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HomeMy WebLinkAboutCT 98-14; Thompson/Tabata; Tentative Map (CT) (7),- - City of Carlsbad October 9,2001 Timothy and Tamra Hutter 939 Begonia Ct Carlsbad CA 92009 SUBJECT: RESPONSE TO COMMENTS REGARDING THE MITIGATED NEGATIVE DECLARATION FOR THE THOMPSONnABATA SUBDIVISION Thank you for your comments regarding the Mitigated Negative Declaration for the ThomsponRabata residential subdivision. Listed below are the responses to your comments. Your comment letter (copy attached) has been noted with reference letters that correspond to the responses contained below. A. An analysis of Daisy Avenue is included in the traffic study. The traffic study estimates that the project will increase the ADT on Daisy Avenue from 1,900 ADT to about 2,700 ADT. Based on the 40-fOOt width of Daisy Avenue and the fact that this road does “collect” traffic from Primrose Way, Ivy Street, Wisteria Way, and several other streets, a Residential Collector (4,500 ADT capacity) is deemed to be the appropriate classification.. In addition, LOS A and LOS B peak hour operations at the Daisy Avenue intersections at Batiquitos Drive and Ivy Street with project traffic are indications that capacity will not be a problem on Daisy Avenue. Although the City of San Diego Standards are not applicable, even the lowest classification from Table 2 of the Traffic Impact Study Manual (36-foot wide Sub- Collector - LOS C capacity of 2,200 ADT), the forecasted volume of 2,700 ADT would still result in adequate LOS D operations. As stated in the traffic study, separate from the .carrying capacity of Daisy Avenue is the potential for speeding. The City of Carlsbad will prepare a Traffic Calming Study for Daisy Avenue using the Carlsbad Residential Traffic Management Program document (May 2001). Improvements that could be recommended include installing stop signs on Daisy Avenue, mini roundabouts at intersections, and/or raised pinch points along Daisy Avenue. Lastly, it should be noted that installing a traffic signal on Poinsettia Lane at either Snapdragon Lane or Rose Drive would give residences within the Vista Pacifica community an option to turn left onto Poinsettia Lane at a signalized intersection. They would then be less likely to use Daisy Avenue to reach Batiquitos Drive. This would lower the demand on Daisy Avenue. Finally, as a general rule social and economic effects are not covered by CEQA, which focuses on environmental effects. Nevertheless, economic and social effects may be considered in determining the significance of physical changes caused by a project. In this instance, the adequate levels of service on the affected streets and the relatively few trips generated by the project support the conclusion that there will be no significant impacts associated with transportationkirculation. 1635 Faraday Avenue Carlsbad, CA 92008-7314 (760) 602-4600 FAX (760) 602-8559 www.ci.carlsbad.ca.us a9 I- TIMOTHY AND TAhmI-tA HUTTER October 9,2001 Paae 2 B. C. Establishment of attendance boundaries and timing of School construction is the responsibility of the governing School District and by law is not within the purview of the proposed project. In 1998 the California Legislature adopted Senate Bill 50 and the California voters approved Proposition 1 A. These combined actions changed the methods of school construction financing in California. In order to receive money under the bulk of. the financing programs, districts are required to provide 50% of the project funding from local sources. Carlsbad Unified School District generates funding from revenues collected through a financing form known as a Mello Roos District. According to State Law, participation in the Mello Roos District constitutes full and complete mitigation of project-related impacts and the provision of adequate school facilities. Students generated by the proposed project will occur as housing units are built. Normally school facility enrollment demands also fluctuate over time. Other than constructing new facilities, common options employed by School Districts include; attendance boundary modifications, adjustment of grade levels among facilities, use of temporary facilities and schedule modifications such as using year-round tracks. Specific means to accommodate school student demand is completely within the discretion and authority of the school district. Energy planning takes into account the City and Regional build out projections. The energy supply issue is being addressed through the addition of new generating facilities that will be available to serve the future needs of the energy grid. The current shortages are due to economic factors related to de-regulation legislation and are not related to inadequate power supplies. The economics of the power grid and de-regulation are not within the scope of CEQA project review, in particular for the incremental impacts associated with a project of this size. The project represents the implementation of the City’s General Plan and as analyzed in the EIA, no significant impacts upon utility demand is expected as a result of the project. It is anticipated that the project will be heard by the Planning Commission in November 2001. You will receive a legal notice of that hearing at least ten days in advance. Thank you again for your participation. Sincerely, MICHAEL J HCfCZMlLLER Planning Director Attachment c: City Attorney Assistant Planning Director Principal Planner DeCerbo Senior Planner Grim File Copy ,- I TIMOTHY M. HUTTE May 3,2001 Mike Grim City of Carlsbad Planning Department 1635 Faraday Ave. Carlsbad, CA 92008 RE: Thompson/Tabata Mitigated Negative Declarations Dated April 4,2001 Dear Mr. Grim: The purpose of this letter is to make public comment on the above referenced Mitigated Negative Declaration (ND). The ND in its current form prwides inadequate detail from which the public can make serious review and comment. Many oi the responses to the issues and impacts are boilerplate responses, as found in other City NDs, and offer little insight into the KNC impacts this project will have on the surroundmg community. While ochen are on record with the City dispuring the validity of the ND, We will limit our comments to the following itelnS. VI. TRANSPORT.4TION/CIRCU.4TION. The ND states that the project will have potentially significant impacr due to increased vehicle trips and traffic congestion. Keither the hm nor the project's traffic report discuss the negative impact the increase tdic will have on 1) the safety and welfare of residents of Daisy Ave. due to the increased traffic 2) the financial impacr and loss of properry values and 3) the bi-polarization A of the neighborhood. These are significant issues and the societal impacts are not discussed. The statement that no significant adveise impacts will occur due to the increase in traffic on Daisy Ax. is false. Further, many of the assertions made in the traffic report are invalid as they arc based on false assumptions. Primarily, thc incorrect classification of Daisy Ave. as a "residential collector" street when in fact it is a "residential road". Inasmuch, the increase in projected ADTs Y a rcsu!t of the ccmplerion of the projcc as cxrczrly d&& ndl exceed the design :apacity of Daiisy. B) XI PUBLIC SERVICES The ND states that the proposed development would not cause any significant impan to the school system and that local schools have capacity to accommodate additional students. THIS CLAIM IS COMPLETELY FALSE. The three schools affected, Pacific ILm Elementary, Avian Oaks Elementary and Aviara Oaks Middle School are now nearing capacity despite the current addition of portable classrooms. Accordi1,g ta rhe Carlsbad Unified School District, based on expected new enrollments in the Fall of 2001, all three will be at or exceed design capacity. In addition, there are no plans for the construction of any new schools in the area of the project prior to the expeaed build OUK of the project. I” -2- C) XII. UTILITIES AND SERVICE SYSTEMS The ND States that the project would not rdt in the need for new power or natural gas systems or supplies, or substantial alterations to power or natural gas systems. This statement is bved on the Master EIR assertion that no significant adverse environmental impacts due to power or natural gas supply would occur due to the build out of the City. This assertion is ludicrous in light of the ongoing power and natural gas shortages. The community is already subject to rolling blackouts as a result of this shortage and any additiond demand on the system will exacerbate the problem. Therefore the statement that this project will have no affect on utilities and service systems is falx. I look forward to your written response to our comments. Sincerely, Timothy M. Hurter & Tam= F. Hurter 939 BEGONIA COVRT CARLSBAD. CA 92009 PHONE: 76C-03i-2656