HomeMy WebLinkAboutEIA 160; ALGA GLENS; Environmental Impact Report (EIR)RICK ENGINEERING COMPANY I PLANNING CONSULTANTS AND CIVIL ENGINEERS
5620 FRIARS ROAD • SAN DIEGO. CALIFORNIA 92110
TELEPHONE AREA CODE 714 291·0707
Mr. Paul Williams
Planning Department
City of Carlsbad
1200 Elm Avenue
Carlsbad I California 92008
June 14, 1973
RE:<it'GA GLE'NB)ROJECT NO. 3959, CASE NO. E .I.S. 166
Dear Mr. Williams:
I have compiled the following information in response to your letter
dated May 24 I 1973. I hope this information will be sufficient to
allow you to proceed with the preparation of the final Environmental
Impact Report for Alga Glens.
PROJECT DESCRIPTION
Statement of Objectives
The draft Environmental Impact Report for Alga Glens was submitted
in conjunction with the application for a Master Development Plan ..
density revision. Approval of this revision would change the existing
maximum allowable density from 6.5 dwelling units per acre to ten
dwelling units per acre. Although no specific development plans have
been prepared I it is anticipated that the project site will ultimately
be developed to accommodate multi-family residences.
Housing shortages I population growth I and increased land vaiues
indicate that a Master Development Plan density revision is needed
at this time.
The proposed project site is not included within the existing Carlsbad
General Plan. Under the San Dieguito General Plan, the project site
. is designated for medium density housing (3.3 to 5.4 dwelLing units
per acre). Under the San Diego County General Plan for 1990 I the"·
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Mr. Paul Williams Page 2 June 14 I 1973
site is designated rural resident.ial. Alga Glens is included within
the La Costa Master Development Plan, which was approved by the
Carlsbad Planning Commission with Resolution No. 808 on July 25 J
1972 and by the City Council with Resolution No. 2058 on August 15,.
1972.
Project Location
Detailed plot plans and grading plans have not been prepared. An
aerial photograph of the site is not available.
The current status of the project, including existing and proposed
zoning I adjacent zoning I densities I and existing and proposed land
use,has been discussed in the draft: Environmental Impact Report. The
est.imated population I number of bedrooms I cost of units, precise
construction and grading methods I appearance I elevation I and per-
spectives cannot be discussed since development plans for Alga Glens
have not been prepared.
Information concerning adjacent developments has been suppLied in
the draft Environmental Impact Report. There are no future phases or
extensions of the project I nor w.ill any other projects be dependent on
the development of Alga Glens. No projects in the surrounding area
will exert a major influence on Alga Glens or will be significantly
influenced by the proposed project.
ENVIRONMENTAL SETTING
Hydrologic Conditions
Runoff from the subject property wili flow into San Marcos Creek I
located approx.imately one-half mile south of the project site 0 According
to the San Diego County Department of Sanitation and Flood Control, the
lOa-year design flow of San Marcos Creek is 12 ,000 cubic feet per
second. A high water table may be anticipated in some reaches of San
Marco's Creek, but it is not expected to affect the project site I which is
approximately 140 feet above the stream bed.
Additional information concerning water quality and storm runoff has been
supplied in the draft Environmental Impact Report.
Atmospheric Conditions -~:. '
During the winter, air masses surrounding the project site are influenced
by low pressure cells which enter the area as high pressure cells are
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Mr. Paul Williams Page 3 June 14 I 1973
displaced. The movement of air masses is significantly reduced during
the summer when the high pressure pattern is more stable. When in ....
versions occur I airborne emissions are trapped I and thus a decrease in
air quality results. The main source of airborne emissions is from
automobile pollutants. There are no public facilities ~ recreation areas I
or wildlife areas near the project site which would be particularly sen-
sitive to atmospheric pollutants from the additional automobile em.issions.
Socio-Economic Setting
Migrational trends I population characteristics I and employment oppor-
tunities cannot be discussed since specific development plans for Alga
Glens have not been prepared.
The impact of the proposed project on public service programs has been
discussed in the draft Environmental Impact Report.
Existing and Planned Land Uses
The current land use for the project site and surrounding areas was dis-'
cussed in the draft Environmental Impact Report.
The subject property is not yet included within the Carlsbad General
.Plan. Under the San Dieguito General Plan I the project site is designated
for medium density housing (3.3 to 5.4 dwelling units per acre). Under
the San Diego County General Plan for 1990 I the site is designated rural
residential ..
Access and Circulation Pattern
A traffic analysis has been provided in the draft Environmental Impact
Report.
ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACTS
The proposed project will have the indirect effect of increasing tbe assessed
value of the agricultural land to the north. As the value of this undeveloped
land increases I the landowner becomes burdened with increased taxes I and
the use of the land for agriculture becomes less attractive •. Future dev~lop
ment of Alga Glens will increase the area's population and result in additional
demands being placed on schools I utilities I and public services. These
impacts have been discussed .in the draft Environmental Impact Report.
Changes in property assessments I revenues I income to the community I
opportunities to socio-economic groups I and the cost effectiveness of the.
project cannot be discussed since no plans for the development of Alga
Glens have been prepared.
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Mr. Paul Williams Page 4 June 14, 1973
Mitigation Measures
Mitigation measures have been discussed in the draft Environmental
Impact Report.
Alternatives
Additional Alternatives to the proposed project, not discussed in the
I draft Environmental Impact Report r include use of the land for the
growing of agricultural crops r and the construction of single-family .
units in the place of multi-family structures. Use of the site for the
growing of truck crops or field grown cut flowers would burden the
landowner with additional taxes as surrounding land values continue to
increase. The small amount of land involved in the proposed project
and the irregularity of the terrain would further inhibit agricultural
development.
Development of the project site for single-family units or development
at a lower density would not be econom.i.cally feasible since grading
costs and per unit costs would be prohibitive. The construction of single-
fam.ily units would not appreciably diminish the number of impacts on the
environment.
IRREVERSIBLE ENVIRONMENTAL CHANGES
Atmospheric
It is anticipated that with future development of the subject property I
additional pollutants will be added to the earth's atmosphere. As future
scientific advances cannot be predicted1 it is impossible to classify this
impact as either reversible or irreversible.
Sonic
The sound level of the area will increase with future residential develop-
ment. The level of noise will remain within the Jlclearly acceptable II or
IInormally acceptable 1I range as prescribed by the United States Department
of Housing and Urban Development. .
Socio-Economic
Socio-economic changes cannot be assessed since developmE?nt plans for
Alga Glens have not been prepared.
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Mr. Paul Williams Page 5 June 14 oF 1 973
Drainage
Storm runoff from the subject property will increase due to the
introduction of impervious surfaces such as buildings s driveways., and
other paved areas.
Land Alteration
Land alteration changes were discussed .in the draft Environmental
Impact Report.
If further questions should arise I please let me know so that we may
continue with the processing of this project.
Sincerely I
~o~
Rick Odiorne
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