Initial Study Mitigated Negative Declaration Jamboree Road (Main to Barranca) Widening Project

Transcription

1 Initial Study Mitigated Negative Declaration Jamboree Road (Main to Barranca) Widening Project Prepared for: CITY OF IRVINE PUBLIC WORKS One Civic Center Plaza P.O. Box Irvine, CA Prepared by: CHAMBERS GROUP, INC. 5 Hutton Centre Drive, Suite 750 Santa Ana, California (949) June 2017

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3 TABLE OF CONTENTS Draft Mitigated Negative Declaration... iii Initial Study And Environmental Evaluation... 1 Environmental Factors Affected... 8 Determination... 8 Evaluation Of Environmental s:... 9 Introduction I. Aesthetics II. Agriculture And Forest Resources III. Air Quality IV. Biological Resources V. Cultural Resources VI. Geology And Soils VII. Greenhouse Gas Emissions VIII. Hazards And Hazardous Materials IX. Hydrology And Water Quality X. Land Use And Planning XI. Mineral Resources XII. ise XIII. Population And Housing XIV. Public Services XV. Recreation XVI. Transportation/Traffic XVII. Utilities And Service Systems XVIII. Mandatory Findings Of Significance Page IS/MND Page i

4 Exhibit LIST OF EXHIBITS Page 1. Regional Location Map... iv 2. Location Map... v 3. Jamboree Road/Main Street Jamboree Road/Kelvin Avenue Jamboree Road rth of Kelvin Avenue, south of McGaw Avenue Jamboree Road/McGaw Avenue Jamboree Road/Alton Parkway Jamboree Road/Richter Avenue Jamboree Road/Beckman Avenue/Barranca Parkway... 7 APPENDICES Appendix A: Air Quality and Greenhouse Gases Analysis Appendix B: Biological Resources Technical Report Appendix C: Cultural Resources Appendix D: Jurisdictional Delineation Report Appendix E: ise Analysis Appendix F: Traffic Analysis IS/MND Page ii

5 CITY OF IRVINE PUBLIC WORKS DRAFT MITIGATED NEGATIVE DECLARATION FOR JAMBOREE ROAD MAIN TO BARRANCA WIDENING PROJECT I. Location and Brief Project Description Introduction Jamboree Road is an eight-lane major arterial roadway that runs parallel to the State Route (SR-) 55 freeway and is a major north-south connector to the City of Irvine s east-west major arterial roadways. The proposed roadway widening project (Project) adds a fifth northbound through lane and a fifth southbound through lane on Jamboree Road, Main to Barranca, from approximately 2,000 feet south of Main Street to approximately 2,000 feet north of Barranca Parkway. Background Jamboree Road is a significant roadway to the City s Irvine Business Complex (IBC), which is a major employment hub serving surrounding communities within the City of Irvine and the County of Orange. The 2010 IBC Vision Plan, adopted in 2010, provides the land use policy and regulatory framework for the development of this area. The Final Environmental Report (EIR) for the 2010 IBC Vision Plan identified mitigation measures to address the potential traffic and circulation impacts of the buildout of the IBC. In January 2016, the first five-year 2010 IBC Vision Plan Traffic Update (amended to every two years in October 2015) was prepared which re-evaluates traffic conditions (and traffic impact locations) based on how development actually occurred over the previous five years. The existing (2015) Average Daily Traffic (ADT) on Jamboree Road (Main to Barranca) is approximately 62,000 trips per day. The projected ADT post 2035 is forecast to be 71,000 trips per day with a level of service of (LOS E). The proposed Project would improve the LOS E to C (0.7573) by adding a fifth northbound through lane and a fifth southbound through lane on Jamboree Road (Appendix E Traffic Analysis). Project Improvements The proposed roadway widening project adds a fifth northbound through lane and a fifth southbound through lane on Jamboree Road, Main to Barranca, from approximately 2,000 feet south of Main Street to approximately 2,000 feet north of Barranca Parkway. The Project would acquire land on both sides of the existing roadway by widening the same distance from the existing roadway centerline. Staff will facilitate variance applications if desired by land owners to mitigate setback or other project-related impacts. II. Measures Included in the Project to Avoid Effects The potential for significant environmental effects was identified for Cultural Resources (low potential to encounter archaeological and/or tribal cultural resources during construction). Project mitigation measures are discussed in Section V.b (Cultural Resources) of the Initial Study. Finding of Effect Based on the attached draft Initial Study, it has been determined that the Project will not have a significant effect on the environment with the identified mitigation measures incorporated. IS/MND Page iii

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7 Project Area Jamboree Road = Project Site = 1/4 Mile Study Area Project Area Miles Project Located on USGS Tustin 7.5 Min. Quadrangle Service Layer Credits: Sources: Esri, HERE, DeLorme, USGS, Intermap, increment P Corp., NRCAN, Esri Japan, METI, Esri China (Hong Kong), Esri (Thailand), MapmyIndia, OpenStreetMap contributors, and the GIS User Community

8 CITY OF IRVINE INITIAL STUDY AND ENVIRONMENTAL EVALUATION 1. Project Title: Jamboree Road Main to Barranca Widening Project 2. Lead Agency Name and Address: City of Irvine One Civic Center Plaza P.O. Box Irvine, CA Project Sponsor s Name and Address: City of Irvine Public Works One Civic Center Plaza P.O. Box Irvine, CA Contact Person and Phone Number: Thomas Perez, PE CIP Administrator (949) Project Location: Jamboree Road from approximately 2,000 feet south of Main Street to approximately 2,000 feet north of Barranca Parkway. 6. General Plan Designation: Major Highway 8 Lanes within Urban and Industrial area 7. Zoning Designation: IBC Mixed Use 8. Description of Project: Introduction Jamboree Road is an eight-lane major arterial roadway that runs parallel to the SR-55 freeway and is a major north-south connector to the City s east-west major arterial roadways. The proposed roadway widening project adds a fifth northbound through lane and a fifth southbound through lane on Jamboree Road from approximately 2,000 feet south of Main Street to approximately 2,000 feet north of Barranca Parkway. Background Jamboree Road is a significant roadway to the City s Irvine Business Complex (IBC), which is a major employment hub serving surrounding communities within the City of Irvine and the County of Orange. The 2010 IBC Vision Plan, adopted in 2010, provides the land use policy and regulatory framework for the development of this area. The Final EIR for the 2010 IBC Vision Plan identified mitigation measures to address the potential traffic and circulation impacts of the buildout of the IBC. In January 2016, the first five-year 2010 IBC Vision Plan Traffic Update (amended to every two years in October 2015) was prepared which re-evaluates traffic conditions (and traffic impact locations) based on how development actually occurred over the previous five years. The existing (2015) Average Daily Traffic (ADT) on Jamboree Road (Main to Barranca) is approximately 62,000 trips per day. The projected ADT post 2035 is forecasted to be 71,000 trips per day with a level of service of (LOS E). The proposed Project would improve the LOS E to C (0.7573) by adding a fifth northbound through lane and a fifth southbound through lane on Jamboree Road. Several improvement alternatives have been prepared and reviewed by the City. Each alternative is similar in nature (widens northbound and southbound Jamboree Road) but differs in the impacts to IS/MND Page 1

9 utilities, the Barranca Channel, landscaping, right-of-way, traffic signal modifications, and off-site effects. The Project, described below, provides the most benefit while minimizing the impacts. Project Improvements The proposed roadway widening project adds a fifth northbound through lane and a fifth southbound through lane on Jamboree Road, Main to Barranca, from approximately 2,000 feet south of Main Street to approximately 2,000 feet north of Barranca Parkway. The Project would acquire land on both sides of the existing roadway by widening the same distance from the existing roadway centerline. Staff will facilitate variance applications if desired by land owners to mitigate setback or other project-related impacts. Exhibit 3 through Exhibit 9 display the proposed Project improvements by roadway segments, and details of the exhibits below highlight the location for proposed improvements. Construction activities along these segments include construction of concrete curbs and gutters, curb ramps, concrete sidewalks, Asphalt Rubber Hot Mix (ARHM), Filtera Box Systems, catch basins, local depressions, and resurfacing of slurry seal type. Exhibit 3: Jamboree Road/Main Street: Facing north on Jamboree Road on Main Street, Courtyard Marriot is located to the left and Camden Apartments located on the right on Jamboree Road. Construction activities will include resurfacing with slurry seal and constructing concrete curb and gutter, concrete sidewalk, ARHM, Filtera Box System, catch basin, and local depression. Proposed right-of-way (ROW) acquisition area will total approximately 2,287 square feet. Exhibit 4: Jamboree Road/Kelvin Avenue: Facing north on Jamboree Road toward Kelvin Avenue, the Orange County Flood Control District (OCFCD) Channel is located to the left, with Sofi Apartments north of the channel and Lumexis Corporation, a commercial center, located on the right of Jamboree Road. Construction activities will include resurfacing with slurry seal and constructing concrete curb and gutter, curb ramp, concrete sidewalks, ARHM, ARHM pavement, Filtera Box System, catch basin, and local depressions. Proposed ROW acquisition area will total approximately 30,926 square feet. Exhibit 5: Jamboree Road rth of Kelvin Avenue and South of McGaw Avenue: Facing north on Jamboree Road with Kelvin Avenue to the south, manufacturing facilities and the AT&T Data Center are located to the left of Jamboree, while an open lot under construction is located on the right on Jamboree Road. Construction activities will include resurfacing with slurry seal and constructing concrete curb and gutter, concrete sidewalk, and ARHM pavement. Proposed ROW acquisition area will total approximately 36,904 square feet. Exhibit 6: Jamboree Road/McGaw Avenue: Facing north on corner of McGaw Avenue and Jamboree Road, offices are located on the left corner, with Irvine Onnuri Church and parking lot on the right corner of McGaw Avenue and Jamboree Road. Facing north from McGaw Avenue and Jamboree Road, Free Chapel OC and TriMark Raygal are to the right. Construction activities will include resurfacing with slurry seal and constructing concrete curb and gutter, curb ramp, concrete sidewalk, and ARHM pavement. Proposed ROW acquisition area will total approximately 54,815 square feet. Exhibit 7: Jamboree Road/Alton Parkway: Facing north on Jamboree Road toward Alton Parkway is the Diamond Jamboree Center to the left and Public Storage to the right before Alton Parkway. Construction activities will include resurfacing with slurry seal and constructing concrete curb and gutter, curb ramp, concrete sidewalk, ARHM pavement, Filtera Box System, catch basin, and local depression. Proposed ROW acquisition area will total approximately 20,832 square feet. Exhibit 8: Jamboree Road/Richter Avenue: Facing north, on the left going northbound are Avalon Apartments and multiple office buildings to the right. Construction activities will include resurfacing with slurry seal and constructing concrete curb and gutter, curb ramp, concrete sidewalk, ARHM pavement, Filtera Box System, catch basin, local depression, and IS/MND Page 2

10 parabolic curb transition. Proposed ROW acquisition area will total approximately 11,923 square feet. Exhibit 9: Jamboree Road/Beckman Avenue/Barranca Parkway: Facing north on Jamboree Road toward Beckman Avenue and north of Richter Avenue, facilities that are present are Olen offices, Pao Fa Buddhist Temple, and multiple commercial offices. Facing north of Beckman Avenue on Jamboree Road are Balda C. Brewer, Inc. and commercial offices to the left with medical offices, retail offices, and fast-food chain restaurants such as El Pollo Loco and McDonald s to the right of Jamboree Road, south of Barranca Parkway. Construction activities will include resurfacing with slurry seal and constructing concrete curb and gutter, curb ramp, concrete sidewalk, ARHM pavement, Filtera Box System, catch basin, local depression, and parabolic curb transition. Proposed ROW acquisition area will total approximately 15,249 square feet. The overall length of the Project study area along Jamboree Road is approximately 1.2 miles. The proposed improvements within the project study area include street widening to provide additional travel lanes, traffic signal modifications, center median modifications, construction of a new retaining wall, utility modifications, parkway improvements, and box culvert widening over the flood control channel. As the Project is presently proposed, additional street right-of-way would be required along the east and west sides of Jamboree Road to accommodate the ultimate improvements. Temporary construction easements would be sought to accommodate construction along the east and west sides of Jamboree Road. During construction, intermittent lane closures would be required on Jamboree Road. The construction is expected to occur separately on each side of the street. 9. Surrounding Land Uses and Setting: The Project site is located along Jamboree Road from points from approximately 2,000 feet south of Main Street to 2,000 feet north of Barranca Parkway. Jamboree Road is a significant roadway to the City s IBC, which is a major employment hub servicing surrounding communities within the City of Irvine and County of Orange. The IBC is an urban regional mixed-use center providing the City with a regional economic and employment base, including hotel, restaurant, commercial, retail, industrial, and office as well as residential uses. The segment of Jamboree Road between Main Street and Barranca Parkway includes many of these various uses. As shown in Exhibits 3 through 9, the existing development within the Project site consists predominantly of multi-family residences, commercial centers and office space, fast-food chain restaurants, and other commercial or institutional uses such as public storage and the Pao Fa Buddhist Temple. 10. Other Public Agencies Whose Approval is Required: Roadway widening activities that may encroach into the Barranca Channel would require approval from the Orange County Flood Control District. The following water permits may be required for the effects to Barranca Channel: 1. U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Section 404 Clean Water Act Permit 2. Regional Water Quality Control Board Section 401 Water Quality Certification 3. California Department of Fish and Game Section 1602 Streambed Alteration Agreement IS/MND Page 3

11 Jamboree Rd Legend SH_HATCH_FULL AC PVMT Centerline Parcel Line Proposed Right of Way Right of Way (old) Pedestrian Connectivity Maintained throughout Construction Feet Exhibit 3 Jamboree Road/Main Street Name: ISMND Exh 3-8 Roadway Plans_rev2.Mxd Print Date: 6/2/2017, Author: msimmons

12 Jamboree Rd Kelvin Ave Legend SH_HATCH_FULL AC PVMT Centerline Parcel Line Proposed Right of Way Right of Way (old) Pedestrian Connectivity Maintained throughout Construction Feet Exhibit 4 Jamboree Road/Kelvin Avenue Name: ISMND Exh 3-8 Roadway Plans_rev2.Mxd Print Date: 6/2/2017, Author: msimmons

13 Jamboree Rd Legend SH_HATCH_FULL AC PVMT Centerline Parcel Line Proposed Right of Way Pedestrian Connectivity Maintained throughout Construction Feet Exhibit 5 Jamboree Road rth of Kelvin Avenue, South of McGaw Avenue Name: ISMND Exh 3-8 Roadway Plans_rev2.Mxd Print Date: 6/2/2017, Author: msimmons

14 McGaw Ave Jamboree Rd Legend SH_HATCH_FULL AC PVMT Centerline Parcel Line Proposed Right of Way Pedestrian Connectivity Maintained throughout Construction Feet Exhibit 6 Jamboree Road/McGaw Avenue Name: ISMND Exh 3-8 Roadway Plans_rev2.Mxd Print Date: 6/2/2017, Author: msimmons

15 Jamboree Rd Alton Pkwy Alton Pkwy Legend SH_HATCH_FULL AC PVMT Centerline Proposed Right of Way Pedestrian Connectivity Maintained throughout Construction Feet Exhibit 7 Jamboree Road/Alton Parkway Name: ISMND Exh 3-8 Roadway Plans_rev2.Mxd Print Date: 6/2/2017, Author: msimmons

16 Richter Ave Jamboree Rd Legend SH_HATCH_FULL AC PVMT Centerline Parcel Line Proposed Right of Way Pedestrian Connectivity Maintained throughout Construction Feet Exhibit 8 Jamboree Road/Richter Avenue Name: ISMND Exh 3-8 Roadway Plans_rev2.Mxd Print Date: 6/2/2017, Author: msimmons

17 Beckman Ave Jamboree Rd Barranca Pkwy Legend SH_HATCH_FULL AC PVMT Centerline City Boundary Parcel Line Proposed Right of Way Feet Exhibit 9 Jamboree Road/Beckman Avenue/ Barranca Parkway Name: ISMND Exh 9 Roadway Plans_rev2.Mxd Print Date: 6/2/2017, Author: msimmons

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19 Evaluation of Environmental s: 1) A brief explanation is required for all answers except answers that are adequately supported by the information sources a lead agency cites in the parentheses following each question. A answer is adequately supported if the referenced information sources show that the impact simply does not apply to projects like the one involved (e.g., the project falls outside a fault rupture zone). A answer should be explained where it is based on project-specific factors as well as general standards (e.g., the project will not expose sensitive receptors to pollutants, based on a project-specific screening analysis). 2) All answers must take account of the whole action involved, including off-site as well as on-site, cumulative as well as project-level, indirect as well as direct, and construction as well as operational impacts. 3) Once the lead agency has determined that a particular physical impact may occur, then the checklist answers must indicate whether the impact is potentially significant, less than significant with mitigation, or less than significant. is appropriate if there is substantial evidence that an effect may be significant. If there are one or more entries when the determination is made, an EIR is required. 4) Negative Declaration: With Incorporated applies where the incorporation of mitigation measures has reduced an effect from to a. The lead agency must describe the mitigation measures, and briefly explain how they reduce the effect to a less than significant level (mitigation measures from Section XVII, Earlier Analyses, may be cross referenced). 5) Earlier analyses may be used where, pursuant to the tiering, program EIR, or other CEQA process, an affect has been adequately analyzed in an earlier EIR or negative declaration. Section (c)(3)(D). In this case, a brief discussion should identify the following: a) Earlier Analysis Used. Identify and state where they are available for review. b) s 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) Measures. For effects that are Less than with Measures 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. 6) Lead agencies are encouraged to incorporate into the checklist references to information sources for potential impacts (e.g., general plans, zoning ordinances). Reference to a previously prepared or outside document should, where appropriate, include a reference to the page or pages where the statement is substantiated. 7) Supporting Information Sources: A source list should be attached, and other sources used or individuals contacted should be cited in the discussion. 8) This is only a suggested form, and lead agencies are free to use different formats; however, lead agencies should normally address the questions from this checklist that are relevant to a project s environmental effects in whatever format is selected. 9)The explanation of each issue should identify: a) The significance criteria or threshold, if any, used to evaluate each question; and b) The mitigation measure identified, if any, to reduce the impact to less than significance. IS/MND Page 9

20 Introduction The Project site is located within the Irvine Business Complex (IBC); the IBC is designated as Planning Area 36 and is located along the western edge of the City of Irvine (City). The Project site extends from approximately 2,000 feet south of Main Street and approximately 2,000 feet north of Barranca Parkway. The City developed the IBC Residential/Mixed-Use Vision Plan and Overlay Zoning Code development standards ( IBC Vision Plan ) to facilitate the continued evolution of the IBC from solely office, industrial, and commercial uses into a fully mixed-use business and residential community. The City prepared a Draft Program Environmental Report (DEIR) and a Final Program EIR (FEIR) to address the environmental effects associated with the implementation of the IBC Vision Plan. After certification of the IBC Final EIR and approval of the IBC Vision Plan it was adopted as Element N in the City s General Plan. The IBC Vision Plan represents policy direction to create a neighborhood framework for the IBC, while the overlay zone and related code amendments create development standards for new residential and mixed-use development to ensure proper integration of these uses into the planned neighborhood framework. The is intended to improve roadway system levels of service with the addition of a fifth lane in each direction. The City has determined that the best way to analyze the environmental effects of the proposed Project is to prepare a new environmental evaluation that specifically focuses on the impacts of the proposed Project. The environmental data presented in the IBC Final EIR is referenced throughout this environmental document where there is a clear nexus of information. IS/MND Page 10

21 With I. AESTHETICS Would the project: a) Have a substantial adverse effect on a scenic vista? (Source: City of Irvine General Plan, Irvine Business Complex Element; City of Irvine CEQA Manual Volume II Technical Appendices, Aesthetics and Visual Resources page 3.1-5) Aesthetics represents natural and man-made visual resources and recognizes the quality and visual perception of the visual environment. Visual resources range from rural regions and wildlands to urban centers. Visual resources within the City include the Santiago Hills and San Joaquin Hills, which have ridgelines that can be seen from various vantage points throughout the City. The proposed Project is a roadway widening project on Jamboree Road, within a developed area of the City. The existing buildings that line both sides of Jamboree Road within the project study area effectively block distal views of the Santiago and San Joaquin hills. The proposed Project would not physically affect the Santiago and San Joaquin hills ridgelines, and project features would not obstruct views of or from the Santiago and San Joaquin hills. Therefore, no impact would occur to scenic vistas. b) Substantially damage scenic resources, including, but not limited to, trees, rock outcroppings, and historic buildings within a State scenic highway? (Source: City of Irvine General Plan, Irvine Business Complex Element; California Scenic Highway Mapping System; City of Irvine General Plan Land Use Element, Figure A-4, Scenic Highways; City of Irvine CEQA Manual Volume II Technical Appendices, Aesthetics and Visual Resources page and Table 3.1-2) officially designated or eligible State scenic highways are within the City boundary or in proximity to the City. The closest designated State scenic highway is Pacific Coast Highway (State Highway 1). Jamboree Road s southern terminus is at State Highway 1 approximately 5⅓ miles south of the Project site. The proposed Project would not physically affect the Jamboree Road/State Highway 1 intersection and would not be visible from the nearest State scenic highway. Therefore, no impact would occur to views of scenic resources (such as trees, rock outcroppings, and historic buildings) within a State scenic highway. The Land Use Element of the City of Irvine General Plan designated four roadways that traverse the City as Locally Designated Scenic Highways with either Scenic Highways of Rural or Natural Character or Scenic Highways of Urban Character. Jamboree Road does not intersect any of the four designated scenic roadways and is not designated as a highway of Urban, Rural, or Natural Character. Therefore, no impact would occur to a Locally Designated Scenic Highway. Numerous natural watercourses run through the City. The natural portions of these watercourses are a visual resource within the City. Barranca Channel and San Diego Creek are the two water features closest to the Project site. Barranca Channel crosses under Jamboree Road approximately 625 feet north of Main Street within the Project site, and San Diego Creek crosses under Main Street approximately 1,265 feet east of Jamboree Road. Barranca Channel is mainly a man-made feature and is not a visual resource. San Diego Creek near Main Street IS/MND Page 11

22 With has a natural sandy creek bed that is approximately 180 feet wide; no vegetation is allowed to grow within the creek bed area in order to maintain its function as a flood control facility. San Diego Creek is a visual resource in the City; however, San Diego Creek is not within the Project site. The proposed Project would add a fifth northbound through lane and a fifth southbound through lane on Jamboree Road. Roadway widening construction activities may encroach into the Barranca Channel; however, construction activities will be short-term. Since Barranca Channel is not a visual resource, the widening of Jamboree Road will not affect a scenic resource. Since the proposed Project is not located within a State scenic highway, and no identifiable historical/archaeological landform sites or rock outcroppings are present, no impact to scenic resources within a State scenic highway would occur. c) Substantially degrade the existing visual character or quality of the site and its surroundings? (Source: City of Irvine General Plan, IBC Vision Plan Element; and numerous site visits between May 2016 and August 2016) The existing visual character along Jamboree Road within the Project site is composed of nonnative landscaping along both sides of the roadway and within the median. Fairly tall trees and shrubs provide landscaping for the residential and commercial structures that line both sides of the street. View looking northbound along Jamboree Road from Main Street: The proposed Project would add a fifth northbound through lane and a fifth southbound through lane on Jamboree Road from approximately 2,000 feet south of Main Street to approximately 2,000 feet north of Barranca Parkway. During construction, the presence of construction equipment and activities would temporarily disrupt views. After construction, the resulting views and scenery within the Project site would be similar to existing conditions. Because construction is temporary, impacts would be less than significant. In order to accommodate the added lanes, any trees that are within the new proposed right-ofway will be removed; any remaining trees will remain on private property. Improvements associated with the widening would include landscaping that matches the existing vegetation, which includes a small percentage of trees and ornamental landscapes along Jamboree Road. Because a large portion of the existing trees would remain, the visual character of the area will remain as it is currently: predominantly views of a large, arterial street surrounded by mixed uses such as multi-family residential, commercial centers, office buildings, and other development of similar size and scale. In addition, project plans include a landscape plan that will provide new trees, shrubs, and groundcover within what will be public right of way, which will help mitigate impacts to the loss of trees and other landscaping that might be displaced by the proposed Project. Additionally, retaining walls will be added along the east side of Jamboree Road. The retaining walls would be consistent in size, scale, and coloring with the visual character in the project vicinity. The physical changes being made to this section of Jamboree Road would maintain the existing visual character of the Project site. Therefore, long-term impacts will not occur, and short-term construction impacts will be less than significant. IS/MND Page 12

23 d) Create a new source of substantial light or glare which would adversely affect day or nighttime views in the area? With (Source: City of Irvine General Plan, Irvine Business Complex Element; and numerous site visits between May 2016 and August 2016) As a result of site visits conducted in the Project site, existing fixed sources of light within the project study area are the street lights located within the medians and along the curbs, building lighting, landscape lighting, and signs (City of Irvine). reflective surfaces in the Project site are a source of glare. The proposed Project would remove and relocate the street lights within public right-of-way along the curbs. The proposed Project would not introduce any new source of glare. While no sources of substantial light or glare would adversely impact the area, construction activities, including removal and relocation of streetlights, may cause some temporary and intermittent light redirection. Therefore, a less than significant impact would occur. II. AGRICULTURE AND FOREST 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. In determining whether impacts to forest resources, including timberland, are significant environmental effects, lead agencies may refer to information compiled by the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection regarding the State s inventory of forest land, including the Forest and Range Assessment Project and the Forest Legacy Assessment project; and forest carbon measurement methodology provided in Forest Protocols adopted by the California Air Resources Board. 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? (Source: City of Irvine General Plan, Conservation and Open Space Element Figure L-2) agricultural zoning or operations exist within the vicinity of the Project site, and the proposed Project site is not designated as Prime Farmland, Unique Farmland, or Farmland of Statewide Importance. The proposed Project would not result in the conversion of Farmland to nonagricultural use. Therefore, no impact would occur. IS/MND Page 13

24 b) Conflict with existing zoning for agricultural use, or a Williamson Act contract? With (Source: City of Irvine General Plan, Conservation and Open Space Element Figure L-2) The proposed Project would not affect agricultural uses because the Project site is not located on land zoned or designated for agricultural use. Thus, no Williamson Act contracts are present on lands within the Project site. Therefore, no impact would occur. c) Conflict with existing zoning for, or cause rezoning of, forest land (as defined in Public Resources Code section 12220(g)), timberland (as defined by Public Resources Code section 4526), or timberland zoned Timberland Production (as defined by Government Code section 51104(g))? (Source: City of Irvine General Plan, Conservation and Open Space Element Figure L-2) The proposed Project would not affect forest land, timberland, or timberland production because no areas in (IBC) Planning Area 36 are zoned or designated for these uses. The Project site is located in a fully urbanized section of the City. Therefore, no impact would occur. d) Result in the loss of forest land or conversion of forest land to non-forest use? (Source: City of Irvine General Plan, Conservation and Open Space Element Figure L-2) The proposed Project would not affect forest land because no areas in (IBC) Planning Area 36 are zoned or designated for this use. Therefore, no impact would occur. e) Involve other changes in the existing environment which, due to their location or nature, could result in conversion of Farmland, to nonagricultural use or conversion of forest land to nonforest use? (Source: City of Irvine General Plan, Conservation and Open Space Element Figure L-2) The proposed Project would not affect farmland or forest land because no areas in (IBC) Planning Area 36 are zoned or designated for these uses. The Project site is in a fully urbanized section of the City. Therefore, no impact would occur. IS/MND Page 14

25 III. AIR QUALITY With 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? (Source: Air Quality and Greenhouse Gas Emissions Analysis Jamboree Road Widening from Main Street to Barranca Parkway, prepared by Vista Environmental, October 2016, as Appendix A) The South Coast Air Quality Management District (SCAQMD) California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) Handbook states that New or amended GP Elements (including land use zoning and density amendments), Specific Plans, and significant projects must be analyzed for consistency with the AQMP. A proposed project should be considered to be consistent with the AQMP if it furthers one or more policies and does not obstruct other policies. The SCAQMD CEQA Handbook identifies two key indicators of consistency: Both of these criteria are evaluated in the following sections. Criterion 1 - Increase in the Frequency or Severity of Violations? Based on the air quality modeling analysis contained in the Air Quality and Greenhouse Gas Emissions Analysis Report (Air Quality Report), short-term regional construction air emissions would not result in significant impacts based on SCAQMD regional thresholds of significance or local thresholds of significance (See Sections 6.1 and 6.2 of the Air Quality Report). The ongoing operation of the proposed Project would generate air pollutant emissions that are inconsequential on a regional basis and would not result in significant impacts based on SCAQMD thresholds of significance as discussed in Section 6.1 of the Air Quality Report. The analysis for long-term local air quality impacts showed that local pollutant concentrations would not be projected to exceed the air quality standards. Therefore, no long-term impact would occur, and no mitigation would be required. Therefore, based on the information provided above, the proposed Project would be consistent with the first criterion. Criterion 2 - Exceed Assumptions in the AQMP? Consistency with the AQMP assumptions is determined by performing an analysis of the proposed project with the assumptions in the AQMP. The emphasis of this criterion is to ensure that the analyses conducted for the proposed project are based on the same forecasts as the AQMP. The Regional Transportation/Sustainable Communities Strategy consists of three sections: Core Chapters, Ancillary Chapters, and Bridge Chapters. The Growth Management, Regional Mobility, Air Quality, Water Quality, and Hazardous Waste Management chapters constitute the Core Chapters of the document. These chapters currently respond directly to federal and State requirements placed on the Southern California Association of Governments (SCAG). Local governments are required to use these as the basis of their plans for purposes of consistency with applicable regional plans under CEQA. For this Project, the City of Irvine Land Use Plan defines the assumptions that are represented in the AQMP. IS/MND Page 15

26 With The proposed Project consists of a roadway project that is within and immediately adjacent to the existing rights-of-way for Jamboree Road and the cross streets within the project study area. The proposed Project is consistent with the current land use designation and zoning and could require only minor land use and zoning adjustments. As such, the proposed Project is not anticipated to exceed the AQMP assumptions for the Project site and is found to be consistent with the AQMP for the second criterion. Based on the above, the proposed Project will not result in an inconsistency with the SCAQMD AQMP. Therefore, a less than significant impact will occur in relation to implementation of the AQMP. b) Violate any air quality standard or contribute substantially to an existing or projected air quality violation? (Source: Air Quality and Greenhouse Gas Emissions Analysis Jamboree Road Widening from Main Street to Barranca Parkway, prepared by Vista Environmental, October 2016, as Appendix A) Construction Emissions The proposed Project would consist of the widening of Jamboree Road between Main Street and Barranca Parkway through the addition of a fifth northbound lane and a fifth southbound lane. The construction emissions have been analyzed for both regional and local air quality impacts as well as for potential toxic air impacts. Construction-Related Regional s The CalEEMod model has been utilized to calculate the construction-related regional emissions from the proposed Project, and the input parameters utilized in this analysis have been detailed in Section 5.1 of the Air Quality Report. The worst-case summer or winter daily constructionrelated criteria pollutant emissions from the proposed Project for each phase of construction activities are shown in Table I of the report, Appendix A, and the CalEEMod daily printouts. Table I of the Air Quality Report shows that none of the analyzed criteria pollutants would exceed the regional emissions thresholds. Therefore, a less than significant regional air quality impact would occur from construction of the proposed Project. Construction-Related Local s Construction-related air emissions may have the potential to exceed the State and federal air quality standards in the project vicinity, even though these pollutant emissions may not be significant enough to create a regional impact to the South Coast Air Basin (Air Basin). The local air quality emissions from construction were analyzed through utilizing the methodology described in Localized Significance Threshold Methodology (LST Methodology), prepared by SCAQMD, revised October The LST Methodology found the primary criteria pollutant emissions of concern are nitrogen oxides (NOx), carbon monoxide (CO), and particulate matter less than 10 micrometers in diameter (PM10) and less than 2.5 micrometers in diameter (PM2.5). In order to determine if any of these pollutants require a detailed analysis of the local air quality impacts, each phase of construction was screened using the SCAQMD s Mass Rate LST Look-up Tables. The Look-up Tables were developed by the SCAQMD in order IS/MND Page 16

27 With to readily determine if the daily on-site emissions of CO, NOx, PM10, and PM2.5 from the proposed Project could result in a significant impact to the local air quality. Table J of the Air Quality Report shows the on-site emissions from the CalEEMod model for the different construction phases and the calculated emissions thresholds that have been detailed in Section 6.2 of the Air Quality Report. The data provided in Table J shows that none of the analyzed criteria pollutants would exceed the local emissions thresholds for any phase of construction. Therefore, a less than significant local air quality impact would occur from construction of the proposed Project. Operational Emissions The proposed Project would consist of the widening of Jamboree Road between Main Street and Barranca Parkway through the addition of a fifth northbound lane and a fifth southbound lane. The proposed Project would also include relocation of center medians, sidewalks, curbs and gutters, signals, and landscaping. The proposed improvements will provide additional capacity on Jamboree Road. The existing land uses adjacent to Jamboree Road are anticipated to remain unchanged as a result of implementing the proposed Project, and no changes in percentage of truck traffic are anticipated to occur on Jamboree Road from implementation of the proposed Project. In addition, the shortest detours around Jamboree Road would consist of using Von Karmen Avenue to the west, which would result in a 2.7-mile-long detour, or Harvard Avenue to the east, which would also result in a 2.7-mile-detour. Since both alternative routes are almost a mile longer than staying on Jamboree Road and both alternative routes would have more signals than Jamboree Road, no changes in vehicle trips are anticipated to occur with implementation of the proposed Project or the two alternatives. Therefore, if the proposed Project and alternatives can demonstrate that they would reduce delay, which would result in vehicle hours travelled, then it can be assumed that it would also reduce regional vehicle emissions. The vehicle delay from the proposed Project and two alternatives has been compared to the without project ( Build) conditions for both the year 2020 and year 2035 conditions in order to determine if each scenario would result in a reduction of vehicle hours travelled and associated regional air emissions. In addition, all intersections were screened for each scenario in order to determine if a potential CO Hot Spot would occur through implementation of the proposed Project or two alternatives. The SCAQMD recommends performing a CO Hot Spot analysis if an intersection that is rated D or worse increases the volume to capacity ratio by 2 percent as a result of the proposed Project or if LOS declines from C to D as a result of the proposed Project. Proposed Project Year 2020 Conditions A comparison of the Intersection Capacity Utilization (ICU) and Level of Service (LOS) intersection conditions for the year 2020 Build scenario versus the proposed Project conditions is shown in Table K of the Air Quality Report. Table K shows that for the year 2020 conditions, the proposed Project would improve the ICU and LOS at every intersection. As such, implementation of the proposed Project for the year 2020 conditions would result in a reduction of delay at the analyzed intersections and a corresponding reduction in vehicle hours travelled that would result in a reduction in regional vehicle emissions. Therefore, a less than significant regional air quality impact would occur from operation of the proposed Project for the year 2020 conditions. IS/MND Page 17

28 With Table K also shows that for the year 2020 conditions, implementation of the proposed Project would not result in an increase in ICU or LOS at any of the analyzed intersections. As such, implementation of the proposed Project for the year 2020 conditions would not be anticipated to create a CO Hot Spot, since no analyzed intersection would meet SCAQMD s criteria for performing a CO Hot Spot analysis. Therefore, a less than significant local air quality impact would occur from operation of the proposed Project for the year 2020 conditions. Proposed Project Year 2035 Conditions A comparison of the ICU and LOS intersection conditions for the year 2035 Build scenario versus the proposed Project conditions is shown in Table N of the Air Quality Report. Table N shows that for the year 2035 conditions, the proposed Project would improve the ICU at every intersection and would either improve or maintain the LOS at every intersection. As such, implementation of the proposed Project for the year 2035 conditions would result in a reduction of delay at the analyzed intersections and a corresponding reduction in vehicle hours travelled that would result in a reduction in regional vehicle emissions. Therefore, a less than significant regional air quality impact would occur from operation of the proposed Project for the year 2035 conditions. Table K also shows that for the year 2035 conditions, implementation of the proposed Project would not result in an increase in ICU at any of the analyzed intersections and would either improve or maintain the LOS at every intersection. As such, implementation of the proposed Project for the year 2035 conditions would not be anticipated to create a CO Hot Spot, since no analyzed intersection would meet SCAQMD s criteria for performing a CO Hot Spot analysis. Therefore, a less than significant local air quality impact would occur from operation of the proposed Project for the year 2035 conditions. c) Result in a cumulatively considerable net increase of any criteria pollutant for which the project region is nonattainment under an applicable federal or State ambient air quality standard (including releasing emissions which exceed quantitative thresholds for ozone precursors)? (Source: Air Quality and Greenhouse Gas Emissions Analysis Jamboree Road Widening from Main Street to Barranca Parkway, prepared by Vista Environmental, October 2016, as Appendix A) Cumulative projects include local development as well as general growth within the project area. However, as with most development, the greatest source of emissions is from mobile sources, which travel throughout the local area. Therefore, from an air quality standpoint, the cumulative analysis would extend beyond any local projects and, when wind patterns are considered, would cover an even larger area. Accordingly, the cumulative analysis for the project s air quality must be generic by nature. The project area is out of attainment for ozone and PM10 and PM2.5. In accordance with CEQA Guidelines Section 15130(b), this analysis of cumulative impacts incorporates a three-tiered approach to assess cumulative air quality impacts. Consistency with the SCAQMD project-specific thresholds for construction and operations IS/MND Page 18

29 Project consistency with existing air quality plans With Assessment of the cumulative health effects of the pollutants Consistency with Project Specific Thresholds Construction-Related s The Project site is located in the South Coast Air Basin (Air Basin), which is currently designated by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) for federal standards as a nonattainment area for ozone and PM2.5 and by the California Air Resources Board (CARB) for the State standards as a nonattainment area for ozone, PM10, and PM2.5. The regional ozone, PM10, and PM2.5 emissions associated with construction of the proposed Project have been calculated in Section 7.3 of the Air Quality Report. The analysis found that development of the proposed Project would result in less than significant regional emissions of volatile organic compounds (VOCs) and NOx (ozone precursors), PM10, and PM2.5 during construction of the proposed Project. Therefore, a less than significant cumulative impact would occur from construction of the proposed Project. Operations-Related s The greatest cumulative operational impact on the air quality of the Air Basin will be the incremental addition of pollutants mainly from increased traffic from residential, commercial, and industrial development. In accordance with SCAQMD methodology, projects that do not exceed SCAQMD criteria or can be mitigated to less than criteria levels are not significant and do not add to the overall cumulative impact. The regional ozone, PM10, and PM2.5 emissions created from the ongoing operations of the proposed Project have been calculated in Section 7.3 of the Air Quality Report. The analysis found that development of the proposed Project would result in less than significant regional emissions of VOC and NOx (ozone precursors), PM10, and PM2.5 during operation of the proposed Project. With respect to long-term emissions, this Project would create a less than significant cumulative impact. Consistency with Air Quality Plans As detailed in Section 7.2 of the Air Quality Report, the proposed Project consists of a roadway project that is within and immediately adjacent to the existing rights-of-way for Jamboree Road and the cross streets within the project study area. The proposed Project is consistent with the current land use designation and zoning. Therefore, the proposed Project would not result in an inconsistency with the current land use designations with respect to the regional forecasts utilized by the AQMPs. Cumulative Health s The Air Basin is designated as nonattainment for ozone, PM10, and PM2.5, which means that the background levels of those pollutants are at times higher than the ambient air quality standards. The air quality standards were set to protect public health, including the health of sensitive individuals (elderly, children, and the sick). Therefore, when the concentrations of those pollutants exceed the standard, it is likely that some sensitive individuals in the population would experience health effects. The regional analysis detailed in Section 7.3 of the Air Quality Report found that the proposed Project would not exceed the SCAQMD regional significance thresholds for VOC and NOx (ozone precursors), PM10, and PM2.5. As such, the proposed Project would result in a less than significant cumulative health impact. IS/MND Page 19