HomeMy WebLinkAbout1989-07-19; Planning Commission; ; MINOR AMENDMENT SP 144 - SAN DIEGO GAS & ELECTRIC COMPANYMEMORANDUM
DATE: JULY 19, 1989
TO: PLANNING COMMISSION
FROM: PLANNING DEPARTMENT
SUBJECT: AGENDA ITEM NO. 1 - MINOR AMENDMENT TO SP-144 - SAN DIEGO GAS &
ELECTRIC
Minor Amendment to SP-144 was continued from the Planning Commission
meeting of June 7, 1989 in order to research the applicability of engineering
conditions being recommended to staff. Based on staff's research, the Resolution
of approval (Resolution No. 2859) has been modified by removing the conditions
regarding street improvements and undergrounding of utilities. Otherwise, the
staff report and recommendation remains the same and a copy is attached.
MJH:af
ApdcATION COMPLETE DATE: *
March 10. 1989
STAFF REPORT
DATE: June 7, 1989
TO: PLANNING COMMISSION
FROM: PLANNING DEPARTMENT
SUBJECT: MINOR AMENDMENT SP 144 SAN DIEGO GAS & ELECTRIC COMPANY - Request
to replace six uncovered wastewater collection ponds with six
collection tanks at the Encina Power Plant, 4600 Carlsbad Boulevard
located in the PU Zone and Local Facilities Management Zone 3.
I. RECOMMENDATION
That the Planning Commission ADOPT Resolution No. 2858 APPROVING the Negative
Declaration issued by the Planning Director, and ADOPT Resolution No. 2859
APPROVING a Minor Amendment to Specific Plan 144, based on the findings and
subject to the conditions contained therein.
II. PROJECT DESCRIPTION AND BACKGROUND
This item is a request by San Diego Gas & Electric for a Minor Amendment to
Specific Plan 144 to install six wastewater collection tanks at the Encina Power
Plant. Specific Plan 144 covers the entire Encina Power Plant operation.
Because the new tanks will replace the six open ponds presently being used for
wastewater collection and because the amendment only affects a small area on the
power plant property, it is being processed as a Minor Amendment to the Specific
Plan.
Wastewater treatment at the plant currently involves the use of six open ponds
and a physical/chemical treatment facility. There are two low volume waste ponds
with 300,000 and 590,000 gallon capacity, two extended waste ponds with a 750,000
and 330,000 gallon capacity and two treated water ponds with 220,000 and 270,000
gallon capacity. The two low volume ponds hold wastewater which contains low
levels of dirt and oils that make their way to the basement sumps. Sources
include rainwater runoff and other low level waste such as water softener
regenerant flow. This wastewater is similar to that which would result from
activities like a homeowner washing a driveway, car washes or garages.
The extended wastewater ponds are empty most of the time. They are used to hold
wastewater from washing the power plant's four steam boilers. This process is
necessary to increase the boilers' efficiency and reliability and is done about
every two years on each of the boilers.
The materials contained in this wastewater include trace metals such as iron*
copper and nickel along with cleaning chemicals. These materials are removed
from the water through treatment, solidified and taken to a licensed disposal
facility. Although these materials are classified as hazardous, operating
SP 144 SDG&E - MINOR AMBIENT
June 7, 1989
PAGE 2
personnel are not required to wear protective clothing or breathing apparatus
when handling then. The cleaned water is forwarded to the treated water ponds.
The treated water ponds are used to temporarily store the water which has been
processed through the treatment facility. At this point, samples are taken and
analyzed before allowing the water to be discharged Into the ocean.
The proposed project would replace the open ponds with six tanks and Is being
done in order to comply with the Toxic Pits Act of 1984. This law set more
stringent standards on the use of waste impoundments and their potential for
ground water contamination. To comply with the law, SDG&E had two options:
Relining the existing ponds or using steel tanks to hold the water. SDG&E chose
to use steel tanks. While the tanks are the costlier of the two options, they
are the safest and most environmentally sound. The Regional Water Quality Board,
which is responsible for ensuring compliance with the law has directed SDG&E to
complete the project by August, 1990. SDG&E's plan has been approved by the
State Department of Health Services which regulates the design of these types
of facilities (approval letter is attached to staff report).
III. ANALYSIS
Planning Issues
1. Will the installation of the tanks improve the treatment of wastewater at
the Power Plant and eliminate the possibility of ground water
contamination?
2. Will the installation of the tanks at the proposed location impact or
interfere with any other operations of the Plant including onsite
circulation?
3. Have the visual impacts associated with above-ground tanks been adequately
mitigated?
DISCUSSION
The proposed location for the tanks is in the area on the site that is presently
paved with asphalt and used as a temporary storage area. Therefore, the
installation of the tanks will not impact or interfere with onsite circulation
or parking or any other aspect of the power plant operation. The existing ponds
will be closed/removed in accordance with a "closure plan" approved by the State
Department of Health.
The installation of above ground tanks will virtually eliminate the possibility
of any potential ground water contamination. Key features of the new system
are:
1) The extended waste and treated waste tanks will function like the existing
ponds in that they will collect and temporarily store wastewater before
and after treatment prior to discharge.
SP 144 SOG&E - MINOR
June 7, 1989
PAGE 3
2) The low volume waste tanks will collect the same waste streams as the
ponds currently collect. However, there will be a new step in the
treatment process. The low volume wastes will be treated in an oil and
solids coalescer. This new system will continue to automatically filter
and monitor low volume wastewater to assure that the discharge of these
wastewaters complies with the plant's discharge permit limits. If
wastewater does not meet specified limits the system automatically shuts
down, making it a 100 percent backup system.
3) Because the new system will make the most effective use'of the equipment
and involve the addition of the oil solids coalescer, the amount of
wastewater onsite at any one time will be significantly reduced. The
extended waste tanks will contain 357,000 gallons, the treated water tanks
will have a capacity of 95,000 gallons and the low volume wastewater tanks
will hold 56,000 gallons.
4) Each tank will be completely above ground to allow plant operators to
visually inspect for leakage. The tanks will be built on a concrete pad
that is designed to meet very stringent seismic criteria. The pad will
be surrounded by a watertight, concrete containment block wall which will
capture any leaks, in the unlikely event that any might occur.
5) Tank levels will be monitored continuously and high level alarms will
sound in a control room which is manned around-the-clock. Additionally,
there are provisions for each tank to overflow into the parallel sister
tank should all systems fail.
One concern that staff had was the visual impact of the tanks. The tanks will
be 18 to 30 feet in height and 20 to 45 feet in width and will be visible from
Carlsbad Boulevard. They will be small, however, in comparison to the existing
tanks already located to the north on the property and currently visible from
Carlsbad Boulevard. In order to mitigate the visual impacts staff is
recommending, and the applicant concurs, to paint the tanks a color that makes
them compatible with the existing landscaping that backdrops the site. In
addition, planting along the front perimeter of the tanks is incorporated into
the project for screening purposes.
Some grading and retaining walls will be necessary to create a large enough pad
area for the tanks as shown on Exhibit "A". The maximum cut will be 8 feet, the
maximum fill will be 3 feet and the retaining wall will range from 1 foot high
to 7 feet high.
Because the proposed project will improve wastewater treatment at the Plant,
will eliminate the possibility of ground water contamination and will not
interfere or impact existing circulation or other onsite operation, staff is
recommending approval of this Minor Amendment to SP 144.
IV. ENVIRONMENTAL REVIEW
The Planning Director has determined that no significant environmental impacts
will result from this project, and a Negative Declaration was issued on March
SP 144 SDG&E - MINOR AIWMENT
June 7, 1989
PAGE 4
17, 1989. This decision was based on findings of the Environmental Impact
Assessment and field survey. The site is presently paved and used for storage.
The project will replace six existing open wastewater treatment ponds and
eliminate the potential for ground water contamination. Visual impacts of the
project will be mitigated by landscaping and painting. The Negative Declaration
was sent to the State Clearinghouse and no comments were received.
ATTACHMENTS
1. Planning Commission Resolution No. 2858
2. Planning Commission Resolution No. 2859
3. Location Map
4. Background Data Sheet
5. Disclosure Statement
6. Letter from Department of Health Services
7. Exhibits "A" through "C" dated February 10, 1989
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April 13, 1989
ENCINA
POWER
PLANT
City of Carlsbad
S.D.G.& E.MINOR AMENDMENT TO
SP 144
BACKGROUND DATA SHEET
CASE NO: SP 144 (MINOR AMENDMENT)
APPLICANT: SAN DIEGO GAS AND ELECTRIC
REQUEST AND LOCATION: ENCINA POWER PLANT - REPLACE EXISTING
WASTEWATER PONDS WITH WASTEWATER TANKS.
LEGAL DESCRIPTION; PORTIONS OF RANCHO AGUA HEDIONDA. MAP NO. 823
AND BLOCK "W". PALISADES. UNIT 2. MAP 1803 APN: 210 - 01 - 22
Acres ._9 Proposed No. of Lots/Units N/A
GENERAL PLAN AND ZONING
Land Use Designation PUBLIC UTILITY (U)
Density Allowed N/A Density Proposed N/A
Existing Zone PU Proposed Zone N/A
Surrounding Zoning and Land Use:
Zoning Land Use
Site PU POWER PLANT
North OS LAGOON
South PU POWER PLANT
East PU POWER PLANT
West PU POWER PLANT
PUBLIC FACILITIES
School District CARLSBAD Water CARLSBAD Sewer CARLSBAD
EDU's N/A Public Facilities Fee Agreement, Date EXEMPT
ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT ASSESSMENT
X Negative declaration, issued MARCH 17. 1989
E.I.R. Certified, dated
Other,
APPLICANT:
AGENT:
MEMBERS:
DISCLOSURE FORM
92101
San Diego Gas & Electric
Name (individual, partnership, joint venture, corporation, syndic;
101 Ash Street, San Diego, CA --'-'
Business Address
696-2410
Telephone Number
Dave Siino
Name
P. O. Box 1831, San Diego, CA 92112
Business Address
'696-2410 •
Telephone Number
Corporation (See Attached List)
Name (individual, partner, joint
venture, corporation, syndication)
p. 0. Box 1831, San Diego, CA 92112
101 Ash Street, San Diego 921C
Home Address
Business Address
Telephone Number Telephone Number
Name Home Address
Business Address
Telephone Number Telephone Number
(Attach more sheets rf necessary)
I/We understand that if this project is located in the Coastal Zone, I/we will appl
for Coastal Commission Approval prior to development.
I/We acknowledge that in the process of reviewing this application, it may b
necessary for members of City Staff, Planning Commissioners, Design Review Boar
members, or City Council members to inspect and enter the property that is th
subject of this application. I/We consent to entry for this purpose.
I/We declare under penalty of perjury that the information contained in this disclosur
is true and correct and that it will remain true and correct and may be relied upo
as being true and correct until amended.
BY
SDG&E
APPLICANT
Agent, Owner. Partn<
LIST OF CORPORATE OWNERS
SDG&E has over 100,000 shareholders. It would be extremely
difficult to provide a complete list of all persons having a financial
interest in this application. In lieu of this requirement, we have
provided below the names of the top five officers of SDG&E.
Thomas A. Page Chairman of the Board, Pres. and Chief
Executive Officer
Jack E. Thomas Executive Vice President and Chief
Operating Officer
Gary D. Cotton Senior Vice President - Engineering and
Operations
Alton T. Davis Senior Vice President - Customer Service
R. Lee Haney Vice President - Finance and Chief
Financial Officer
Stephen L. Baum Senior Vice President and General
Counsel
S7ATE Of CAltfORNIA—HEALTH AND WEIFAKE AGENCY GEORGE DEUKMEJIAN,
DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH SERVICES
107 SOUTH BROADWAY, ROOM 7011
LOS ANGELES, CA 90012
(213) 620-2380
August 30, 1988
Mr. G. D. Cotton
Senior Vice Pres-£cient
Engineering fr^Oper at ion
San Diegox^as & Electric Company
P. 0. Rrffc 1831
San Diego, CA 92112
Dear Mr. Cotton:
PART A MODIFICATIONS: SAN DIEGO GAS AND ELECTRIC, ENCINA POWER PLANT
(CAT000618900), AND SOUTH BAY POWER PLANT (CAT000619056)
This is in response to the revised Part A you submitted on June 26, 1988.
You requested permission to replace surface impoundments with the
above-ground tanks at the above facilities as described in Appendix C of the
submittals. This request is part of your effort to comply with the Toxic Pit
Clean Up Act (TPCA) .
The Department approves your proposals for both facilities subject to
requirements that new tanks will comply with 40 CFR, Part 265, Subpart J.
the
Should you have any questions regarding this matter, please feel free to
contact Suwan Sonkprasha of my staff at (213) 620-3050 or Jim Potter at (213)
620-5456.
Sincerely,
POM^A
Mohinder S. Sandhu, P. E., Chief
Facility Permitting Unit
Region 4 (Long Beach)
Toxic Substances Control Division
MSS:SS:kap
cc: Caroline Cabias
Hazardous Waste Management Section
Toxic Substances Control Division
714/744 "P" Street
P. 0. Box 942342
Sacramento, CA 94234
Paula Rasmussen
Surveillance and Enforcement Unit
Region 4 (Long Beach)
Toxic Substances Control Division
245 West Broadway
Long Beach, CA 90802