Company Training events, the noise and activity levels increase because there are
two or three trucks present at the site, all performing concurrent activities as described above.
These events are rare, however, because so many resources have to be taken offline to perform
them.
Search & Rescue Training occurs mostly within the training buildings. The team circles a
building and uses infrared devices to locate heat sources. Once the team has located these
sources, they enter the dark structure to search and recover.
Car Extrication Training normally occurs during daylight hours but occasionally occurs at
night, with truck lights used for illumination. The machinery used to pry the cars open, includes
the "jaws of life". Training may include breaking through windshields and other car windows.
Like Car Extrication Training, Trench Rescue Training normally occurs during daylight hours
but occasionally will occur at night, with truck lights used for illumination. The trench is sub-
grade and approximately eight feet deep. The training involves activities such as placement of
shoring devices, tripod bracing for hoisting, and use of pneumatic tools for preparation and
ground work.e>
Driver's Training on the open "Rodeo" involves slow maneuvers on a course with a maximum
speed of approximately 10 mph. The driver's training almost always is performed during the
daylight hours, to allow optimum visibility.
Police Training
While the residential and commercial burn prop facilities are intended mostly for fire department
training, the buildings also function well as police Standard Training environments, especially
for search-and-locate activities. Typically, these involve a team moving in and around the
structures in simulated scenarios. Training achieves realism through the use of guns with rubber •
bullets during both daylight and evening hours. However, guns will not be used outdoors. Police
and fire departments would plan simultaneous training events such as mass casualty or hazardous
materials spills.
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Carlsbad Joint First Responders Training Facility
Project Approvals and Permits Required
The project will obtain and comply with a Conditional Use Permit issued by the City of Carlsbad.
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.
A Aesthetics
| Agricultural Resources
Air Quality
X] Biological Resources
Cultural Resources
Geology/Soils Noise
Hazards/Hazardous Materials LJ Population and Housing
I Hydrology /Water Quality
Land Use and Planning
Mineral Resources
Mandatory Findings of
Significance
| Public Services
I Recreation
Transportation/Circulation
Utilities & Service Systems
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Carlsbad Joint First Responders Training Facility
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.
|/\ VI 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.
Planner Signature Date
/0-2.-08
Planning Director's Signature Date
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Carlsbad Joint First Responders Training Facility
ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACTS
STATE CEQA GUIDELINES, Chapter 3, Article 5, Section 15063 requires that the City conduct an
Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) 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.
• 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 "EIA-Initial Study", if a proposed project could have a potentially significant
adverse effect on the environment, but all 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
Overriding 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.
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Carlsbad Joint First Responders Training Facility
• 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 significant 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-Initial Study 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 after each related set of
questions. Particular attention should be given to discussing mitigation for impacts, which would
otherwise be determined significant.
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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?
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?
Potentially
Significant
Impact
Potentially
Significant
Unless
Mitigation
Incorporated
Less Than
Significant No
Impact Impact
Would the project:
a) Have a substantial adverse effect on a scenic vista?
Less Than Significant Impact. The proposed project site is located within the City of Carlsbad in the
Public Safety and Public Works complex area. The site is currently landscaped, except for the informal
baseball field that the City has allowed as a temporary use. The existing and designated future land uses
within the immediate viewshed of the project site are generally low-lying and do not represent significant
visual features.
Preliminary plans indicate that the buildings will consist of one- and two-story buildings and one four-
story building that will be architecturally compatible with current development within the Public Safety
complex area. The building elevations will not exceed the surrounding development with the exception of
the fire training tower, and will not obstruct any scenic vistas. Therefore, the proposed project will have
less than significant impacts related to scenic vistas, and no mitigation is required.
b) Substantially damage scenic resources including but not limited to trees, rock outcroppings,
and historic buildings within a state scenic highway?
Less Than Significant Impact. See response to a) above. The project site is not located within a
designated scenic corridor, and no unique scenic resources are present on site or in the vicinity of the site.
There are no state-designated scenic highways near the project site. Although some landscaping trees will
be removed during construction, there are no City-designated heritage trees or otherwise locally important
trees on the site. Existing native oak trees on site will remain and some of the non-native mature
landscaping will be utilized or relocated on site. Landscaping has been provided as part of the proposed
project in accordance with the City's Landscape Manual. Therefore, the proposed project will have less
than significant impacts related to scenic resources, and no mitigation is required.
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Carlsbad Joint First Responders Training Facility
c) Substantially degrade the existing visual character or quality of the site and its surroundings?
Potentially Significant Unless Mitigation Incorporated. The project site is currently open and has a
park-like setting surrounded by the Public Safety and Public Works complex area. Although the project
will develop the site with training facilities, the project is generally consistent with the visual character of
the surrounding area, which is composed of other public facilities and commercial/industrial architecture.
Existing Police and Fire Department buildings' design consist of simple building massing utilizing
"block" shapes, flat roofs and parapets. The existing Fleet Maintenance building is a simple rectilinear
concrete masonry block building with a flat roof and parapet. The new Training Center structures utilize
this same simple block massing with flat roofs, parapets and concrete masonry block used as the main
wall material. Additional use of flat and ribbed metal panels, perforated metal screens and vertical colored
glass "fins" all aid in enhancing the aesthetics of the project.
One area of aesthetic concern is the length of wall on the exterior of the shooting range. To minimize
aesthetic impacts, project design includes the City sign at the west end of this elevation and four separate
landscape trellis-type features (freestanding metal grid panels allowing for vine growth adjacent to, but
not on, building walls). These "green screens" will break up and soften the length of the building. The
trellises would be separated from the building by several inches, thereby adding visual depth to the
fa9ade.
Two freestanding figurative public art pieces will be placed at the eastern edge of the shooting range. This
art will be accessible to the public and have associated site work and features to further soften the wall of
the shooting range. This art installation toward the eastern end of the shooting range structure will be
placed specifically with the intent of further breaking up the bulk and mass of the nearby building fa9ade.
A six (6)-foot high perimeter site screen/security wall will be constructed utilizing concrete masonry
block and panels of perforated metal mesh that echo the materials of the main buildings and will screen
the less aesthetic Training Center functions such as the trench rescue and auto extrication areas from
outside view. This wall will further screen the large rodeo/drill grounds and lower portions of the two
burn buildings as it is to be installed around the perimeter of the project site.
Elsewhere on the project site, the main features of the landscape plan are focused on the periphery.
Numerous species of trees (e.g. Coast Live Oak, Australian Willow, and Catalina Ironwood) will mature
and obscure the buildings on site. Although not intended to mimic a natural environment, the project
landscaping will soften the visual setting. Mitigation Measure AES-1 has been proposed to ensure
establishment of a graded setting consistent with the Public Safety and Public Works complex area.
Mitigation Measure AES-2 has been proposed to ensure implementation of a landscape plan that is
consistent with City standards and that achieves the objective of improving the aesthetic environment.
With implementation of Mitigation Measures AES-1 and AES-2, impacts to the visual quality of the site
and its surroundings would be less than significant.
d) Create a new source of substantial light or glare that would adversely affect day or nighttime
views in the area?
Potentially Significant Unless Mitigation Incorporated. The proposed facilities will add a new source
of light and glare to a presently undeveloped site. Parking areas and buildings will incorporate lighting for
safety and security purposes. The security lighting will be directed to on-site facilities and ground areas
adjacent to structures; therefore, no direct light will be visible beyond the property lines. In addition,
lighting fixtures will be designed to minimize glare on adjacent properties, streets, and into the night sky.
Lighting fixtures will be in compliance with City Municipal Code Title 21, Zoning, Chapter 21.44,
Parking (specifically, Section 21.44.080(C), which states: "Any lights provided to illuminate any public
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Carlsbad Joint First Responders Training Facility
parking area, semi-public parking area or used car sales area permitted by this chapter shall be so
arranged as to reflect the light away from any premises upon which a dwelling unit is located"). In order
to minimize any potential light and glare impacts to nearby uses, Mitigation Measure AES-3, requiring
approval of a lighting plan, is proposed. Implementation of this measure will ensure that potential light
and glare impacts are reduced to a less than significant level.
Mitigation Measures
AES-1 Prior to any grading or construction activities, the City Engineer shall review and approve the
grading plans for consistency with existing Public Safety and Public Works facilities in the
area.
AES-2 Prior to any grading or construction activities, the City Landscape Consultant shall review the
landscape plans for consistency with the City Landscape Manual and existing Public Safety
and Public Works facilities in the area.
AES-3 Prior to issuance of a building permit, a detailed lighting plan shall be reviewed and approved
by the Planning Director. The lighting plan shall include specifications indicating that all
lighting fixtures have been designed to include shades or hoods, directional lenses, or other
techniques to minimize light spillover onto adjacent and nearby properties and reflection into
the night sky. Fixtures shall include directional light mounts and non-glare hoods to reduce
the potential light and glare impacts on surrounding properties.
II. AGRICULTURAL 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?
Potentially
Significant
Impact
Potentially
Significant
Unless
Mitigation
Incorporated
Less Than
Significant No
Impact Impact
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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 nonagricultural use?
No Impact. The proposed facilities would be constructed in a small parcel that is within the loop of Orion
Way and Orion Street in Carlsbad, CA. This site is not currently used for farming. This area is mapped by
the Farmland Mapping and Monitoring Program (FMMP) as urban and built-up land. Therefore, there are
no impacts related to Farmlands of Statewide Importance, Unique Farmland, or Farmlands of Local
Importance.
b) Conflict with existing zoning for agricultural use or a Williamson Act contract?
No Impact. The proposed project site is not located on Williamson Act land, nor does a Williamson Act
Contract restrict development on the site. The site is not zoned for agricultural us. Therefore, there are no
impacts related to zoning for agricultural uses or 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 nonagriculture?
No Impact. The proposed project will not result in the conversion of any agricultural lands either directly
or indirectly. Therefore, there are no impacts related to conversion of farmland.
III. 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
applicable air quality plan?
b) Violate any air quality standard or contribute
substantially to an existing or projected air
quality violation?
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)?
Potentially
Significant
Impact
Potentially
Significant
Unless
Mitigation
Incorporated
Less Than
Significant No
Impact Impact
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d) Expose sensitive receptors to substantial
pollutant concentrations?
e) Create objectionable odors affecting a
substantial number of people?
Potentially
Significant
Impact
Potentially
Significant
Unless
Mitigation
Incorporated
Less Than
Significant No
Impact Impact
a) Conflict with or obstruct implementation of the applicable air quality plan?
No Impact. The project site is located in the San Diego Air Basin (SDAB) which is a state non-
attainment area for ozone (O3) and for particulate matter less than or equal to 10 microns in diameter
(PM10) as well as for particulate matter less than or equal to 2.5 microns in diameter (PM2.5). The air
quality monitoring station closest to the site is the Camp Pendleton Station, monitoring only ozone (O3)
and nitrogen dioxide (NO2). The Escondido-East Valley Parkway station monitors all the criteria
pollutants except sulfur dioxide (SO2). The closest station monitoring SO2 is in the City of San Diego
(LSA Associates, Inc. [LSA] 2008a). While this data may not be representative of the project site, it is
reported here for completeness. The criteria pollutants monitored at these stations are illustrated in Table
A below. The periodic violations of national Ambient Air Quality Standards (AAQS) in the 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 San Diego
Air Pollution Control District (SDAPCD) and the San Diego Association of Governments (SANDAG).
Fable A. Ambient Air Quality in the Project Vicinity
Pollutant Standard 2005 2006 2007
Carbon Monoxide1
Max 1-hr concentration (ppm)
No. days exceeded: State
Federal
Max 8-hr concentration (ppm)
No. days exceeded: State
Federal
> 20 ppm/l-hr
> 35 ppm/l-hr
9.0 ppm/8-hr
9 ppm/8-hr
5.9
0
0
3.10
0
0
5.7
0
0
3.61
0
0
5.2
0
0
3.19
0
0
Ozone2
Max 1 -hr concentration (ppm)
No. days exceeded: State
Max 8-hr concentration (ppm)
No. days exceeded: State
No. days exceeded: Federal3
> 0.09 ppm/l-hr
> 0.07 ppm/l-hr
> 0.08 ppm/8-hr
0.090
0
0.074
2
0
0.086
0
0.073^
5
0
0.083
0
0.074
4
0
Particulates(PM10)1
Max 24-hr concentration ( |ig/m3)
No. days exceeded: State
Federal
Annual Arithmetic Average ( |ig/m )
Exceeded: State
> 50 ug/m3/24-hr
> 150 ng/m3/24-hr
> 20 Hg/m3 ann. arth. avg.
42.0
0
0
23.9
Yes
51.0
1
0
24.2
Yes
68.0
2
0
26.9
Yes
California Air Resources Board and U.S. EPA, 2008.
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Pollutant Standard 2005 2006 2007
Participates (PM2.5) '
Max 24-hr concentration ( ug/m3)
No. days exceeded: Federal
Annual Arithmetic Average ( (ig/m3)
Exceeded: State
Federal
>65 ug/m3/24-hr
> 12 ug/m3 arm. arth. avg.
> 15 ug/m3 ann. arth. avg.
43.1
0
14
Yes
No
40.6
0
14
Yes
No
126.2
2
13
Yes
No
Nitrogen Dioxide2
Max 1 -hr concentration (ppm)
No. days exceeded: State
Annual arithmetic average concentration (ppm)
Exceeded: Federal
>0.25ppm/l-hr
> 0.053 ppm ann. arth. avg.
0.077
0
0.012
No
0.081
0
0.011
No
0.068
0
0.010
No
Sulfur Dioxide4
Max 24-hr concentration (ppm)
No. days exceeded: State
Federal
Annual arithmetic average concentration (ppm)
Exceeded: Federal
> 0.04 ppm/24-hr
>0.14ppm/24-hr
> 0.030 ppm ann. arth. avg.
0.005
0
0
0.003
No
0.009
0
0
0.004
No
0.006
0
0
0.003
No
Source: United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and California Air Resources Board (ARB), 2005—2007
1 Monitored at the Escondido-East Valley Parkway Monitoring Station
2 Monitored at the Camp Pendleton Monitoring Station
3 Exceedance counts shown are of the 1997 federal standard; no data is available for the new standard of 0.075
ppm.
4 Monitored at the San Diego-1110 Beardsley Street Monitoring Station
ug/m3 = microgram of pollutant per cubic meter of air
ppm = parts per million
A regional air quality management plan describes air pollution control strategies to be taken by counties
or regions classified as nonattainment areas. The SDAPCD developed the 2004 RAQS to bring the area
into compliance with the federal and state air quality standards. The RAQS uses the assumptions and
projections by local planning agencies to determine control strategies for regional compliance status. Any
project causing a significant impact on air quality would impede the progress of the RAQS. For a project
in the SDAB to be consistent with the RAQS, the pollutants emitted from the project must not exceed the
local significance threshold or cause a significant impact on air quality. If feasible mitigation measures
can be implemented to reduce the project's impact level from significant to less than significant under
CEQA, the project is considered to be consistent with the RAQS.
The proposed project relates to the California State Implementation Plan (SIP) and/or 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. The project is consistent with the City of Carlsbad General Plan in
that the site is designated for Governmental (G) use in the Land Use Element, so presumably it is also
consistent with the RAQS.
Section 15125(B) of the state 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
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Air Resources Board provides criteria for determining whether a project conforms to the RAQS which
include the following:
• Is a regional air quality plan being implemented in the project area?
• Is the project consistent with the growth assumptions in the regional air quality plan?
As mentioned above, the project is consistent with the City General Plan and the regional air quality plan
and will in no way conflict or obstruct implementation of the regional plan. Therefore, the proposed
project is considered to be consistent with the SANDAG regional comprehensive plan and the RAQS.
Furthermore, the long-term emissions as analyzed in the Air Quality Report prepared for the project (LSA
2008a) would not exceed the local significance thresholds. The SDAPCD has not established guidelines
or emissions thresholds for CEQA review purposes. Therefore, the following thresholds established in the
County of San Diego Guidelines for Determining Significance (March 2007) were used in the analysis to
determine whether a significant impact will occur:
• 75 pounds per day (Ibs/day) of VOC
. 250 Ibs/day of NOX
. 100 Ibs/day of PM10
• 551bs/dayofPM2.5
Table B below shows the project's projected construction emissions and consistency with the local
(County) thresholds. Therefore, there are no impacts related to applicable air quality plans.
Table B: Emissions from Construction Operations
Number and
Equipment Type
Fine grading
Paving
Building
Architectural coating
County threshold
Exceeds threshold?
Pollutant Emissions (pounds/day)
VOC
3.4
2.4
1.4 '
20
75
No
NOX
28
14
10
0.016
250
No
PM10
2.5
1.2
0.65
0.0018
100
No
PM2.5
1.5
1.1
0.59
0.001
55
No
C02
2,300 '
1,200
1,100
24 .
No
Threshold
Source: LSA, June 2008.
b) Violate any air quality standard or contribute substantially to an existing or projected air quality
violation?
Less Than Significant Impact with Mitigation Incorporated. The closest air quality monitoring station
to the project site is at Camp Pendleton. Data available for this monitoring site from 2000 through
December 2004 indicate that the most recent air quality violations recorded were for the state one-hour
standard for ozone (a total of 10 days during the 5-year period) (Table A). No other violations of any air
quality standards have been recorded during the 5-year time period. The Air Quality Analysis prepared
for this project (LSA 2008a) estimated project-related mobile and stationary source emissions using the
URBEMIS2007 model, and included estimating emissions associated with short-term construction of the
proposed project. The analysis also evaluated localized air quality impacts (i.e., higher CO concentrations
[CO hot spots] near intersections or roadway segments in the project vicinity), and determined that they
would be small and less than significant due to the generally low ambient CO concentrations in the
project area.
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The study concluded that with implementation of the measures listed below at the end of the Air Quality
section, the proposed project would not exceed significance thresholds for pollutant emissions during
construction or operation (LSA 2008a).
Long-term emissions associated with travel to and from the project will be minimal. The traffic section
below discusses vehicle travel attributed to the project and has concluded that trips to and from the project
site are less than significant. The project will generate 274 Average Daily Trips (ADT) according to the
traffic study prepared by LSA in July 2008 (LSA 2008b). Although air pollutant emissions would be
associated with the project, they would neither result in the violation of any air quality standard
(comprising only an incremental contribution to overall air basin quality readings), nor contribute
substantially to an existing or projected air quality violation. Therefore, impacts will be less than
significant for long-term emissions.
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)?
Less Than Significant Impact. The air basin is currently in a state non-attainment zone for ozone and
suspended fine particulates. The proposed project would represent a contribution to a cumulatively
considerable potential net increase in emissions throughout the air basin. As described above, however,
emissions associated with the proposed project would be minimal. Given the limited emissions potentially
associated with the proposed project, air quality would be essentially the same whether or not the
proposed project is implemented. The project's potential to contribute Greenhouse Gases (GHGs) and
climate change is discussed below under the cumulative impacts section of the Mandatory Findings of
Significance. Construction related emissions are discussed above under item b).
The Air Quality Analysis (LSA 2008a) analyzed the project's contribution to cumulative impacts.
According to the analysis, the project would contribute criteria pollutants to the area during temporary
project construction. A number of individual projects in the area may be under construction
simultaneously with the proposed project. Depending on construction schedules and actual
implementation of projects in the area, generation of fugitive dust and pollutant emissions during
construction could result in substantial short-term increases in air pollutants. This would be a contribution
to short-term cumulative air quality impacts (LSA 2008a).
Under the cumulative conditions, the Traffic Analysis included vehicular trips from the proposed project
and all present and future projects in the project vicinity. Therefore, CO hot spot concentrations
calculated at these intersections include the cumulative traffic effect. The analysis concluded that no
significant cumulative CO impacts would occur (LSA 2008a). Additionally, the project would not result
in significant operational air quality impacts (LSA 2008a). Thus, it is anticipated that these additional
emissions would not contribute significantly to cumulative air quality impacts. Therefore, impacts will be
less than significant.
d) Expose sensitive receptors to substantial pollutant concentrations?
No Impact. As noted above, the proposed project would not result in substantial pollutant emissions or
concentrations. Stage 3/HEPA Air Filters will be utilized in the indoor firing range to eliminate exposure
to lead. There will be no actual fires used during training activities that could result in pollutant emissions
or concentrations. The training exercises use smoke and fire; they are designed to be realistic while not
exposing the trainees to unnecessary hazards. The smoke generator units are standard theatrical smoke
generators using a mineral oil as basis for the creation of smoke through a heating element. These are
non-toxic in nature. Nearby buildings will not be affected. As a result of this design, there are no
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unhealthful effects of exposure to the theatrical smoke. In addition, there are no sensitive receptors (e.g.,
schools or hospitals) located in the vicinity of the project. Therefore, no impact is identified.
e) Create objectionable odors affecting a substantial number of people?
Less Than Significant Impact. The Residential and Commercial Burn Prop Facilities would not generate
actual fires with smoke fumes. However, the construction of the proposed project could generate fumes
from the operation of construction equipment, which may be considered objectionable by some people.
Such exposure would be short-term or transient. In addition, the number of people exposed to such
transient impacts is not considered substantial. Therefore, impacts will be less than significant.
Mitigation Measures
AIR-1 The project would involve short-term emissions associated with grading and construction. In
accordance with Policy C.6 of the City's General Plan, construction control measures in San Diego
County's CEQA guidelines, and to ensure compliance with SDAPCD Rules 50 (Visible Emissions') and
51 (Nuisance), the following measures listed will apply to the project and will reduce air pollutant
emissions associated with project construction activities. Furthermore, certain equipment/vehicles
powered by diesel engines would have to meet the applicable Airborne Toxics Control Measures
(ATCMs) for control of diesel PM in the exhaust (e.g. ATCMs for Portable Diesel Engines, Heavy-Duty
Diesel Trucks Operated by Utilities, Off-Road Diesel Vehicles, and Commercial Diesel Vehicle Idling)
that are in effect during the implementation of the project.
a. Subject to approval by the City Engineer, the construction contractor shall select the construction
equipment used on site based on low emission factors and high energy efficiency. The construction
contractor shall ensure that construction grading plans include a statement that all construction
equipment will be tuned and maintained in accordance with the manufacturer's specifications.
b. Subject to approval by the City Engineer, the construction contractor shall ensure that construction
grading plans include a statement that work crews will shut off equipment when not in use.
c. Subject to approval by the City Engineer, the construction contractor shall time the construction
activities so as not to interfere with peak hour traffic, and to minimize obstruction of through traffic
lanes adjacent to the site; if necessary, a flagperson shall be retained to maintain safety adjacent to
existing roadways.
d. Subject to approval by the City Engineer, the construction contractor shall support and encourage
ridesharing and transit incentives for the construction crew.
AIR-2 Subject to approval by the City Landscape Consultant, portions of the construction site to remain
inactive longer than a period of three months shall be seeded and watered until the appropriate ground
cover is grown in accordance with the Landscape Manual Section IV-E, Slope Revegetation/Erosion
Control Policies and Requirements.
AIR-3 To minimize construction-related air quality impacts, the construction contractor shall ensure that
the following measures are observed:
a. All active portions of the construction site shall be watered a minimum of twice daily, more when
needed due to dry or windy conditions, to prevent excessive amounts of dust.
b. On-site vehicle speed shall be limited to 15 mph.
c. All on-site roads shall be paved as soon as feasible or watered periodically or chemically stabilized.
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d. All material excavated or graded shall be sufficiently watered to prevent excessive amounts of dust.
Watering, with complete coverage, shall occur at least twice daily, preferably in the late morning and
after work is done for the day.
e. All clearing, grading, earth moving, or excavation activities shall cease during periods of high winds
(i.e., greater than 25 mph averaged over one hour).
f. All material transported off site shall be either sufficiently watered or securely covered to prevent
excessive amounts of dust.
g. The area disturbed by clearing, grading, earth moving, or excavation operations shall be minimized at
all times.
h. Portable engines will be registered under the Statewide Portable Equipment Registration Program
(PERP) and will meet applicable emissions requirements.
AIR-4 To reduce the regional air quality impacts, the City Landscape Consultant shall determine trees to
be planted to provide shade and shadow to buildings,
AIR-5 To reduce the regional air quality impacts, the additional following features will be implemented
as part of the project and subject to review and approval by the Building Official:
a. Central water heater for the buildings shall be provided,
b. Double-paned glass or window treatment for energy conservation shall be used in all exterior
windows,
c. Energy efficient low-sodium parking lot lights shall be used.
IV. BIOLOGICAL RESOURCES - Would the project:
a) 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?
Potentially
Significant
Impact
Potentially
Significant
Unless
Mitigation
Incorporated
Less Than
Significant No
Impact Impact
b) 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 U.S.
Fish and Wildlife Service?
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c) 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, filling, hydrological interruption,
or other means?
d) 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?
e) Conflict with any local policies or ordinances
protecting biological resources, such as a tree
preservation policy or ordinance?
f) Conflict with the provisions of an adopted
Habitat Conservation Plan, Natural Community
Conservation Plan, or other approved local,
regional, or state habitat conservation plan?
Potentially
Significant
Impact
Potentially
Significant
Unless
Mitigation
Incorporated
Less Than
Significant
Impact
No
Impact
Would the project:
a) Have substantial adverse effects, either directly or indirectly or through habitat modification,
on any species identified as a candidate, sensitive, or special status in local or regional plans,
policies, or regulations, or by the California Department of Fish and Game or U.S. Fish and
Wildlife Service?
Less Than Significant Impact. The project site is located in an urban setting within Carlsbad and
consists of maintained surfaces that are mostly grass covered or otherwise landscaped. The proposed
project site is surrounded by a built environment although the areas to the north and east of the existing
developed areas are open space. The site does not contain any drainages or other characteristics that have
been identified with special habitat or natural community.
Carlsbad is covered by the North County Multiple Habitat Conservation Plan (MHCP) approved by the
San Diego Association of Governments on March 28, 2003. Each of the seven cities covered by the
MHCP will implement their respective portions of the MHCP through citywide "subarea" plans. Carlsbad
has adopted a Habitat Management Plan (HMP), dated November 2004, approved by the USFWS and
CDFG for the protection of several species within Carlsbad as its "subarea" plan, which identifies Core
Conservation Areas and Linkages, as well as Special Reserve Areas. The project site is not located within
any of the Core Conservation Areas or Linkages of the HMP. The HMP has three Special Resource
Areas, and the project site is located outside of these areas. The project area is identified within the HMP
as Urban/Disturbed.
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A designated habitat preserve is located east of the Safety Center complex. The project will not result in
adverse impacts to the preserve because the preserve is separated from the project site by adjacent
developments (including the Skate Park, the Public Works yard, Fleet Maintenance Facility, Fire Station
No. 5, and the Police Department and Conference Center Facility), and because the project will not result
in a substantial increase in ambient noise, pollution levels, or human activity in the vicinity of the
preserve. Therefore, impacts will be less than significant.
b) Have a substantial adverse effect on any riparian habitat or other sensitive natural community
identified in local or regional plans, policies, or regulations, or by the California Department of
Fish and Game or the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service?
No Impact. See Item a) for the project's setting. No such resources are present on the site. No impact is
identified.
c) 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, filling, hydroiogical interruption, or other means?
No Impact. See Item a) for the project's setting. The site does not contain Section 404 resources. No
impact is identified.
d) Interfere substantially with the movement of any native resident or migratory fish or wildlife
species or with established native or resident migratory wildlife corridors, or impede the use of
native wildlife nursery sites?
Potentially Significant Unless Mitigation Incorporated. See Item a) for the project's setting. Native
birds protected by the federal Migratory Bird Treaty Act (MBTA) may nest in the landscaping (trees and
shrubs) currently located on the project site. The MBTA prohibits acts that result in the "take" of most
nongame native bird species and their nests. Specifically, "take" includes actions that result in direct
mortality, removal of an active nest (where eggs or young are present), or disturbance of the adult birds
that results in abandonment of the nest. Mitigation Measure BIO-1 will reduce potential impacts to
nesting birds below a level of significance. This mitigation measure is "If construction must be conducted
during the breeding season, a qualified biologist shall conduct a focused survey for bird nests not more
than 72 hours prior to commencement of vegetation clearing activities. If active nests are found, the
City's construction contractor shall cease construction within an appropriate buffer zone of up to 500 feet,
as determined by the project biologist, around the nest site until juveniles have fledged and the nesting
cycle is complete. Crews will be briefed with the requirements, consequences and enforcement of the
MBTA prior to construction activities."
e) Conflict with any local policies or ordinances protecting biological resources, such as a tree
preservation policy or ordinance?
No Impact. The project does not conflict with adopted land use plans or policies. The trees located on the
project site are not designated as heritage trees by the City of Carlsbad Heritage Tree Program. No impact
is identified.
f) Conflict with the provisions of an adopted habitat conservation plan, natural community
conservation plan, or other approved local, regional, or state habitat conservation plan?
Less Than Significant Impact. See item a) for the project's setting. For the same reasons listed above,
impacts will be less than significant.
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Mitigation Measures
The following mitigation measure will ensure that impacts to nesting birds are reduced below a level of
significance. Compliance with the MBTA through implementation of measure BIO-1 will ensure that
impacts to nesting birds are less than significant.
BIO-1
V.
If construction must be conducted during the breeding season, a qualified biologist shall
conduct a focused survey for bird nests not more than 72 hours prior to commencement of
vegetation clearing activities. If active nest are found, the City's construction contractor shall
cease construction within an appropriate buffer zone of up to 500 feet, as determined by the
project biologist, around the nest site until juveniles have fledged and the nesting cycle is
complete. Crews will be briefed with the requirements, consequences and enforcement of the
MBTA prior to construction activities.
a)
CULTURAL RESOURCES - Would the
project:
Cause a substantial adverse change in the
significance of a historical resource as defined
in §15064.5?
Potentially
Significant
Impact
Potentially
Significant
Unless
Mitigation
Incorporated
Less Than
Significant No
Impact Impact
b) Cause a substantial adverse change in the
significance of an archeological resource
pursuant to §15064.5?
c) Directly or indirectly destroy a unique pale
ontological resource or site or unique geologic
feature?
d) Disturb any human remains, including those
interred outside of formal cemeteries?
a) Cause a substantial adverse change in the significance of a historical resource as defined in
§15064.5?
No Impact. The project site has no existing structures and is surrounded by the City's Public Works and
Public Safety buildings and Skate Park. The project site was identified in the Mitigated Negative
Declaration to Construct and Operate the Public Works Center at the City's Safety Center, Resolution No.
4973, dated May 2, 2001 (Public Works MND) as pre-graded. Additionally, the Public Works MND
noted the site has "already been assessed and mitigated as necessary with the approval of EIR 82-01
including cultural resources." The Public Works MND Checklist identified the EIR 82-01 pages 5.8-1
through 5.8-10 for all of the Cultural Resource questions. Although the current project will involve minor
cut and fill for new construction, this project is similar to the prior project in its construction and will not
have an impact on historic resources because the site was previously graded and cultural resources were
assessed and mitigated at that time.
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b) Cause a substantial adverse change in the significance of an archeological resource pursuant to
§15064.5?
No Impact. As noted in a) above, the site has been disturbed previously due to grading and as a result,
would not be expected to have intact cultural resources. Furthermore, the Public Works MND (discussed
above) states that the site has been assessed and concluded that no impacts to cultural resources would
occur. The proposed project will have similar construction to that described in the previously approved
Public Works MND. Therefore, the proposed project will have no impact.
c) Directly or indirectly destroy a unique paleontological resource or site or unique geologic
feature?
No Impact. As noted in a) above, the site is pre-graded and will have similar construction to the
previously approved Public Works MND. The proposed project will have no impact.
d) Disturb any human remains, including those interred outside of formal cemeteries?
Less Than Significant Impact. As noted in a) above, the site is pre-graded and will have similar
construction to the previously approved Public Works MND. While there is still a small but unlikely
possibility of disturbing human remains, compliance with the state Health and Safety Code Section
7050.5 will insure that no further disturbance shall occur until the County Coroner has made a
determination of origin and disposition pursuant to Public Resources Code Section 5097.98. Therefore,
the proposed project will have less than a significant impact.
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.
ii. Strong seismic ground shaking?
iii. Seismic-related ground failure, including
liquefaction?
iv. Landslides?
Potentially
Significant
Impact
Potentially
Significant
Unless
Mitigation
Incorporated
Less Than
Significant • No
Impact Impact
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b) Result in substantial soil erosion or the loss of
topsoil?
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?
d) Be located on expansive soils, as defined in
Section 1802.3.2 of the California Building
Code (2007), creating substantial risks to life or
property?
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?
Potentially
Significant
Impact
Potentially
Significant
Unless
Mitigation
Incorporated
Less Than
Significant
Impact
No
Impact
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.
ii. Strong seismic ground shaking?
iii. Seismic-related ground failure, including liquefaction?
iv. Landslides?
i, ii, iii, and iv. Less Than Significant Impact/No Impact. As discussed in the Final Master
Environmental Impact Report for the City of Carlsbad General Plan Update, March 1994 (MEIR 93-01),
there are no known active faults within Carlsbad although several regional faults exist that could cause
strong seismic activity. According to the Geotechnical Update Investigation prepared by Leighton
Consulting, Inc. (Leighton) (2008), the site is not located in an Earthquake Fault Zone. Proper
construction according to the City's Grading Ordinance, Hillside Development Ordinance, and building
codes substantially reduce the risk of structural damage and injury from ground shaking/seismic activity.
Bedrock materials at the site are not considered liquefiable due to either their high density or unsaturated
conditions. Surficial materials including undocumented fill and topsoil/colluvium are recommended for
removal and replacement with compacted engineered fill material. Properly compacted engineered fill is
not considered to be liquefiable. The geotechnical report confirms that impacts related to items a) i, ii, and
iii will be less than significant. Because of the stable terrain of the project site, there is no impact
anticipated due to landslide (item iv) (Leighton 2008).
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b) Result in substantial soil erosion or the loss of topsoil?
Less Than Significant Impact. Compliance with the City's Grading Ordinance will ensure that impacts
are less than significant.
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?
Less Than Significant Impact. See discussion in a) above. The Public Safety Element of the General
Plan requires that a qualified professional review grading plans and inspect areas of excavation to
evaluate slope stability and other geotechnical conditions that may affect site development and public
safety. The potential for landslide activity, liquefaction, subsidence and lateral spreading is considered
low according to the Geotechnical Update Investigation (Leighton 2008). The majority of the onsite soils
are expected to have a low to moderate expansion potential. However, clayey portions of the existing
topsoil/colluvium were previously tested to be highly expansive (Leighton 2008). The Geotechnical
Update Investigation recommends geotechnical observation and/or laboratory testing upon completion of
the graded pads to determine the actual expansion potential of finish grade soils on the graded building
pads. The clayey portions of the existing topsoil/colluvium should be placed at depths greater than 5 feet
below pad grade and at least 3 feet below parking/drive areas, streets and/or hardscape areas (Leighton
2008). This review along with compliance with building codes reduces the potential impacts to a less than
significant level.
d) Be located on expansive soils, as defined in Section 1802.3.2 of the California Building Code
(2007), creating substantial risks to life or property?
Less Than Significant Impact. See the discussion in c) above. The potential impacts are less than
significant.
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?
No Impact. The proposed project will use sewers and not septic tanks. No impact is identified.
VII. HAZARDS AND HAZARDOUS MATERIALS
- Would the project:
a) Create a significant hazard to the public or the
environment through the routine transport, use,
or disposal of hazardous materials?
Potentially
Significant
Impact
Potentially
Significant
Unless
Mitigation
Incorporated
Less Than
Significant
Impact
No
Impact
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b) 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?
c) Emit hazardous emissions or handle hazardous
or acutely hazardous materials, substances, or
waste within one-quarter mile of an existing or
proposed school?
d) 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?
e) 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?
f) 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?
g) Impair implementation of or physically interfere
with an adopted emergency response plan or
emergency evacuation plan?
h) 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?
Potentially
Significant
Impact
Potentially
Significant
Unless
Mitigation
Incorporated
Less Than
Significant No
Impact Impact
Would the project:
a) Create a significant hazard to the public or the environment through routine transport, use, or
disposal of hazardous materials?
Potentially Significant Unless Mitigation Incorporated. Development and operation of the proposed
project would not involve the routine use or transport of chemical agents, solvents, paints, or other
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hazardous materials beyond that which is typical of the proposed use. Routine and periodic use of
solvents and paints, as well as ammunition and fire retardant chemicals, is anticipated, and will take place
in accordance with all applicable state and federal regulations. Use of some hazardous materials may also
be associated with construction activities, as discussed below.
Project construction will involve the routine use of fuels, paints, and solvents. The amount of these
materials planned for use during construction would occur only as long as construction activities last, and
does not pose a significant hazard. However, Mitigation Measure HAZ-1, requiring the City to approve a
construction plan that addresses hazardous materials storage and use during construction, is proposed.
Compliance with Mitigation Measure HAZ-1 as outlined below will ensure that impacts from potentially
hazardous materials used during construction are reduced to less than significant levels.
The amount of chemical agents typically used for training purposes would be in compliance with existing
government regulations. Operation of the proposed facility is not anticipated to involve the routine use of
chemical agents, solvents, paints, and other hazardous materials except as incidental to the proposed uses
of the facilities. Such use would comply with all existing federal and state laws and regulations. It is
anticipated that compliance with federal and state regulations governing the use and transport of
hazardous materials will be sufficient to minimize the risk of accidental spills or exposure to facility
users, the public, and the environment. Because the proposed project would not use acutely hazardous
materials, and will comply with local, state, and federal requirements, impacts related to the use of these
materials is considered less than significant, and no additional mitigation is required.
The firing ranges that are proposed for the site present the potential of lead exposure to their users. This
potential does not extend to the public or environment as the indoor ranges' walls, roof, and air filters
contain the lead within the range. As mentioned in the Air Quality section above, Stage 3/HEPA Air
Filters will be utilized to reduce potential exposure to lead. The project will comply with the requirements
of the Division of Safety and Health or California Occupational Safety and Health Administration
(Cal/OSHA) General Industry Safety Orders, Lead Section 5198, as amended,1 which includes standards
for occupational lead exposures and requirements for the following areas: exposure limit, action level,
exposure monitoring, compliance, mechanical ventilation, respiratory protection, protective work clothing
and equipment, housekeeping, hygiene facilities and practices, medical surveillance, medical removal
protection, employee information and training, signs, and record keeping (California Department of
Health Services, 2006).
b) Create a significant hazard to the public or the environment through reasonably foreseeable
upset and accident conditions involving the release of hazardous materials into the
environment?
Potentially Significant Unless Mitigation Incorporated. As discussed above, operation of the proposed
training facility is not anticipated to involve the routine use of substantial quantities of chemical agents,
solvents, paints, and other hazardous materials. Because the proposed project would not utilize large
quantities of hazardous materials, would not utilize acutely hazardous materials, and will comply with
local, state, and federal requirements, impacts related to the accidental release of these materials is
considered less than significant. However, as discussed above, Mitigation Measure HAZ-1 has been
proposed to ensure that impacts related to the accidental release of hazardous materials during
construction are mitigated to a less than significant level.
The Cal/OSHA requirements for worker safety can be found at the following internet website:
http://www.dhs.ca.gov/ohb/OLPPP/ligi.pdf. Additional information about the potential issues of lead exposure at indoor
ranges can be found at http://www.dhs.ca.gov/ohb/OLPPP/pntblnkl.htm.
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c) Emit hazardous emissions or handle hazardous or acutely hazardous materials, substances, or
waste within one-quarter mile of an existing or proposed school?
No Impact. The proposed project site is not within one-quarter mile of an existing or proposed school.
Therefore, no impacts will occur related to this issue.
d) Be located on a site included on a list of hazardous materials sites compiled pursuant to
Government Code Section 65962.5, and as a result, would create a significant hazard to the
public or the environment?
Less Than Significant Impact. The current use of the property consists of landscaped lot with an
informal baseball field. Kimley-Horn and Associates, Inc. (Kimley-Horn) (2008) was retained to provide
an assessment of the potential for hazardous materials at the project site. Their scope of work was to
assess the likelihood of the presence of hazardous substances or petroleum products on the site and
conditions indicative of an existing release, past release or a material threat of a release that could affect
the site. As part of their study a number of governmental data bases were accessed to determine if the site
was listed; the site was not listed. While the data search indicted a number of facilities in the vicinity that
handled hazardous materials and/or petroleum products, their conclusion was that the potential for
hazardous material impacts to the site were considered less than significant. Based on the topography of
the site and surrounding areas, it appears that the only off-site facility that could have a potential effect on
the project area is the City of Carlsbad's Fleet Maintenance Facility as it is located uphill from the project
site. From observations around the site perimeter, there was no evidence of hazardous materials, such as
empty drums or stained soil. However, fuel pumps were observed at the Fleet Maintenance Facility and it
is considered possible that a hazardous material release could migrate to the project site. However, given
the absence of Leaking Underground Storage Tank (LUST) records at the Fleet Maintenance facility and
the absence of reasonably-discernible indications of hazardous material contamination on the project site,
the potential impact of the Fleet Maintenance Facility on the project site, if any, is considered less than
significant (Kimley-Horn 2008).
e) For a project located 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?
Less Than Significant Impact. The proposed project site is within about Vi mile of the McClellan-
Palomar Airport. According to The San Diego County Regional Airport Authority's Airport Land Use
Compatibility Plan (ALUCP) for the McClellan-Palomar Airport, dated October 4, 2004,2 the proposed
project is within the existing airport influence area and flight activity zone of the McClellan-Palomar
Airport. The project location is outside the 60 Community Noise Equivalent Level (CNEL) contour and
the proposed project is compatible with the Noise/Land Use Compatibility Matrix. The ALUCP does not
identify any Accident Potential Zone for the airport. Therefore, the project site is located within a zone
that has low noise and accident risk impacts.
The proposed buildings would consist of low-profile, one- to two-story structures and one four-story
structure, which would not interfere with navigable air space. The City has submitted a FAR (Federal
Administrative Regulations) Part 77, Objects Affecting Navigable Space, form to the FAA to confirm that
the project will not create an obstruction to air navigation. The FAA has responded and indicated that the
tower will not be an obstruction (Aeronautical Study No. 2008-AWP-4919-OE).
2 ALUCP McClellan-Palomar Airport, as amended October 4, 2004, located on the following internet website:
http://www.san. org/documents/aluc/Palomar%20ALUCP_rev.pdf.
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The proposed project would not be at any greater risk for safety hazards to people than other
developments in the vicinity of the project. The project plans have been submitted to the McClellan-
Palomar Airport Engineer and Assistant Manager, who have no concerns or issues regarding the project.
Project design includes downward facing sodium light fixtures to minimize lighting impacts. Theatrical
smoke associated with training exercises would dissipate rapidly under training conditions, thus having
negligible impacts on area surroundings. An interactive smoke system comprised of multiple computer
controlled smoke generators will be installed throughout the building. These are used to develop smoke
and obscurity throughout the building which would simulate a real life experience without the danger of
real smoke produced from a combustible fire source. The Smoke generators used are similar to what is
found in amusement parks and theaters. Commercial smoke machines use a non-toxic fluid that consists
of glycols, glycerin, and/or mineral oil, with varying amounts of distilled water. The glycols are heated
and forced into the atmosphere under pressure to create a fog or haze. The smoke/fog will dissipate as it
leaves the building. Therefore, impacts related to safety hazards for people living or working in the area
are considered less than significant, and no mitigation is required.
f) 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?
No Impact. The project site is not within the vicinity of a private airstrip. Therefore, the project will not
result in a safety hazard associated with private airstrips for people residing or working in the project area.
No impact is identified.
g) Impair implementation of or physically interfere with an adopted emergency response plan or
emergency evacuation plan?
Less Than Significant Impact. The proposed project will be constructed to meet the requirements of the
California Fire Marshal and the City's Fire Department. The San Diego County Office of Emergency
Services (OES) is the agency responsible for coordinating all agencies that respond to natural and
manmade disasters in San Diego County. The City of Carlsbad has an adopted Emergency Operations
Plan (EOP) (June 2003). The Carlsbad Emergency Management Administrative Team (CEMAT) is a
working committee that is responsible for making annual revisions to the City's EOP that will enhance
the conduct of response and recovery operations. CEMAT is responsible for preparing, coordinating,
publishing and distributing any necessary changes to the EOP to all City departments and other agencies,
and reviews documents that provide the legal basis for the EOP to ensure conformance with the California
Standardized Emergency Management System (SEMS). CEMAT is also responsible for coordinating and
scheduling of training and exercising the EOP to ensure emergency operations personnel is prepared to
handle emergencies efficiently. The proposed project will not result in substantial changes to local traffic
circulation patterns, either through road modifications or an increase in daily vehicle trips, and would not
interfere with evacuation routes or emergency vehicle access during an emergency. Project construction
will be confined to the area bounded by Orion Street and Orion Way and will not involve staging areas
within these streets. Therefore, emergency response access to and from existing facilities would not be
adversely affected. Impacts related to this issue are considered less than significant, and no mitigation is
required.
h) 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 residents are intermixed
with wildlands?
Less Than Significant Impact. The project site is buffered by other City facilities that are next to open
space elements that could potentially be exposed to wildland fires. The location of the project is part of
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the City's Public Safety and Public Works Facilities and located across the street from an existing fire
station. Potential impacts related to wildland fires are considered less than significant and no mitigation
measures are required.
Mitigation Measures
HAZ-1 Prior to the issuance of a grading permit, the City Engineer shall review and approve a
Construction Plan that specifies construction vehicle fueling and maintenance procedures and
designates hazardous materials storage areas to preclude the discharge of hazardous materials
(e.g., fuels, lubricants, and solvents) used during construction. The Construction Plan shall
include specific measures to preclude spills or contain hazardous materials, including proper
handling and disposal techniques and the use of impervious liners to prevent soil and water
contamination.
VIII. HYDROLOGY AND WATER QUALITY -
Would the project:
a) Violate any water quality standards or waste
discharge requirements?
b) Substantially deplete groundwater supplies or
interfere substantially with ground water
recharge 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)?
c) Substantially alter the existing drainage pattern
of the site or area, including through the
alteration of the course of a stream or river, in a
manner, which would result in substantial
erosion or siltation on- or off-site?
d) Substantially alter the existing drainage pattern
of the site or area, including through the
alteration of the 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?
Potentially
Significant
Potentially Unless
Significant Mitigation
Impact Incorporated
Less Than
Significant No
Impact Impact
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e) Create or contribute runoff water, which would
exceed the capacity of existing or planned
stormwater drainage systems or provide
substantial additional sources of polluted
runoff?
f) Otherwise substantially degrade water quality?
g) Place housing within a 100-year flood hazard
area as mapped on a Federal Flood Hazard
Boundary or Flood Insurance Rate Map or other
flood delineation map?
h) Place within 100-year flood hazard area
structures, which would impede or redirect flood
flows?
i) Expose people or structures to a significant risk
of loss, injury or death involving flooding,
including flooding as a result of the failure of a
levee or dam?
j) Inundation by seiche, tsunami, or mudflow?
Potentially
Significant
Impact
Potentially
Significant
Unless
Mitigation
Incorporated
Less Than
Significant No
Impact Impact
13
k) Increase erosion (sediment) into receiving
surface waters.
1) Increase pollutant discharges (e.g., heavy
metals, pathogens, petroleum derivatives,
synthetic organics, 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?
m) Change receiving water quality (marine, fresh or
wetland waters) during or following
construction?
n) Increase any pollutant to an already impaired
water body as listed on the Clean Water Act
Section 303(d) list?
o) Increase impervious surfaces and associated
runoff?
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Potentially
Significant
Potentially Unless Less Than
Significant Mitigation Significant No
Impact Incorporated Impact Impact
p) Impact aquatic, wetland, or riparian habitat?
q) Result in the exceedance of applicable surface
or ground water receiving water quality
objectives or degradation of beneficial uses?
a) Violate any water quality standards or waste discharge requirements?
Less Than Significant Impact. All development within the City is required to comply with National
Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) permits, which will limit erosion and siltation on- and
off-site. During final design, the applicant will be required to specify the Best Management Practices
(BMPs) that will ensure compliance with the City's NPDES requirements. The project will have less than
significant impacts.
b) Substantially deplete groundwater supplies or interfere substantially with ground water
recharge 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)?
Less Than Significant Impact. The proposed project will not substantially deplete groundwater supplies
or interfere substantially with groundwater recharge. The nature of training activities for fire fighting
requires the occasional use of high pressure water from the City municipal water supply. However, water
usage will be limited during training activities and domestic usage within the facilities will be from the
City's water distribution system provided by the Carlsbad Municipal Water District (CMWD). CMWD
currently purchases 100% of its water as treated water from the San Diego County Water Authority
(CWA), which obtains the majority of its water from the Colorado River and Northern California through
the Metropolitan Water District (MWD). Water used for training on the two fire prop facilities and
hardscape runoff will be captured and used to supplement recycled water supplies that will be used for
landscape irrigation. This water will be captured in drains, stored in an underground tank, and pumped for
irrigation as needed. In the event that a lack of training activity and/or storm events have left the captured
water reservoir dry, then all irrigation water will be taken from the CMWD recycled water supply, which
is directly available at the site. The City's Engineering Department estimates recycled water pressure at
80 pounds per square inch (psi) at the highest ground elevation on site and 87 psi at the lowest ground
elevation on site. Drainage from the car extrication area and the cul-de-sac will run through a clarifier and
will discharge directly into the sewer system and would not be used for irrigation. Therefore, impacts will
be less than significant.
c) Substantially alter the existing drainage pattern of the site or area, including through the
alteration of the course of a stream or river, in a manner, which would result in substantial
erosion or siltation on- or off-site?
d) Substantially alter the existing drainage pattern of the site or area, including through the
alteration of the 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?
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e) Create or contribute runoff water, which would exceed the capacity of existing or planned
stormwater drainage systems or provide substantial additional sources of polluted runoff?
c), d), and e) No Impact. Because of the City of Carlsbad's rapid growth (an approximate 21.6 percent
increase in population between 2000 and 2005), the City has updated its Drainage Master Plan to provide
additional facilities to accommodate storm flows from new development. In the City of Carlsbad
Drainage Master Plan Update EIR (DMP EIR), December 2007, the City's improvements to drainage
were reviewed. The proposed project will require integration into these improvements (which will be
accomplished through tying in to the existing system). The improvements to drainage facilities to limit
flooding, erosion, and siltation were noted in the DMP EIR to have long-term post-construction impacts
that would be beneficial to hydrology, drainage capacity and water quality in Carlsbad overall (page 4.9-
19 of the DMP EIR).
There are no streams or rivers on or near the site that could be affected by the project. Development of the
proposed project will result in an increase of impermeable surface and reduced landscape areas, which
would increase runoff. The increase in runoff will be accommodated by tying in to the existing storm drain
system or retaining the water on the site to ensure that off-site, downstream local properties are not
adversely affected. Therefore the proposed project will have no impact.
f) Otherwise substantially degrade water quality?
No Impact. The proposed project will not otherwise substantially degrade water quality. The proposed
project will have no impact.
g) Place housing within a 100-year flood hazard area as mapped on a Federal Flood Hazard
Boundary or Flood Insurance Rate Map or other flood delineation map?
h) Place within 100-year flood hazard area structures, which would impede or redirect flood flows?
g) and h) No Impact. The proposed project is not within the 100 year flood plain and will not impact any
100 year floodplain (Leighton 2008). The proposed project will have no impact.
i) Expose people or structures to a significant risk of loss, injury or death involving flooding,
including flooding as a result of the failure of a levee or dam?
No impact. The proposed project will not expose people or structures to a significant risk of loss, injury
or death involving flooding, including flooding as a result of the failure of a levee or dam based on its
location because the project is not located in an identified dam or levee failure inundation area (Leighton
2008). The proposed project will have no impact.
j) Inundation by seiche, tsunami, or mudflow?
No Impact. The project site is not subject to inundation by seiche, tsunami, or mudflow (Leighton 2008).
The proposed project will have no impact.
k) Increase erosion (sediment) into receiving surface waters?
I) Increase pollutant discharges (e.g., heavy metals, pathogens, petroleum derivatives, synthetic
organics, 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?
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m) Change receiving water quality (marine, fresh or wetland waters) during or following
construction?
n) Increase any pollutant to an already impaired water body as listed on the Clean Water Act
Section 303(d) list?
o) Increase impervious surfaces and associated runoff?
p) Impact aquatic, wetland, or riparian habitat?
q) Result in the exceedance of applicable surface or groundwater receiving water quality objectives
or degradation of beneficial uses?
k) through q) Less Than Significant Impact. With the project proposing firing ranges, the potential of
lead entering the environment via stormwater discharge exists unless controlled. The project design
includes provisions that the exhaust air will be filtered to minimize the discharge of lead into the
environment to a less than significant level.
No aquatic, wetland, or riparian habitat is located on the site. However, the proposed project will increase
impervious surfaces and associated runoff that has the potential to reach other habitat areas if not
contained. As discussed above, the City has updated its Drainage Master Plan to provide additional
facilities to accommodate storm flows from new development. In the City's DMP EIR, the City's
improvements to drainage were reviewed. The proposed project will require integration into these
improvements, which will be accomplished by tying in to the existing storm drain system. The
improvements to drainage facilities to limit flooding, erosion, and siltation were noted in the DMP EFR to
have long-term post-construction impacts at the program level that would be beneficial to hydrology,
drainage capacity and water quality in Carlsbad overall (page 4.9-19 of the DMP EIR). This includes
303(d) listed water bodies. Therefore the proposed project will have less than significant impacts.
IX. LAND USE AND PLANNING - Would the
project:
a) Physically divide an established community?
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?
Potentially
Significant
Potentially Unless
Significant Mitigation
Impact Incorporated
Less Than
Significant No
Impact Impact
c) Conflict with any applicable habitat
conservation plan or natural community
conservation plan?
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a) Physically divide an established community?
No Impact. The project will not divide an established community. The Project will be located within an
established Public Works and Public Safety complex; The project will have no impact.
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?
No Impact. The project is consistent with the City's zoning and land use designations. The project area is
zoned Open Space, but the proposed land use is allowed by the Zoning Code. Title 21", Zoning, allows for
public and quasi-public office buildings in open space areas as defined by 21.04.297 Public and Quasi-
Public Office Buildings and Accessory Utility Buildings and Facilities: "Public and quasi-public office
buildings and accessory utility buildings and facilities" means and includes, but is not limited to,
government office buildings and accessory utility buildings and facilities such as: water wells, water
storage, pump stations, booster stations, transmission or distribution electrical substations, operating
centers, gas metering and regulating stations, or neighboring telephone exchanges, with the necessary
apparatus or appurtenances incident thereto. Such uses do not include water, sewer or drainage pipelines
or utility buildings/facilities that are built, operated or maintained by a public utility to the extent that they
are regulated by the California Public Utilities Commission. (Ord. NS-791 § 6, 2006.) The project will
have no impact.
c) Conflict with any applicable habitat conservation plan or natural community conservation plan?
No Impact. As identified in the City's adopted Habitat Management Plan (HMP), the project site is
located within an "Urban/Disturbed" area and is not set aside or planned for conservation. Therefore, the
project will have no impact on the adopted HMP.
X. MINERAL RESOURCES - Would the project:
a) 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?
b) 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?
Potentially
Significant
Impact
Potentially
Significant
Unless
Mitigation
Incorporated
Less Than
Significant No
Impact Impact
a) 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?
Less Than Significant Impact. Per State of California Department of Conservation, California Division
of Mines and Geology, Special Report 153, Plate 8, San Luis Rey Quadrangle, Mineral Land
Classification Map Aggregate Resources Only, dated February 15, 1983, the project site is classified as
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Carlsbad Joint First Responders Training Facility
MRZ-3 ("Areas containing mineral deposits the significance of which cannot be evaluated from available
data"). Due to the existing uses on and surrounding the site, as well as the relatively small size of the
project site, it is not anticipated that development of the site for mineral resources extraction would be
feasible or economically viable. Therefore, impacts will be less than significant.
b) 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?
No Impact. The General Plan's Land Use Map does not identify any areas within Carlsbad for mineral
resource recovery. The project would have no impact on locally important mineral resources.
XI. NOISE - Would the project result in:
a) 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?
b) Exposure of persons to or generation of
excessive ground-borne vibration or ground-
borne noise levels?
c) A substantial permanent increase in ambient
noise levels in the project vicinity above levels
existing without the project?
d) A substantial temporary or periodic increase in
ambient noise levels in the project vicinity
above levels existing without the project?
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?
f) For a project within the vicinity of a private
airstrip, would the project expose people
residing or working in the project area to
excessive noise levels?
Potentially
Significant
Impact
Potentially
Significant
Unless
Mitigation
Incorporated
Less Than
Significant No
Impact Impact
a) 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?
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Carlsbad Joint First Responders Training Facility
Less Than Significant Impact. The Noise Element to the City of Carlsbad General Plan, under Land Use
- Implementing Policies and Action Programs C.5, states: "Enforce the policy of the City that sixty (60)
dBA CNEL is the exterior noise level to which all residential units should be mitigated." Therefore, this
level is the threshold of significance evaluated in the Noise Analysis Report prepared by Kimley-Horn
(July 2008).
Vehicular noise associated with the proposed project would be negligible when compared to existing
noise generated by vehicular traffic. Calculations show that the existing plus project 60 dBA CNEL noise
contour would occur along the edge of Orion Way (Kimley-Horn 2008); therefore, existing plus project
traffic noise levels at the Carlsbad Oaks North Habitat Conservation Area would be below the City
threshold. Existing plus project noise levels at the La Posada de Guadalupe de Carlsbad Shelter would be
48 dBA Leq (Kimley-Horn 2008). The project-generated noise level increase would be approximately
1 dBA and are less than significant.
Training activities would take place between the hours of 7:00 am and 10:00 pm. Outdoor activity
associated with Standard Fire Fighting Training includes noise generated by voices elevated during
command, and the noise produced from the truck pump, which would produce or increase water pressure
through the attack hose lines. Noise from voice commands would be consistent with the activities
currently occurring onsite and in the project area. Noise generated from the truck pump is estimated to be
as high as 70 dBA at 50 feet from the source. These training activities would take place near the
Residential and Commercial Burn Prop Facilities. For training (evolutions), the total time from entry to
fire suppression would be about 10 minutes. Depending on the number of personnel to be trained, these
evolutions could be repeated several times before the truck pumps were shut down.
For Multiple Company Training events, the noise and activity level would increase because there would
be two or three trucks present at the site, all performing concurrent activities as described above. These
events would be rare because of the number of resources taken offline to perform. Noise levels associated
with these events are estimated to be as high as 75 dBA at 50 feet from the activity.
Car Extrication Training normally would occur during daylight hours but occasionally at night, which is a
mandatory training component, with truck lights used for illumination. The "Jaws of Life" machinery
used to pry open the cars would be the main noise source. Noise levels associated with this machinery are
estimated to be less than 70 dBA at 50 feet from the source. These training activities would occur north of
the Residential Burn Prop Facility near the northern project boundary.
Like Car Extrication Training, Trench Rescue Training normally occurs during daylight hours but would
occasionally occur at night with truck lights once again used for illumination. The trench would be an
approximately eight feet deep and sub-grade. The training would involve noise-making activities such as •
placement of shoring devices, tripod bracing for hoisting, and the use of pneumatic tools for preparation
and ground work. Maximum noise levels associated with pneumatic tools are estimated to be as high as
70 dBA at 50 feet from the activity. Trench Rescue Training activities would take place near the northeast
cul-de-sac near the eastern project boundary.
Driver's Training on the open rodeo grounds located in the northwest portion of the site would involve
slow maneuvers on a course with a maximum speed of approximately 10 mph. Because the vehicles
would be moving so slowly, noise associated with these operations would be negligible. To allow
optimum visibility, the Driver's Training almost always would be performed during the daylight hours.
Acoustical calculations were performed to estimate sound level from training activity at the La Posada de
Guadalupe de Carlsbad Shelter, based on a worst-case line-of-sight assumption with no intervening
structures. Line of sight training activity noise levels at the La Posada de Guadalupe de Carlsbad Shelter
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Carlsbad Joint First Responders Training Facility
and at the Carlsbad Oaks North Habitat Conservation Area would result in a noise level of approximately
56 dBA and 60 dBA respectively. However, some noise attenuation is expected to occur from elevation
changes, intervening structures and the 6-foot wall proposed along the site perimeter, which would reduce
the noise by at least 15 dBA. Therefore, sound levels would be expected to be lower than the City
threshold at these locations, and outdoor training activity noise impacts from the project would be less
than significant.
Indoor training activities include an indoor shooting range that will generate sound anticipated to be in the
mid 50s dBA. However, a recommended project design feature includes duct silencers for the HVAC and
supply and exhaust fans, which will reduce exit noise to less than 45 dBA to ensure inaudibility and
ensure a less than significant impact due to indoor training activities.
Facility users (fire and police personnel) will be required to comply with the applicable provisions of
Cal/OSHA regulations. Their conformance with these regulations is anticipated to include wearing
hearing protection devices during noise-intensive use (e.g., firing practice), and will ensure that noise
impacts to facility users are not significant.
Construction activities at the proposed site would result in a short-term, temporary increase in the ambient
noise level, primarily experienced close to the noise source. The magnitude of the impact would depend
on the type of construction activity, noise level generated by various pieces of construction equipment,
duration of the construction phase, and distance between the noise source and receiver. Sound levels of
typical construction equipment range from approximately 65 dBA to 90 dBA at 50 feet from the source
(Kimley-Horn 2008).
This project would implement conventional construction techniques and equipment. Standard equipment
such as scrapers, graders, backhoes, loaders, tractors, cranes, and miscellaneous trucks would be used for
construction of most project facilities. Specialized construction activities such as pile driving and blasting
are not anticipated for this project. Construction activity and delivery of construction materials and
equipment would be limited to the hours between 7:00 a.m. and 7:00 p.m.
A construction phasing plan has not been developed at this time; therefore, only a general estimate of
construction noise levels can be provided. Acoustical calculations were performed to estimate the sound
levels associated with construction operations at the La Posada de Guadalupe de Carlsbad Shelter and at
the Carlsbad Oaks North Habitat Conservation Area as described for training activities.
Line of sight construction noise at the La Posada de Guadalupe de Carlsbad Shelter and at the Carlsbad
Oaks North Habitat Conservation Area would result in a noise level ranging from approximately 46 to
71 dBA and 49 to 74 dBA respectively. Noise attenuation resulting from elevation changes and
intervening structures would reduce the noise by at least 15 dBA. Therefore, sound levels would be
expected to be less than the City threshold at these locations, and construction noise impacts from the
project will be less than significant.
The project construction and operation will not add a new noise source to the project area that exceeds the
established standard for noise levels in the City of Carlsbad for identified sensitive receptors at the La
Posada de Guadalupe de Carlsbad Shelter or Carlsbad Oaks North Habitat Conservation Area. Therefore,
impacts will be less than significant.
b) Exposure of persons to or generation of excessive ground-borne vibration or ground-borne noise
levels?
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No Impact. Upon review of the project design and construction plans, the professional opinion of the
noise consultant, Kimley-Horn, is that the proposed project will not generate ground-borne vibrations.
Therefore, no impacts due to excessive ground-borne vibrations are expected (Kimley-Horn, personal
communication, July 2008).
c) A substantial permanent increase in ambient noise levels in the project vicinity above levels
existing without the project?
Less Than Significant Impact. The project will not result in a substantial permanent increase in ambient
noise levels in the project vicinity above levels existing without the project. A series of short (30-minute)
sound level measurements were conducted at four different locations (ML1, -2, -3 and -4) to quantify the
existing noise environment. ML1 is located 30 feet north of the Orion Way centerline and 305 feet east of
the Orion Street centerline near the southern boundary of the project. ML2 is located at the Carlsbad Oaks
North Habitat Conservation Area approximately 270 feet southwest of the project site. ML3 is located
42 feet south of the Orion Street centerline and 45 feet east of the centerline of Orion Way. ML4 is
located at La Posada de Guadalupe de Carlsbad Shelter approximately 445 feet northwest of the project
site. Existing noise levels from the four different locations were measured as 55.7, 56.6, 57.5, and
54.7 dBA Leq. As stated above in a), operational impacts would result in noise levels that would be
attenuated by elevation changes, intervening structures and the 6-foot wall proposed along the site
perimeter, and will remain below the City's threshold (Kimley-Horn 2008). Therefore, impacts will be
less than significant.
d) A substantial temporary or periodic increase in ambient noise levels in the project vicinity above
levels existing without the project?
Less Than Significant Impact. As stated in a) above, construction activities at the proposed site would
result in a short-term, temporary increase in the single-event noise levels. Line of sight construction noise
at the La Posada de Guadalupe de Carlsbad Shelter and at the Carlsbad Oaks North Habitat Conservation
Area would result in single-event noise levels ranging from approximately 46 to 71 dBA and 49 to 74
dBA respectively. Noise attenuation resulting from elevation changes and intervening structures would
reduce the noise by at least 15 dBA. Therefore, sound levels would be expected to be lower than the City
threshold at these locations. Construction noise impacts from the project are less than significant. As
stated in a) above, permanent operational impacts will also be below the City threshold and impacts will
be less than significant.
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?
Less Than Significant Impact. The project is in the vicinity of San Diego County McClellan-Palomar
Airport, which is located to the southwest. McClellan-Palomar is a general aviation airport in the City of
Carlsbad approximately '/2 mile southwest of the site. Airport noise levels are below 60 dBA CNEL at the
project site (Kimley-Horn 2008) and therefore do not exceed established standards. Impacts will be less
than significant.
f) For a project within the vicinity of a private airstrip, would the project expose people residing or
working in the project area to excessive noise levels?
No Impact. The project is not within the vicinity of a private airstrip. No impact is identified.
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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)?
b) Displace substantial numbers of existing
housing, necessitating the construction of
replacement housing elsewhere?
c) Displace substantial numbers of people,
necessitating the construction of replacement
housing elsewhere?
Potentially
Significant
Impact
Potentially
Significant
Unless
Mitigation
Incorporated
Less Than
Significant No
Impact Impact
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)?
No Impact. The proposed project would provide office space to existing City staff and provide a training
facility to existing public safety personnel. The project will not induce an increase in population or
growth. The project will have no impact.
b) Displace substantial numbers of existing housing, necessitating the construction of replacement
housing elsewhere?
c) Displace substantial numbers of people, necessitating the construction of replacement housing
elsewhere?
b) and c) No Impact. The proposed project will not displace any existing housing or people. The project
will have no impact.
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Carlsbad Joint First Responders Training Facility
XIII. 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?
Potentially
Significant
Impact
Potentially
Significant
Unless
Mitigation
Incorporated
Less Than
Significant No
Impact Impact
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?
i) and ii) No Impact. The project is for fire and police department use. No substantial adverse impacts
have been identified with the project. This project will not require any additional facilities. The project
will have no impact.
iii) No Impact. The project will support the existing fire and police departments. This project will not
result in the need for additional schools. The project will have no impact.
iv) Less Than Significant Impact. The project site contains a ball field that was previously removed
from the City's Parks and Recreation Element. Suitable mitigation consisting of the construction of a
replacement field was provided for its removal. A more detailed discussion is in the Recreation Section of
this document. The previous approvals and replacement facilities are sufficient to ensure that the current
proposed project would have less than significant impacts.
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Carlsbad Joint First Responders Training Facility
v) No Impact. The project will not require the construction of additional public facilities. The project will
have no impact.
Potentially
Significant
Potentially Unless Less Than
Significant Mitigation Significant No
Impact Incorporated Impact Impact
XIV. RECREATION
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?
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?
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?
Less Than Significant Impact. The construction of the proposed project will require the removal of the
existing ball field area on the site and, therefore, may increase the use of other facilities. In 1982 the City
acquired the 26 acre Safety Center site from the County of San Diego and was intended to be developed
as a public services complex in the geographical center of the service area. In late 1986, the Safety Center
was completed to include the Safety Center and Fleet Maintenance complex (CUP 262). The project
included temporarily converting over 2 acres of the site encircled by Orion Street to ball fields to support
recreational activities until such time as the phase II project (Public Works Center) could be completed. In
1994 the Safety Center ball fields were included in an inventory of special use areas identified and
included in the revised General Plan, Parks and Recreation Element.
In April 1988 Fire Station #5 (CUP 88-06) was approved and constructed at the corner of Orion Street
and Orion Way. In May 2001, the Public Works Center (CUP 01-02) was approved but never constructed.
The project included the construction of a parking lot on the ball field. In 1994, as part of the City's
General Plan Update, the ball field was added to the parks inventory for the NE Quadrant by Parks and
Recreation staff. In 1998, the City constructed a skateboard park (CUP 98-05) at the Safety Center which
was added to the parks inventory. As mentioned above, construction of the proposed Public Works Center
would necessitate the removal of the ball field. The Parks and Recreation Element require each quadrant
to provide the appropriate acreage in relation to its residential population. The Performance Standards
require 3 acres of Community Park or Special Use Area per 1,000 population, per park district area.
Because the ball field is included in the Parks inventory for the NE Quadrant, the removal of this park
would require another park in equal size to be located in the NE Quadrant to ensure compliance with
Growth Management at buildout.
In April 2001 an interim ball field was approved (CUP 01-01) on a portion of the future Zone 5 Industrial
Park located at the southeast corner of Camino Hills Drive and Faraday Avenue, which provided for an
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Carlsbad Joint First Responders Training Facility
interim ball field due to the planned loss of the Safety Center ball field. The interim ball field will remain
until the future development and improvement of the Zone 5 Industrial Park.
Also in April 2001, a General Plan Amendment (GPA 00-08) was approved to: 1) remove the Safety
Center ball field from the parks inventory; 2) add the Skateboard Park to the parks inventory; and 3) add a
Zone 14 "floating" park designation to meet Growth Management standards for the NE Quadrant at build
out. The "floating" park designation means the location of the park was not specified but the ultimate
location must be within the Zone 14 boundaries. The City has since identified a 14-acre parcel in the
Robertson Ranch development to replace the "floating" park and acquired the property for use as a
permanent park facility in early 2008. However, as mentioned previously, the Public Works Center was
never constructed and therefore the ball field is still located at the Safety Center.
The proposed First Responders Training Facility will necessitate removal of the ball field. However, as
noted above, the ball field has been replaced in the parks inventory with an interim park in Zone 5 and a
park in Zone 14. City staff proposed and the Council approved to mitigate the removal of the ball field by
providing the interim facility. The Council approved the Specific Plan Amendment to specifically
designate Lot 96 of the Carlsbad Research Center as a City park site. The replacement field is a part of the
larger parcel that is the future Zone 5 Park site. The ball field at Lot 96 has been constructed and is
currently in operation. Therefore, the previous approvals and replacement facilities ensure that the current
proposed project would have less than significant impacts.
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?
No Impact. The proposed project does not include or require recreational facilities and has no impact.
Potentially
Significant
Potentially Unless Less Than
Significant Mitigation Significant No
Impact Incorporated Impact Impact
XV. TRANSPORTATION/TRAFFIC - Would the
project:
a) Cause an increase in traffic, which is substantial
in relation to the existing traffic 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?
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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)?
Potentially
Significant
Impact
Potentially
Significant
Unless
Mitigation
Incorporated
Less Than
Significant No
Impact Impact
a) Cause an increase in traffic, which is substantial in relation to the existing traffic 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)?
Less Than Significant Impact. The project will generate 274 Average Daily Trips (ADT) and 162 peak
hour trips according to the circulation memo prepared by LSA (2008b). This traffic is expected to use the
following roadways: El Camino Real, Orion Street, Faraday Avenue, Cougar Drive, Palmer Way, and
Impala Drive. Existing traffic in the project area as analyzed at the intersections noted in Table C flows at
a high of Level of Service (LOS) A and a low of LOS C. The Intersection Capacity Utilization (ICU)
declines fractionally with implementation of the project and LOS is not adversely affected (see also
Tables D and E for immediate vicinity of project). While the increase in traffic from the proposed project
may be slightly noticeable, the street system has been designed and sized to accommodate traffic from the
project and cumulative development in the City of Carlsbad. The following tables show the changes that
are anticipated to occur based on traffic calculations.
Table C: Existing Plus Project Intersection Level of Service Summary
Intersection
1 . El Camino Real/Faraday
Avenue
2. Orion Street/Faraday Avenue
3. El Camino Real/Cougar Drive1
Existing
AM Peak Hour
ICU/
Delay
0.73
0.41
17.5 sec
LOS
C
A
C
PM Peak Hour
ICU/
Delay
0.78
0.40
19.6 sec
LOS
C
A
C
Existing Plus Project
AM Peak Hour
ICU/
Delay
0.74
0.46
17.7
sec
LOS
C
A
C
PM Peak Hour
ICU/
Delay
0.79
0.41
20.6 sec
LOS
C
A
C
Source: LSA Associates, Inc., July 2008.
1 One-way stop-controlled intersection
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Table D: Existing
Roadway
Segment
Orion Street
(between Orion
Way loop)
Roadway Level of Service Summary
Direction
NB
SB
Lane(s)
1
1
Capacity
1,800
1,800
Existing
A.M Peak Hour
Volume
32
16
V/C1
0.02
0.01
LOS
A
A
P.M. Peak Hour
Volume
11
104
V/C
0.01
0.06
LOS
A
A
Source: LSA Associates, Inc., July 2008.
1 V/C: Volume to Capacity Ratio.
Table E: Existing Plus Project Roadway Level of Service Summary
Roadway
Segment
Orion Street
(between Orion
Way loop)
Direction
NB
SB
Lane(s)
1
1
Capacity
1,800
1,800
Existing Plus Project1
A.M Peak Hour
Volume
112
33
V/C2
0.06
0.02
LOS
A
A
P.M. Peak Hour
Volume
37
143
V/C
0.02
0.08
LOS
A
A
Source: LSA Associates, Inc., July 2008.
1 Plus project scenario traffic volumes are based on Carlsbad Fire Department and Police Department traffic estimates.
2 V/C: Volume to Capacity Ratio.
The proposed project would not, therefore, cause an increase in traffic that is substantial in relation to the
existing traffic load and capacity of the street system. The impacts from the proposed project are,
therefore, less than significant.
b) Exceed, either individually or cumulatively, a level of service standard established by the county
congestion management agency for designated roads or highways?
No Impact. SANDAG, acting as the County Congestion Management Agency, has designated three
roads (Rancho Santa Fe Road, El Camino Real and Palomar Airport Road) and one highway segment in
Carlsbad as part of the regional circulation system. The existing LOS on these designated roads and
highway in Carlsbad are as follows:
LOS
Rancho Santa Fe Road A-D
El Camino Real A-D
Palomar Airport Road A-D
State Route 78 F
The Congestion Management Program's (CMP) acceptable LOS standard is E, or LOS F if that was the
LOS in the 1990 base year (e.g., State Route 78 in Carlsbad was LOS "F" in 1990). Accordingly, all
designated roads and State Route 78 are currently operating at or better than the acceptable standard LOS.
Achievement of the CMP acceptable LOS "E" standard assumes implementation of the adopted CMP
strategies. Based on the design capacities of the designated roads and highway and implementation of the
CMP strategies, they will function at acceptable levels of service in the short-term and at buildout.
El Camino Real is the only road in the project area that is a designated part of the regional circulation
system. Both intersections on El Camino Real that were analyzed would maintain an LOS of C with
implementation of the project. Therefore, the project will have no impact.
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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?
No Impact. The proposed project does not include any aviation components. The project is consistent
with the Comprehensive Land Use Plan for the McClellan-Palomar Airport. It would not, therefore, result
in a change of air traffic patterns or result 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)?
No Impact. All project circulation improvements will be designed and constructed to City standards; and,
therefore, would not result in design hazards. The proposed project is consistent with the City's General
Plan and zoning. Therefore, it would not increase hazards due to an incompatible use. No impact will
occur.
e) Result in inadequate emergency access?
No Impact. The proposed project has been designed to satisfy the emergency requirements of the Fire
and Police Departments. Construction of the project would occur within the site and construction traffic
will be staged such that it would not interfere with movement along Orion Street or Orion Way. No
impact will occur.
f) Result in insufficient parking capacity?
No Impact. The project site is contiguous with the existing Public Safety Center site. Most users of the
new Joint First Responders Training Facility are currently employed at the existing Public Safety Center
where they utilize provided parking. The parking at the existing facilities will be used to serve the new
facility and the on-site employees will walk across the street for access. In addition, a total of forty-two
(42) parking stalls are provided for this project for use by the public and users of the training facility. Fire
Department staff from outlying locations that use the new facility will drive departmental vehicles or fire
apparatus and park within the facility. In the event that special public or unanticipated large events are
held at the facility, the large paved Rodeo/Drill grounds could be used for overflow parking. No impact
will occur.
g) Conflict with adopted policies, plans, or programs supporting alternative transportation (e.g.,
bus turn-outs, bicycle racks)?
No Impact. The proposed project will not conflict with or remove any established facilities or programs
supporting alternative transportation. No impacts are identified.
. Potentially
Significant
Potentially Unless Less Than
Significant Mitigation Significant No
Impact Incorporated Impact Impact
XVI. UTILITIES AND SERVICES SYSTEMS -
Would the project:
a) Exceed wastewater treatment requirements of
the applicable Regional Water Quality Control
Board?
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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?
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?
f) Be served by a landfill with sufficient permitted
capacity to accommodate the project's solid
waste disposal needs?
g) Comply with federal, state, and local statutes
and regulations related to solid waste?
Potentially
Significant
Impact
Potentially
Significant
Unless
Mitigation
Incorporated
Less Than
Significant
Impact
No
Impact
D
a) Exceed wastewater treatment requirements of the applicable Regional Water Quality Control
Board?
No Impact. The project does not propose to treat any wastewater or discharge any water other than to
local collection systems. The project will comply with NPDES permit requirements. Therefore, it will
have no impact.
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.
Less Than Significant Impact. The project will produce typical amounts of wastewater and require
typical amounts of water for the proposed type of facility. Water used for training on the two fire prop
facilities and hardscape runoff will be captured and used to supplement recycled water supplies that will
be used for landscape irrigation. This water will be captured in drains, stored in an underground tank, and
pumped for irrigation as needed. In the event that a lack of training activity and/or storm events have left
the captured water reservoir dry, then all irrigation water will be taken from the CMWD recycled water
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supply, which is directly available at the site. The City's Engineering Department estimates recycled
water pressure at 80 pounds per square inch (psi) at the highest ground elevation on site and 87 psi at the
lowest ground elevation on site. Drainage from the car extrication area and the cul-de-sac will run through
a clarifier and will discharge directly into the sewer system and would not be used for irrigation. Service
connections are the only anticipated changes required. Therefore, impacts will be less than significant.
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?
Less Than Significant Impact. No changes are anticipated other than on-site facilities and connection to
stormwater sewers. Impacts will be less than significant.
d) Have sufficient water supplies available to serve the project from existing entitlements and
resources, or are new or expanded entitlements needed?
Less Than Significant Impact. As stated in b), typical quantities of water usage are anticipated, which
will be provided by the Carlsbad Municipal Water District. Additionally, the new facility will allow
training to occur at this site instead of other locations (Note: some training currently occurs outside of the
City, but the anticipated difference in water usage is not significant.) Impacts will be less than significant.
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?
Less Than Significant Impact. Like water, typical quantities of wastewater generation are anticipated.
The new facility will allow the training to occur at this site instead of other locations (Note: some training
currently occurs outside of the City, but the anticipated difference in waste water treatment is not
significant.) Impacts will be less than significant.
f) Be served by a landfill with sufficient permitted capacity to accommodate the project's solid
waste disposal needs?
Less Than Significant Impact. The project will produce typical quantities of waste. The office waste
associated with the fire administration uses is already generated by existing fire administration office
areas, and is unlikely to be substantially increased as a result of the change in location. It can be expected
that training activities will result in a small increase in waste materials. Impacts will be less than
significant.
g) Comply with federal, state, and local statutes and regulations related to solid waste?
Less Than Significant Impact. The City will comply with statutes and regulations related to solid waste.
The indoor firing range can be expected to produce lead wastes that will be hazardous waste; these wastes
will require compliance with federal and state statutes. These wastes, when properly handled, will have
minimal risks to the population and environment. Impacts will be less than significant.
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Potentially
Significant
Impact
Potentially
Significant
Unless
Mitigation
Incorporated
Less Than
Significant No
Impact Impact
XVII. MANDATORY FINDINGS OF
SIGNIFICANCE
a) Does the project have the potential to degrade
the quality of the environment, substantially
reduce 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 cause substantial adverse effects on
human beings, either directly or indirectly?
a) Does the project have the potential to degrade the quality of the environment, substantially
reduce 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?
Less than Significant. The project has no potential impact to these resources other than discussed above.
Impacts will be less than significant.
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?)
Less than Significant. The project's incremental effects are not anticipated to contribute substantially to
cumulatively considerable impacts. Cumulative projects include the past and proposed future
development of Public Works and Public Safety facilities in the vicinity of the project, the past
development of the skate park facility near the project, and the extension of Faraday Avenue, south of the
project site. In addition, development as a result of build-out in accordance with the City's General Plan is
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anticipated throughout the region, which will contribute cumulative effects related to air quality, noise,
and traffic during construction and operation. The air quality and noise impact analyses for the proposed
project incorporated the ambient and projected ambient air quality and noise levels, and the traffic
analysis evaluated the project in terms of overall roadway capacity and current (cumulative) vehicle trip
levels.
In consideration of the localized nature of project impacts (if any), the project is not anticipated to
contribute to cumulative impacts with respect to aesthetics, biological resources, cultural resources,
hazards and hazardous materials, hydrology and water quality, land use and planning, mineral resources,
population and housing, public services, recreation, or utilities and service systems.
The project proponents are using energy efficiency practices such as maximizing the use of natural day
lighting through large expanses of glazing in the various office and circulation spaces, properly shading
these spaces by either vertical or horizontal devices, depending on the buildings' orientation. Energy
efficient light fixtures will be used to provide direct and indirect lighting over the classrooms, offices and
hallways as well.
Global climate change may result in significant adverse effects to the environment that will be
experienced worldwide, with some specific effects felt in California. California Assembly Bill AB 32
requires statewide GHG emissions reductions to 1990 levels by 2020. Though these statewide reductions
are now mandated by law, no generally applicable GHG emission threshold has been established yet, and
guidance on global climate change analysis in CEQA documents will not be available until mid-2009.
State CEQA Guidelines Section 15064(b) provides that the "determination of whether a project may have
a significant effect on the environment calls for careful judgment on the part of the public agency
involved, based to the extent possible on scientific and factual data," and, further, that an "ironclad
definition of significant effect is not always possible because the significance of an activity may vary with
the setting." The state CEQA Guidelines indicate that even when thresholds are established, they may
include "identifiable quantitative, qualitative or performance level of a particular environmental effect"
(state CEQA Guidelines, Section 15064.7).
Some suggest that a zero-emissions threshold would be appropriate in a climate change analysis;
however, most believe that this would stop all progress and interfere with the ability of the economy to
function. Further, prior CEQA case law makes clear that the "one additional molecule" rule is not
consistent with CEQA (Communities for a Better Environment v. California Resources Agency, 103 Cal.
App. 4th 98 [2002]). Such a rule also appears inconsistent with the state's approach to mitigation of
climate change impacts. AB 32 does not prohibit all new GHG emissions; rather, it requires a reduction in
statewide emissions to a given level. Thus, AB 32 recognizes that GHG emissions will continue to occur.
The California Air Pollution Control Officers Association (CAPCOA) recently published a White Paper
(January 2008) that explored several options for setting numeric, non-zero thresholds. The White Paper
acknowledges medium to high uncertainty as to each potential numeric threshold due to the uncertainty
associated with the effectiveness of AB 32 implementation overall, the new character of GHG reduction
strategies on a project basis, the immaturity of GHG reduction technologies or .infrastructure (such as
widespread biodiesel availability), and the uncertainty of GHG reduction effectiveness of certain
technologies (such as scientific debate concerning the relative lifecycle GHG emissions of certain
biofuels, for example) (page 54).
When applied to residential examples, the thresholds discussed would range from approximately 50
single-family dwelling units to 2,600 residential units as screening thresholds; commercial thresholds
would rely on square footage. Application of those thresholds, however, may first require enactment of a
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Carlsbad Joint First Responders Training Facility
specific Climate Action Plan in a General Plan or other large-scale policy document. Based on the above,
none of the potential numeric thresholds would be appropriate for application to this project. Thus, for the
purposes of analyzing this project, and consistent with one of the CAPCOA's identified approaches to
climate change analysis, the potential climate change impacts are analyzed without setting a specific
threshold.
Climate change is a global environmental problem; therefore, the Air Quality Analysis (LSA 2008a)
addresses climate change as a cumulative impact. To the extent possible, it assesses potential sources of
GHG emissions from the project and quantifies those emissions.
Bearing in mind that CEQA does not require "perfection" but instead "adequacy, completeness, and a
good faith effort at full disclosure," the analysis is based on methodologies and information available at
the time the study was prepared. Current estimates of future GHG emissions do not account for changes
in technology that may reduce such emissions; therefore, the estimates are based on past performance and
represent a scenario worse than that likely to be encountered. Additionally, as explained in greater detail
below, many uncertainties exist regarding the precise relationship between specific levels of GHG
emissions and the ultimate impact on global climate. Significant uncertainties also exist regarding the
reduction potential of potential mitigation strategies. Thus, while information is presented below to assist
the public and the City's decision makers to understand the project's potential contribution to global
climate change impacts, the information available to the City is not sufficiently detailed to allow a direct
comparison between particular project characteristics and particular climate change impacts, or between
any particular proposed mitigation measure and any reduction in climate change impacts.
Because no applicable numeric thresholds have been defined yet, and because the precise causal link
between an individual project's emissions and global climate change has not been developed, the analysis
also identifies qualitative factors to determine whether this project's emissions should be considered
"cumulatively considerable." Some of those qualitative factors compare the proposed project to potential
"business as usual" conditions. Such comparison is appropriate in the case of this climate change analysis
because the statewide GHG reduction strategy involves reducing future emissions compared to future
emissions under a "business as usual" scenario. Until the City or another regulatory agency devises a
generally applicable climate change threshold, the analysis used in this study may or may not be
applicable to other City projects.
The project will generate emissions of GHG primarily in the form of vehicle exhaust and in the
consumption of electricity and natural gas for heating. The emissions from vehicle exhaust are controlled
by the state and federal governments and are outside the control of this project. Emissions from building
heating systems will be minimized by compliance with state Title 24 regulations for building energy
efficiency. Emissions from electricity production will occur at nearby power plants. The project is being
designed to accommodate photovoltaic panels on the roof of the 25- and 100-yard shooting ranges. The
panels may be installed in phases or at a later time, depending on costs.
During construction, as shown in Table F, up to 2,300 Ibs/day of CO2 will be generated. Once completed,
the proposed land uses will generate emissions as shown in Table F, using emissions factors from the
federal Department of Energy developed for the state of California.
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Table F: Greenhouse Gas Emissions
Emission Source
Vehicles
Electricity Production
Natural Gas Combustion
Total Annual Emissions
Emissions (tons per year)
C02
370
260
530
1,200
CH4
0.026
0.0028
0.01
0.039
N2O
0.039
0.0016
0.0096
0.05
CO2e
380
260
530
1,200
Source: LSA Associates, Inc., June 2008
Note: Numbers in table may not appear to add up correctly due to rounding of all numbers to two significant digits.
Due to the global nature of this phenomenon and the scale of the emissions, total emissions are expressed
in units of teragrams (a trillion [1012] grams or 1 million metric tons [tonnes]) per year (Tg/year). This is
the standard metric unit used worldwide. The total annual emissions of 1,200 tons/year of CO2e is
approximately 0.0011 million metric tonnes of CO2e.
Due to the many uncertainties of the effects of increased GHG concentrations, there are no federal, state,
or local emissions thresholds established for GHGs such as CC>2. As a comparison, the existing emissions
from the entire San Diego region are estimated to be approximately 40 million metric tonnes of CO2e per
year and approximately 496.95 million metric tonnes of CO2e per year for the entire state.
As described above, project-related GHG emissions are not confined to a particular air basin but are
dispersed worldwide. Consequently, it is speculative to determine how project-related GHG emissions
would contribute to global climate change and how global climate change may impact California.
Therefore, project-related GHG emissions are not project-specific impacts to global warming but are
instead the project's contribution to this cumulative impact. Project-related CO2 emissions and their
contribution to global climate change impacts in the state of California are expected to be less than
significant and less than cumulatively considerable because: (1) the project's impacts alone would not
cause or significantly contribute to global climate change, and (2) the net increase in air pollutant
emissions would not exceed the County thresholds for criteria pollutants.
c) Does the project have environmental effects, which will cause substantial adverse effects on
human beings, either directly or indirectly?
No Impact. The project will have no substantial adverse effects on human beings. No impact is
identified.
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XVIII. EARLIER ANALYSES
Earlier analyses may be used where, pursuant to the tiering, program EER, or other California
Environmental Quality Act (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 on attached sheets:
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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EARLIER ANALYSIS USED AND SUPPORTING INFORMATION SOURCES
The following documents were used in the analysis of the proposed project and are on file in the City of
Carlsbad Planning Department located at 1635 Faraday Avenue, Carlsbad, California, 92008:
1. City of Carlsbad. 2007. Drainage Master Plan Update EIR. December 2007.
2. City of Carlsbad Planning Department. 1994. Carlsbad General Plan, March 1994.
3. City of Carlsbad. 1994. Final Master Environmental Impact Report for the City of Carlsbad
General Plan Update (MEIR 93-01). March 1994.
4. City of Carlsbad. 2001. Mitigated Negative Declaration to Construct and Operate the Public
Works Center at the City's Safety Center. Resolution No. 4973. May 2, 2001.
5. City of Carlsbad. 2004. Habitat Management Plan for Natural Communities in the City of
Carlsbad. Final approval dated November 2004.
6. City of Carlsbad. 2008. City of Carlsbad Municipal Code, Title 21 Zoning as updated.
7. City of Carlsbad. 2008. City of Carlsbad Municipal Code, Title 11 Public Property, Chapter
11.12, Trees and Shrubs as updated.
8. County of San Diego. 2004. San Diego County Regional Airport Authority Airport Land Use
Compatibility Plan (ALUCP) for the McClellan-Palomar Airport. October 4, 2004.
9. Kimley-Horn and Associates. 2008. City of Carlsbad, First Responder Site Limited Hazardous
Materials Assessment. May 7, 2008.
10. Leighton Consulting, Inc. 2008. Geotechnical Update Investigation, Proposed Carlsbad First
Responder's Joint Use Training Facility. July 21, 2008.
11. LSA Associates, Inc. 2008a. Air Quality Analysis, Carlsbad Joint First Responders Training
Facility, Carlsbad, California. June 2008.
12. LSA Associates, Inc. 2008b. Memorandum Re: Circulation Analysis for Joint First Responders
Training Facility in the City of Carlsbad. July 31, 2008.
13. RRM Design Group, Inc. 2008. Memorandum Re: Use of HEPA Filtration in Indoor Police
Firing Range. May 14, 2008.
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LIST OF MITIGATING MEASURES (IF APPLICABLE')
No tiered mitigation measures are cited in this document.
AES-1 Prior to any grading or construction activities, the City Engineer shall review and approve the
grading plans for consistency with existing Public Safety and Public Works facilities in the
area.
AES-2 Prior to any grading or construction activities, the City Landscape Consultant shall review the
landscape plans for consistency with the City Landscape Manual and existing Public Safety
and Public Works facilities in the area.
AES-3 Prior to issuance of a building permit, a detailed lighting plan shall be reviewed and approved
by the Planning Director. The lighting plan shall include specifications indicating that all
lighting fixtures have been designed to include shades or hoods, directional lenses, or other
techniques to minimize light spillover onto adjacent and nearby properties and reflection into
the night sky. Fixtures shall include directional light mounts and non-glare hoods to reduce
the potential light and glare impacts on surrounding properties.
AIR-1 The project would involve short-term emissions associated with grading and construction. In
accordance with Policy C.6 of the City's General Plan, construction control measures in San
Diego County's CEQA guidelines, and to ensure compliance with SDAPCD Rules 50
(Visible Emissions) and 51 (Nuisance), the following measures listed will apply to the project
and will reduce air pollutant emissions associated with project construction activities.
Furthermore, certain equipment/vehicles powered by diesel engines would have to meet the
applicable Airborne Toxics Control Measures (ATCMs) for control of diesel PM in the
exhaust (e.g. ATCMs for Portable Diesel Engines, Heavy-Duty Diesel Trucks Operated by
Utilities, Off-Road Diesel Vehicles, and Commercial Diesel Vehicle Idling) that are in effect
during the implementation of the project.
a. Subject to approval by the City Engineer, the construction contractor shall select the
construction equipment used on site based on low emission factors and high energy
efficiency. The construction contractor shall ensure that construction grading plans
include a statement that all construction equipment will be tuned and maintained in
accordance with the manufacturer's specifications.
b. Subject to approval by the City Engineer, the construction contractor shall ensure that
construction grading plans include a statement that work crews will shut off equipment
when not in use.
c. Subject to approval by the City Engineer, the construction contractor shall time the
construction activities so as not to interfere with peak hour traffic, and to minimize
obstruction of through traffic lanes adjacent to the site; if necessary, a flagperson shall be
retained to maintain safety adjacent to existing roadways.
d. Subject to approval by the City Engineer, the construction contractor shall support and
encourage ridesharing and transit incentives for the construction crew.
AIR-2 Subject to approval by the City Landscape Consultant, portions of the construction site to
remain inactive longer than a period of three months shall be seeded and watered until the
appropriate ground cover is grown in accordance with the Landscape Manual Section FV-E,
Slope Revegetation/Erosion Control Policies and Requirements.
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AIR-3 To minimize construction-related air quality impacts, the construction contractor shall ensure
that the following measures are observed:
a. All active portions of the construction site shall be watered a minimum of twice daily,
more when needed due to dry or windy conditions, to prevent excessive amounts of dust.
b. On-site vehicle speed shall be limited to 15 mph.
c. All on-site roads shall be paved as soon as feasible or watered periodically or chemically
stabilized.
d. All material excavated or graded shall be sufficiently watered to prevent excessive
amounts of dust. Watering, with complete coverage, shall occur at least twice daily,
preferably in the late morning and after work is done for the day.
e. All clearing, grading, earth moving, or excavation activities shall cease during periods of
high winds (i.e., greater than 25 mph averaged over one hour).
f. All material transported off site shall be either sufficiently watered or securely covered to
prevent excessive amounts of dust.
g. The area disturbed by clearing, grading, earth moving, or excavation operations shall be
minimized at all times.
h. Portable engines will be registered under the Statewide Portable Equipment Registration
Program (PERP) and will meet applicable emissions requirements.
AIR-4 To reduce the regional air quality impacts, the City Landscape Consultant shall determine trees to
be planted to provide shade and shadow to buildings,
AIR-5 To reduce the regional air quality impacts, the additional following features will be implemented
as part of the project and subject to review and approval by the Building Official:
a. Central water heater for the buildings shall be provided,
b. Double-paned glass or window treatment for energy conservation shall be used in all
exterior windows,
c. Energy efficient low-sodium parking lot lights shall be used.
BIO-1 If construction must be conducted during the breeding season, a qualified biologist shall
conduct a focused survey for bird nests not more than 72 hours prior to commencement of
vegetation clearing activities. If active nest are found, the City's construction contractor shall
cease construction within an appropriate buffer zone of up to 500 feet, as determined by the
project biologist, around the nest site until juveniles have fledged and the nesting cycle is
complete. Crews will be briefed with the requirements, consequences and enforcement of the
MBTA prior to construction activities.
HAZ-1 Prior to the issuance of a grading permit, the City Engineer shall review and approve a
Construction Plan that specifies construction vehicle fueling and maintenance procedures and
designates hazardous materials storage areas to preclude the discharge of hazardous materials
(e.g., fuels, lubricants, and solvents) used during construction. The Construction Plan shall
include specific measures to preclude spills or contain hazardous materials, including proper
handling and disposal techniques and the use of impervious liners to prevent soil and water
contamination.
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APPLICANT CONCURRENCE WITH MITIGATION MEASURES
THIS IS TO CERTIFY THAT I HAVE REVIEWED THE ABOVE MITIGATING MEASURES AND
CONCUR WITH THE ADDITION OF THESE MEASURES TO THE PROJECT.
Date Signature
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PROJECT NAME: First Responders Training Facility
APPROVAL DATE: October 2. 2008
FILE NUMBERS: CUP 08-15
The following environmental mitigation measures were incorporated into the Conditions of Approval for this project in order to
mitigate identified environmental impacts to a level of insignificance. A completed and signed checklist for each mitigation measure
indicates that this mitigation measure has been complied with and implemented, and fulfills the City's monitoring requirements with
respect to Assembly Bill 3180 (Public Resources Code Section 21081.6).
Mitigation Measure
AES-1: Prior to any grading or construction activities, the City
Engineer shall review and approve the grading plans for
consistency with existing Public Safety and Public Works
facilities in the area.
AES-2: Prior to any grading or construction activities, the City
Landscape Consultant shall review the landscape plans for
consistency with the City Landscape Manual and existing Public
Safety and Public Works facilities in the area.
AES-3: Prior to issuance of a building permit, a detailed lighting
plan shall be reviewed and approved by the Planning Director.
The lighting plan shall include specifications indicating that all
lighting fixtures have been designed to include shades or hoods,
directional lenses, or other techniques to minimize light spillover
onto adjacent and nearby properties and reflection into the night
sky. Fixtures shall include directional light mounts and non-glare
hoods to reduce the potential light and glare impacts on
surrounding properties.
AIR-1 : The project would involve short-term emissions
associated with grading and construction. In accordance with
Policy C.6 of the City's General Plan, construction control
measures in San Diego County's CEQA guidelines, and to
ensure compliance with SDAPCD Rules 50 (Visible Emissions)
and 51 (Nuisance), the following measures listed will apply to the
project and will reduce air pollutant emissions associated with
Monitoring
Type
Project
Project
. Project
Project
Monitoring
Department
Engineering
Department &
City Landscape
Consultant
Planning
Department
Engineering
Department
Shown on
Plans
Verified
Implementation Remarks
Explanation of Headings:
Type = Project, ongoing, cumulative.Verified implementation = When mitigation measure has been implemented,
Monitoring Dept. = Department, or Agency, responsible for monitoring a particular mitigation measure, this column will be initialed and dated.
Remarks = Area for describing status of ongoing mitigation measure, or for other information.
Shown on Plans = When mitigation measure is shown on plans, this column will be initialed and dated.
RD - Appendix P.
Page 2 of 4
Mitigation Measure
project construction activities. Furthermore, certain
equipment/vehicles powered by diesel engines would have to
meet the applicable Airborne Toxics Control Measures (ATCMs)
for control of diesel PM in the exhaust (e.g. ATCMs for Portable
Diesel Engines, Heavy-Duty Diesel Trucks Operated by Utilities,
Off-Road Diesel Vehicles, and Commercial Diesel Vehicle Idling)
that are in effect during the implementation of the project.
a. Subject to approval by the City Engineer, the construction
contractor shall select the construction equipment used on
site based on low emission factors and high energy
efficiency. The construction contractor shall ensure that
construction grading plans include a statement that all
construction equipment will be tuned and maintained in
accordance with the manufacturer's specifications.
b. Subject to approval by the City Engineer, the construction
contractor shall ensure that construction grading plans
include a statement that work crews will shut off equipment
when not in use.
c. Subject to approval by the City Engineer, the construction
contractor shall time the construction activities so as not to
interfere with peak hour traffic, and to minimize obstruction
of through traffic lanes adjacent to the site; if necessary, a
flagperson shall be retained to maintain safety adjacent to
existing roadways.
d. Subject to approval by the City Engineer, the construction
contractor shall support and encourage ridesharing and
transit incentives for the construction crew.
AIR-2: Subject to approval by the City Landscape Consultant,
portions of the construction site to remain inactive longer than a
period of three months shall be seeded and watered until the
Monitoring
Type
Project
Monitoring
Department
City Landscape
Consultant
Shown on
Plans
Verified
Implementation Remarks
Explanation of Headings:
Type = Project, ongoing, cumulative.Verified Implementation = When mitigation measure has been implemented,
Monitoring Dept. = Department, or Agency, responsible for monitoring a particular mitigation measure, this column will be initialed and dated.
Remarks = Area for describing status of ongoing mitigation measure, or for other information.
Shown on Plans = When mitigation measure is shown on plans, this column will be initialed and dated.
RD -Appendix P.
Page 3 of 4
Mitigation Measure Monitoring
Type
Monitoring
Department
Shown on
Plans
Verified
Implementation Remarks
appropriate ground cover is grown in accordance with the
Landscape Manual Section IV-E, Slope Revegetation/Erosion
Control Policies and Requirements.
AIR-3: To minimize construction-related air quality impacts, the
construction contractor shall ensure that the following measures
are observed:
a. All active portions of the construction site shall be watered a
minimum of twice daily, more when needed due to dry or
windy conditions, to prevent excessive amounts of dust.
b. On-site vehicle speed shall be limited to 15 mph.
c. All on-site roads shall be paved as soon as feasible or
watered periodically or chemically stabilized.
d. All material excavated or graded shall be sufficiently watered
to prevent excessive amounts of dust. Watering, with
complete coverage, shall occur at least twice daily,
preferably in the late morning and after work is done for the
day.
e. All clearing, grading, earth moving, or excavation activities
shall cease during periods of high winds (i.e., greater than
25 mph averaged over one hour).
f. All material transported off site shall be either sufficiently
watered or securely covered to prevent excessive amounts
of dust.
g. The area disturbed by clearing, grading, earth moving, or
excavation operations shall be minimized at all times.
h. Portable engines will be registered under the Statewide
Portable Equipment Registration Program (PERP) and will
meet applicable emissions requirements.
Project Public Works
Department and
Building
Department
Explanation of Headings:
Type = Project, ongoing, cumulative.Verified Implementation = When mitigation measure has been implemented,
Monitoring Dept. = Department, or Agency, responsible for monitoring a particular mitigation measure, this column will be initialed and dated.
Remarks = Area for describing status of ongoing mitigation measure, or for other information.
Shown on Plans = When mitigation measure is shown on plans, this column will be initialed and dated.
RD-Appendix P.
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Mitigation Measure Monitoring
Type
Monitoring
Department
Shown on
Plans
Verified
Implementation Remarks
AIR-4: To reduce the regional air quality impacts, the City
Landscape Consultant shall determine trees to be planted to
provide shade and shadow to buildings.
Project City Landscape
Consultant
AIR-5: To reduce the regional air quality impacts, the additional
following features will be implemented as part of the project and
subject to review and approval by the Building Official:
a. Central water heater for the buildings shall be provided,
b. Double-paned glass or window treatment for energy
conservation shall be used in all exterior windows,
c. Energy efficient low-sodium parking lot lights shall be used.
Project Building
Department
BIO-1: If construction must be conducted during the breeding
season, a qualified biologist shall conduct a focused survey for
bird nests not more than 72 hours prior to commencement of
vegetation clearing activities. If active nest are found, the City's
construction contractor shall cease construction within an
appropriate buffer zone of up to 500 feet, as determined by the
project biologist, around the nest site until juveniles have fledged
and the nesting cycle is complete. Crews will be briefed with the
requirements, consequences and enforcement of the MBTA
prior to construction activities.
Project/
Ongoing
Biologist
HAZ-1: Prior to the issuance of a grading permit, the City
Engineer shall review and approve a Construction Plan that
specifies construction vehicle fueling and maintenance
procedures and designates hazardous materials storage areas
to preclude the discharge of hazardous materials (e.g., fuels,
lubricants, and solvents) used during construction. The
Construction Plan shall include specific measures to preclude
spills or contain hazardous materials, including proper handling
and disposal techniques and the use of impervious liners to
prevent soil and water contamination.
Project Engineering
Department
Explanation of Headings:
Type = Project, ongoing, cumulative.Verified Implementation = When mitigation measure has been implemented,
Monitoring Dept. = Department, or Agency, responsible for monitoring a particular mitigation measure, this column will be initialed and dated.
Remarks = Area for describing status of ongoing mitigation measure, or for other information.
Shown on Plans = When mitigation measure is shown on plans, this column will be initialed and dated.
RD-Appendix P.