HomeMy WebLinkAbout1982-03-16; City Council; 6927; ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT REPORTS EIR 80-08 AND EIR 80-08A - CARLSBAD HIGHLANDS,,-._
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CIT1. JF CARLSBAD -AGEND~ ---'ILL
AB# lo9;) 7 TITLE: DEPT. HD. --let:
MTG. 3/16/82 ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT REPORTS 80-8
AND 80-8(A), CARLSBAD HIGHLANDS. CITY ATTY Vf:93
DEPT. PL CITY MG
RECOMMENDED ACTION:
Both the Planning Staff and Planning Commission recommend that
City Council CERTIFY EIRs 80-8 and 80-8(A) by Minute Motion.
ITEM EXPLANATION
Ir
Environmental Impact Report 80-8 pertains to a proposed 813 unit
residential subdivision/planned unit development on 263 acres
located approximately 1/3 mile southerly of Lake Calavera. ·EIR
80-8 also addresses impacts associated with extending Cannon Road
from El Camino Real to the proposed project site. During public
review of EIR 80-8 the project underwent several substantial
changes with respect to the location of off-site improvements.
The project changes necessitated a supplemental EIR 80-8(A).
In order to approve CT 81-9/PUD-30 (Carlsbad Highlands) the City
Council will need to make a finding of overriding consideration
with respect to impacts related to habitat loss and landform mod-
ification. These two impacts cannot be reduced to a level of
insignificanca without project redesign or selection of the "no
project" alternative. It should be noted that both planning
staff and Planning Commission have recommended denial of the
Carlsbad Highlands project. Should the Council decide to approve
the project it would be necessary to continue the project (not
the EIRs) so that the Planning Department could draft necessary
conditions of approval and findings of overriding consideration.
It is the opinion of the environmental consultants (RECON) that
all other environmental impacts associated with the proposed pro-
ject could be reduced to a level of insignificance when the miti-
gation measures recommended in EIRs 80-8 and 80-8(A) have been
made conditions of project approval.
Certification of the EIRs indicate that the Council has deter-
mined that the Carlsbad Highlands project related environmental
impacts have been adequately identified and discussed and that
the EIRs were prepared in accordance with the California Environ-
mental Quality Act.
FISCAL IMPACT
None. The EIRs were prepared by the applicant's consultant.
Financial responsibility for the EIRs is entirely that of the
applicant (Barnes Corporation).
EXHIBITS
A. Planning Commission Staff Report dated February 24, 1982
B. EIRs 80-8 and 80-8(A) (previously submitted)
~
DATE:
TO:
FROM:
STAFF REPORT
February 24, 1982
Planning Commission
Planning Department
SUBJECT: EIRS 80-8 AND 80-8(A), CARLSBAD HIGHLANDS
I. BACKGROUND
Environmental Impact Report 80-8 identifies and discusses the
impacts associated with a proposed 813-unit Planned Unit Develop~
ment on approximately 263 acres located 1/3 mile south of Lake
Calavera, as shown on the attached map. EIR 80-8 also addressed
impacts associated with extending Cannon Road (from El Camino
Real), and all utilities to the project. During the processing
of EIR 80-8 the following changes in the location'of several off-
-site improvements occurred:
1. Cannon Road would only be extended from the project to its
intersection with future College Boulevard.
2. College Boulevard would be constructed between Cannon Road
and El Camino Real.
3. Elm Avenue would be extended from its terminus in Lake Cala-
vera Hills to the project's western boundary.
4. A sewer line would be extended from the northwest porti?n of
the site to tie-in with the proposed sewer line connection
to the Lake Calavera Hills sewer treatment facility.
Since these changes were not addressed in EIR 80-8, a supple-
mental EIR 80-8(A) was required. EIR 80-8(A) also addresses sev-
eral project design changes. None of the design changes result
in any significant impacts.
II. MAJOR IMPACTS
1. Biology -Project implementation would result in the loss of
approximately 122 acres of the 142 acres of natural habitat
on the site. The habitat loss represents an incremental
contribution to a cumulatively significant impact on re-
gional biological resources. The loss of habitat not only
means the removal of natural vegetation, it also means the
elimination of most of the burrowing species of animals from
the site as well as the displacement of the larger verti-
brate species to adjacent sites. It is not known whether
adjacent natural areas can support the displaced wildlife.
EXHIBIT 11A11
GIA/
Included in the elimination of most of the natural habitat
on the site would be the loss of the willow portion of the
riparian habitat located in the southerly corner of the
site. The loss of the willow portion of the ripari"~h-would
be the result of the construction of Cannon Road. This is
an unavoidable impact since the alignment of Cannon Road is
fixed on the eastern boundary of the project by an approved
tract in Oceanside. Also included in the habitat loss would
be the elimination from the site of three observed sensitive
plant species: pigmy spikemoss ( Selag inella cinerascens.); -·
adolphia (Adelphia California); Western dichondra (Dichondra
occentalis).
The loss of natural habitat cannot be reduced to a level of
insignificance except by project redesign or by selection of
the "no project" alternative. Therefore, a finding of over-
riding consideration wil~ be necessary to approve the pro-
ject.
2. Topography and Visual Aesthetics
The project proposes to grade approximately 4,800,000 cubic
yards of earth materials (half is cut, half is fill). This
figure does not include the grading necessary for the off-
-site improvements. Project grading will involve over 90%
of the site. The major impacts relative to the project
grading would be habitat loss (covered in the Biology sec-
tion above), potential erosion and siltation problems, and
loss of the natural and rural characters of the area.
The EIR proposes measures that would reduce some of the
grading impacts. In particular, the measures recommended in
the Geology and Soils section of the EIR would reduce the
potential erosion and sedimentation problems to a level of
insignificance. Visual impacts would partially be reduced
by landscaping especially with native species and by project
design which incorporates open space corridors surrounding
individual development. However, the loss of natural habi-
tats resulting from the grading of over 90% of the site can
only be mitigated to a level of insignificance by project
redesign or selection of the "no project" alternative.
Therefore, a finding of overriding consideration will be
necessary to approve the project with the extent of grading
proposed.
3. Public Services
A) Fire Protection -the project would be beyond the 5-
minute response time considered acceptable by the Fire
Department. Therefore, the risk of potential damage resul-
ting from a fire is significantly increased. The city pro-
poses a fire station to be located in Lake Calavera Hills
(LCH). A station at this location could serve the project
within the 5-minute response time if College Boulevard were
extended from Lake Calavera Hills to Cannon Road. However,
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the exact timing of the construction of the station or the
necessary access are currently unknown. The current 5-year
Capi taL Improvell!ent Pro_gram., J CIP) __ gqes __ not incl ude--,allo--
cation-of funds for the purchase of the land for the fire
station. Once the land is purchased the station will need
to be designed, constructed, out fitted, and manned before
it can provide adequate fire protection for the project
(assuming the College Boulevard extension was also con-
structed).
The EIR indicates that the Carlsbad Fire Department rec-
ommends that the applicant install sprinkler systems in the
residences to mitigate the potential fire hazard prior to
the development of the fire station in Lake Calavera Hills.
This measure would probably reduce the level of impact to
insignificance.
B) Police Protection -In order to maintain the preferred
level of service established by the City Council, three
additional offices with supporting vehicles and equipment
will be necessary upon completion of the project. Funding
for the equipment and vehicles would come from the CIP which
would be partially financed by public facilities fees (PFF)
paid by the applicant. Neither the CIP nor the PFF would
provide funding for the three officers.
Since police protection is provided by mobile patrol ~nits
the Police Department feels that it can serve the remote
project within adequate response times.
C) Utilities -All utilities are available and adequate to
serve the project. However, it will be the responsibility
of the developer to extend utilities from their existing
locations to the project.
4. Agricultural Resources -The project site contains 8 acres
of prime agricultural soils. In addition, approximately 100
acres of the site was under cultivation at the time the EIR
was prepared. Agriculture on the site is primarily tomatoes
and it takes place almost exclusively on Class IV soils.
Agriculture on these soils requires careful managementi how-
ever, the soils are suitable for a variety of crops includ-
ing tomatoes, flowers, truck crops and grains.
The loss of farmland including the 8 acres of prime soils on
the site is not considered individually significant. How-
ever, the loss does represent an incremental part of a
cumulatively significant impact to regional agricultural
resources.
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5. Traffic -EIR 80-8(A) primarily addressed the traffic cir-
culation impacts associated with implementation of the pro-
ject as well as with the proposed changes in the off-site
· improvements~ · ·· The maj'or project impacts·· are assocLfte·a -··t:,·n:fi ·
the following issues:
A) What are the potential problems associated with a pro-
ject of 500 or less units served by a single two-lane access
road about 1.5 miles in length?
B) What is the impact of the project and other projects on
the College Boulevard/El Camino Real intersection? When
should this intersection be signalized?
C) Are there potential traffic hazards associated with the
90 degree-angle intersection of Cannon Road and College
Boulevard?
D) The project proposes construction of half-widths for
Cannon Road and College Boulevard off-site. When should
contruction of full-width of these roadways be completed?
The project proposes development of 500 units before construction
of a second access. If an emergency situation should arise such
as a traffic accident, a flood, a brush fire, or an earthquake,
there is the potential for the access road to be completely
blocked. Since all four of these hazards are a possibility, the
EIR concluded that a single access to the project would result in
a significant impact if one of the emergency situations
occurred. To mitigate the impact associated with a single access
the EIR recommended that a second access (Elm Street extension)
be required at the onset of the project.
The traffic engineers, Federhart and Associates, subcontracted by
the EIR consultants recommend that the College Boulevard/El ·
Camino Real intersection could require signalization when approx-
imately 4300 average daily trips utilize the intersection. This
situation could either occur when 430 units are developed by the
project, or perhaps sooner if College Boulevard is extended to
Lake Calavera Hills, or if Cannon Road is connected to develop-
ment in Oceanside. The signal at this intersection is to be
funded by the public facilities fee (PFF). However, it is not
known whether PFF funds will be available concurrent with the
signal need.
The temporary 90 degree-angle intersection of Cannon Road and
College Boulevard could potentially create a traffic hazard. The
intersection would occur after approximately 1/2 mile of rural
roadway. The design speed of these two major arterials will be
50 mph so that vehicle drivers may have difficulty anticipating
the intersection. This problem would be accentuated when visi-
bility is reduced at night, or during rain, or foggy weather.
The EIR recommends a number of measures to minimize the potential
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traffic hazard including: curve warning signs; arrows indicating
curve directional changes; appropriate striping and reflective
buttons; paddles y.d:thtn the center of . the road at the curve; and
a ieduced speed of between 15 to 25 mph pci~tea piior to -the
curve.
In order to mitigate the potential capacity problems on the Can-
non Road/College Boulevard accesses, the EIR recommends that
after 538 project units have been constructed the applicant fund
a traffic study to assess the ability of the accesses to ace.om-__
modate traffic generated by the remaining project units. The
traffic study would recommend the phasing of full-width con-
struction as well as other measures to reduce project and cum-
ulative impacts on the two access roads.
III. SUMMARY
In order to approve CT 81-9/POD-30 (Carlsbad Highlands) the City
Council will need to make a finding of overriding consideration
with respect to impacts related to habitat loss and landform mod-
ification.
It is the opinion of the environmental consultants that all other
environmental impacts associated with the proposed project could
be reduced to a \level of insignificance when the mitigation
measures recommended in EIRs 80-8 and 80-8(A) have been made con-
ditions of project approval.
The EIRs 80-8 and 80-8(A) have been prepared in compliance with
both the city's Environmental Protection Ordinance and the Cali-
fornia Environmental Quality Act, as amended. The EIRs ade-
quately identify and propose measures which would mitigate the
potential project impacts on the environment.
IV. RECOMMENDATION
It is recommended that the Planning Commission APPROVE Resolution
No. 1919, recommending to the City Council that they CERTIFY EIRs
80-8 and 80-8(A).
ATTACHMENTS
1. Planning Commission Resolution No. 1919
2. Location Map
3. Draft EIRs 808 and 80-B(A) (previously distributed)
4. Comments and Responses on the draft EIRs
5. Copies of public notices
GW:ar
2/18/82
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PLANNING COMMISSION RESOLUTION NO. 1919
A RESOLUTION OF THE PLANNING COMMISSION OF THE CITY
OF CARLSBAD, CALIFORNIA, RECOMMENDING CERTIFICATION
OF ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT REPORTS (EIR 80-8 AND 80-8(A)
FOR A PROJECT GENERALLY INCLUDING: 1) A TENTATIVE
TRACT; AND 2) A PLANNED UNIT DEVELOPMENT.
APPLICANT: BARNES CORPORATION
CASE NO: EIRS 80-8 AND 80-8(A)
WHEREAS, on February 24, 1982, the Planning Commission, of
7 the city of Carlsbad, held a public hearing on EIRS 80-8 and 80-
8 8(A) pursuant to the provisions of Title 19 of the Carlsbad Mun-
9 icipal Code; and
10 WHEREAS, the Planning Commission has considered comments
ll and documents of all those persons testifying at the public hearing;
12 and
13 WHEREAS, the Planning Commission has received EIRS 80-8 and
14 80-8(A) according to the requirements of Title 19 of the Carlsbad
15 Municipal Code;
16 NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED by the Planning Commission
17 of the city of Carlsbad as follows:
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2.
3.
4.
That the foregoing recitations are true and correct.
That the Environmental Impact Reports EIRS 80-8 and 80-8(A) will
be amended to include the comments and documents of those tes-
tifying at the public hearing and responses thereto hereby found
to be in good faith and reason by incorporating a copy of the
minutes of said public hearings into the report.
That the Planning Commission finds and determines that the
Environmental Impact Reports EIRS 80-8 and 80-8(A) have been
completed in conformance with the California Environmental Qual-
ity Act, the state guidelines implementing said Act, and the
provisions of Title 19 of the Carlsbad Municipal Code and that
the Planning Commission has reviewed, considered and evaluated
the information contained in the report.
That the Environmental Impact Reports EIRS 80-8 and 80-8(A) as
so amended and evaluated, are recommmended for acceptance and
certification as the final Environmental Impact Report and that
the final Environmental Impact Reports as amended are adequate
and provide reasonable informati?n on the proj~ct an9 all
reasonable and feasible alternatives thereto, including no pro-
ject.
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That the Environmental Impact Reports EIRS 80-8 and 80-8(A)
identify all of the significant environmental impacts including
those impacts which cannot be reduced to a level of
insignificance and would therefore require findings of
overriding consideration if the project were to be approved.
PASSED, APPROVED AND ADOPTED at a regular meeting of the
5 Planning Commission of the city of Carlsbad, California, held on the
6 24th day of February, 1982, by the following vote, to wit:
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13 ATTEST:
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AYES: Chairman Farrow, Commissioners Marcus, Rombotis,
Schlehuber~ Jose, Friestedt and L'Heureux.
NOES: None.
ABSENT: None.
ABSTAIN: None.
hairman
CARLSBAD __ PL NING COMM..l-6SION
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ecretary
COMMISSION
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28 PC RESO NO. 1919 -2-
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LOCATION
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Lake
Calavera
CASE NO. EIR 80-8/80-S(A)
APPLICANT BARNES CORP.
MAP
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VICINITY MAP
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Carlsbad Journal
Decreed a Lego I Newspaper by the Superior Court of San Diego County
3138 ROOSEVELT ST.• P.O. BOX 248 • CARLSBAD, CA 92008 • 729-2345
Proof of Publication
STATE OF CALIFORNIA, ss.
COUNTY OF SAN DIEGO,
I am a citizen of the United States and a resident of the county aforesaid;
I am over the age of eighteen years, and not a party to or interested in the above entitled matter.
I am principal clerk of the printer of the Carlsbad Journal a newspaper of general circulation,
published twice weekly in the City of Carlsbad, County of San Diego, State of California, and which
newspaper is published for the dissemination of local news and intelligence of a general character, and
which newspaper at all times herein mentioned had and still has a bona fide subscription list of paying
subscribers, and which newspaper has been established and published at regular intervals in the said
City of ~a_rls~~~-L C:ou!l~Y __ of S.9J\~P,i~-o.o,~Sta e of California, for a period exceeding one year
NOTIC:E OF P~~LIC. ; !!~J0~~~_:{i~~~~:~~1;r11:~ ' ne~t prece~ing the date of publication of ~he
_ JnIR; :~t:JrQ,O-B(A) .. f;J:CJ~~,l\ifti'J'ftW,c1}i:;4t°.~:: notice_ hereinafter ref~rred t~; and that the notice
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.N~JPIC-)J;HERJBYGil/ENurat the·El'Clfltilililll\11"1'MMielf'Valley bl' h d · h I d t' · f 'd thaCl~-qo~nciUofthedltyor0ar11-·Road I,nteri~ottQ).l,~d f11tite'partl-pu IS e in eac re_gu ar an en ire issue o sa1 ·!\i"l't/g:W,J! :;rr~1i:~~!11fJJ·,. ~~:r~t~~~~~ ... 11.•~~~~'.onthe newspape_r and not in any_ supplement thereof on •Ml' A.v1l'llii1, ~11t1ijll11:f;ealftornta, Appllcral)t; jacn,1 corporation the following dates, to-w1 t:
at 6:0Q p.rn. on ru••dlY, Ma~l.118, . 'cAR~fAf>' CITY COIJNCIL
1889, to c11n1ld!!r cerun~atlOJt or . -M·: --!!_ ·_ '11'!1 , ·LGlC:Attu ON -· D-4 ll" i-·---·~--·-1~-\-.:, 1-.t.:-·,~.:~: .. ','\i ·-: __ .
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I certify under penalty of perjury that the foregoing is true
and correct. Executed at Carlsbad, County of San Diego,
State of California on _t=h=e~3~r~d~-------
day of March 1982 .
c~-~ lerk thef>rinter
NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARING
EIR 80-8/EIR 80-8(A)
NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that the City Council of the City of Carlsbad will
hold a public hearing at the City Council Chambers, 1200 Elm Avenue,
Carlsbad, California, at 6:00 P.M. on Tuesday, March 16, 1982, to consider
certification of Environmental Impact Reports 80-8 and 80-8(A) (Carlsbad
Highlands) on property generally located one-third mile southerly of
Lake Calavera and one mile northeasterly of the El Camino Real/Hidden
Valley Road Intersection and more particularly described as shown on the
map below.
APPLICANT: Barnes Corporation
PUBLISH: March 3, 1982
La~
l~. Calavera
A-1(8)
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APPLICANT Barnes -~..c..:..;c.~----
CARLSBAD CITY COUNCIL
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