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HomeMy WebLinkAbout02160029_Recirculated DEIR_PrefaceWest Ming Specific Plan - Recirculated Draft EIR Preface Michael Brandman Associates v H:\Client (PN-JN)\0216\02160029\Recirculated DEIR\02160029_Recirculated DEIR.doc PREFACE On August 31, 2006, the draft environmental impact report (Draft EIR) for the West Ming Specific Plan (State Clearinghouse Number 2005051055) was circulated by the Lead Agency, the City of Bakersfield, for public comments. The comment review period ended on October 14, 2006. Substantive comments were received on several issues addressed in the Draft EIR. A Response to Comments Document was prepared and distributed to the public on December 8, 2006 that includes responses to the various comments that were raised on the environmental information in the Draft EIR. Subsequent to the distribution, additional comments were received on the environmental documentation and additional information has been included in the EIR. The City of Bakersfield Planning Commission held a public hearing on December 21, 2006 and on January 4, 2007 recommended certification of the EIR and approval of the project to the Bakersfield City Council. Prior to the City Council taking action on the EIR and the project, the City decided to recirculate the EIR. Although the City does not consider the new information that has been presented as part of the EIR subsequent to the public distribution of the Draft EIR on August 31, 2006 as “significant”, the City decided to provide the public additional review of the environmental information in the EIR in accordance with Section 15088.5 of the California Environmental Quality Act Guidelines. Therefore, the EIR is distributed to the public as a Recirculated Draft EIR. In accordance with Section 15088.5(g) of the CEQA Guidelines, following is a summary of the revisions that have been made to the previously circulated Draft EIR. In reviewing this recirculated EIR, the public may provide new comments on the entire EIR and the substantive comments will be considered by the City of Bakersfield. DRAFT EIR TEXT Executive Summary (Section 2) To ensure consistency with Sections 5 and 6 of the Draft EIR as well as consistency with the revisions identified in the various responses to comments in this Recirculated Draft EIR, Table 2-1, Executive Summary, in the Draft EIR was revised. Project Description (Section 3) To ensure that the proposed project does not impact the known mineral resources in the area of Crimson 52X-10 well, the project was revised to include a 2.5-acre (330 feet by 330 feet) drilling island. A detailed description of the revision is provided in Response to Comment CRM-1-1 in the Response to Comments Document (see Chapter 2 in this Recirculated Draft EIR). The addition of the drilling island would result in the addition of a drill island to the West Ming Specific Plan thereby Preface West Ming Specific Plan - Recirculated Draft EIR vi Michael Brandman Associates H:\Client (PN-JN)\0216\02160029\Recirculated DEIR\02160029_Recirculated DEIR.doc requiring a reduction in acreage in the residential land use (i.e., low density residential) to 445.5 acres from 448 acres. This acreage is further discussed in Response to Comment S1-6 in the Responses to Comments to the City of Shafter Letter Dated February 7, 2007 (see Chapter 5.6 of this Recirculated Draft EIR). An additional primary discretionary action has been added as discussed in Response to Comment DWR-1 in the Response to Comments Document (see Chapter 2 of this Recirculated Draft EIR). In Section 3.6.1 in the Draft EIR, there is a discussion of numerous Circulation Element amendments that are required with the approval of the West Ming Specific Plan. One of the referenced amendments required a minor modification that described the portion of Renfro Road that needed an amendment. This modification is described on page 5-5 of the Response to Comments Document (see Chapter 2 of this Recirculated Draft EIR). Agricultural Resources (Section 5.1) A new mitigation measure to reduce project impacts due to the conversion of agricultural land was added as described on page 5-4 of the Response to Comments Document (see Chapter 2 of this Recirculated Draft EIR); however, this new mitigation measure was revised as described on pages 2 through 4 of the Second Addendum to Response to Comments for West Ming Specific Plan (see Chapter 4 of this Recirculated Draft EIR). The new mitigation measure reduces the potential impact on agricultural land to the maximum extent feasible and will be substantially lessened; however, the level of impact due to the conversion of agricultural land is still considered significant and unavoidable. Hazards and Hazardous Materials (Section 5.6) Mitigation measure 5.6.G.1 was modified to remove the reference to idle wells as described on page 5-5 of the Response to Comments Document (see Chapter 2 of this Recirculated Draft EIR). In addition, mitigation measure 5.6.F.3 was modified by removing the fourth bullet in this measure which was identified as a setback distance of 1,000 feet. This setback distance was inaccurate and the setback identified in the third bullet was correct which is 100 feet from dwellings (see Chapter 6.8 of this Recirculated Draft EIR). West Ming Specific Plan - Recirculated Draft EIR Preface Michael Brandman Associates vii H:\Client (PN-JN)\0216\02160029\Recirculated DEIR\02160029_Recirculated DEIR.doc Hydrology and Water Quality (Section 5.7) The terminology of the flood hazard areas was modified as discussed on page 4 and 5 of the Third Addendum to Response to Comments Document for West Ming Specific Plan (see Chapter 5 of this Recirculated Draft EIR). In addition, mitigation measure 5.7.A.1 was modified to clarify the process for the Stormwater Pollution Prevention Plan. This modification is provided on page 5 of the Third Addendum to Response to Comments Document for West Ming Specific Plan (see Chapter 5 of this Recirculated Draft EIR). Finally, Exhibits 5.7-1 and 5.7-2 in Section 5.7 of the Draft EIR were revised to accurately depict the flood areas on the project site (as described on page 5 and depicted in Attachment 1 of the Third Addendum to Response to Comments Document for West Ming Specific Plan (see Chapter 5 of this Recirculated Draft EIR). Noise (Section 5.8 and 6.3.8) There were a few revisions to the project-specific and cumulative noise analysis. These revisions included a discussion of the correct number of roadway segments with noise sensitive uses that would experience greater than 65 dB CNEL, a discussion of the correct roadway segment that could increase traffic noise to exceed the City’s interior noise standard on the project site, and a modification of a roadway referenced in Table 6-1 in the Draft EIR. These revisions are described on pages 1 and 2 of the Second Addendum to Responses to Comments for West Ming Specific Plan (see Chapter 4 of this Recirculated Draft EIR). Transportation and Traffic (Sections 5.11, 6.3.11, and 8.1) There were a number of revisions to the project-specific and cumulative traffic discussions in Section 5.11 and Section 6.3.11 in the Draft EIR to ensure consistency with the Traffic Report prepared for the West Ming Specific Plan. These revisions included modifications to intersection and roadway improvements as well as revisions to the listings of intersections and roadways exceeding the City’s established thresholds prior to and after implementation of mitigation measures. These modifications are discussed on pages 5-5 through 5-11 of the Response to Comments Document (see Chapter 2 of this Recirculated Draft EIR). In addition, to ensure consistency with a recent traffic methodology revision for independent assessment of regional impacts issued September 22, 2006 and after the distribution of the Draft EIR, there were revisions to Mitigation Measures 5.11.A.1 and 6.3.11.A.1 were modified as described in the City of Bakersfield Public Works Department response in Chapter 6.4 of this Recirculated Draft Preface West Ming Specific Plan - Recirculated Draft EIR viii Michael Brandman Associates H:\Client (PN-JN)\0216\02160029\Recirculated DEIR\02160029_Recirculated DEIR.doc EIR and on pages 5 and 6 of the Third Addendum to Response to Comments Document for West Ming Specific Plan (see Chapter 5 of this Recirculated Draft EIR). Furthermore, there were concerns regarding regional improvements such as the West Beltway and these concerns are addressed by the City of Bakersfield Public Works Department and City of Bakersfield Water Resources Department in Chapter 6.6 of this Recirculated Draft EIR. Section 8.1 of the Draft EIR includes a list of significant unavoidable adverse impacts that will result from the implementation of the West Ming Specific Plan. This list is to include all project-specific and cumulative significant unavoidable adverse impacts. Section 8.1 of the Draft EIR included the list of project-specific significant unavoidable adverse traffic and transportation impacts; however, the list of cumulative significant unavoidable adverse traffic and transportation impacts were not included in this section. The cumulative significant unavoidable adverse traffic and transportation impacts were, however, included in Section 6.3.11 of the Draft EIR. A discussion of the revision to Section 8.1 of the Draft EIR is provided on page 5-11 of the Response to Comments Document (see Chapter 2 of this Recirculated Draft EIR). Utilities and Service Systems (Section 5.12) Information regarding the City’s water rights for the Kern River flows was modified as described on page 5-5 of the Response to Comments Document (see Chapter 2 of this Recirculated Draft EIR). Other Sections Additional clarifications to a variety of environmental issues such as traffic, noise, Buena Vista Lake shrew, water recharge, and water supply is provided in Chapter 6.3 of this Recirculated Draft EIR. Other clarifications to environmental issues such as traffic, the Regional Transportation Impact Fee Program, West Beltway, Native American Heritage Commission consultation, noise, and Buena Vista Lake shrew is provided in Chapter 6.5 of this Recirculated Draft EIR. Furthermore, the San Joaquin Valley Air Pollution Control District identified that the methodology, impact assessment, and mitigation measures identified in the Draft EIR as well as in the Air Quality Assessment in Appendix C of the Draft EIR are accurate and correct (see Chapter 6.7 of this Recirculated Draft EIR). West Ming Specific Plan - Recirculated Draft EIR Preface Michael Brandman Associates ix H:\Client (PN-JN)\0216\02160029\Recirculated DEIR\02160029_Recirculated DEIR.doc DRAFT EIR APPENDICES Flood Study (Appendix I) The appendices to the Flood Study were inadvertently not included in the previously circulated Draft EIR as discussed on page 5-12 of the Response to Comments Document (see Chapter 2 of this Recirculated Draft EIR). The revised Flood Study is provided in Attachment 3 of the Response to Comments Document (see Chapter 2 of this Recirculated Draft EIR). Lake Report (Appendix I) There is a minor revision to the Lake Report regarding the use of the proposed onsite detention basins as described on pages 5-12 and 5-13 of the Response to Comments Document (see Chapter 2 of this Recirculated Draft EIR). The revised Lake Report is provided in Attachment 4 of the Response to Comments Document (see Chapter 2 of this Recirculated Draft EIR). Traffic Report (Appendix L) The discussion of local and regional impact fees on page 36 of the Traffic Impact Study (TIS) and Tables 6 and 10 of the TIS was revised as discussed on page 5-12 of the Response to Comments Document (see Chapter 2 of this Recirculated Draft EIR). The revised Traffic Study is provided in Attachment 1 of the Response to Comments Document (see Chapter 2 of this Recirculated Draft EIR). Traffic issues relating to trip generation and distribution, traffic fee program, and the SR 99/Ming Avenue Interchange are discussed in Chapter 6.1 of this Recirculated Draft EIR. Water Supply Assessment (Appendix M) Various revisions were identified for the Water Supply Assessment (WSA). The primary revision relates to the City of Bakersfield’s Kern River water rights. In addition, there were revisions to Tables 7 and 8 in the WSA regarding the amount of recharged reclaimed water. Finally, there were other revisions that were either minor clarifications and/or correction of typographical errors that did not impact the context or analysis of the WSA. These various revisions are discussed on pages 5-13 through 5-15 of the Response to Comments Document (see Chapter 2 of this Recirculated Draft EIR). The revised WSA is provided in Attachment 5 of the Response to Comments Document (see Chapter 2 of this Recirculated Draft EIR) and the WSA was further revised to address issues regarding the use of wastewater and the Kern River supplies (see Chapter 6.2 of this Recirculated Draft EIR and Response to Comments S3E-1, S5A, and S5B-1 through S5B-3 in Chapter 6.5 of this Recirculated Draft EIR). A revised final version of the WSA is attached to the letter prepared by Provost & Pritchard dated February 16, 2007 in Chapter 6.5 of this Recirculated Draft EIR). Preface West Ming Specific Plan - Recirculated Draft EIR x Michael Brandman Associates H:\Client (PN-JN)\0216\02160029\Recirculated DEIR\02160029_Recirculated DEIR.doc ADDITIONAL TECHNICAL EVALUATIONS In addition to the above revisions to the EIR text and EIR appendices, there were additional evaluations of environmental issues that were not discussed in the previously circulated Draft EIR. A Housing Needs Analysis was prepared and a brief summary of the analysis is provided in Section 5.2 of the Response to Comments Document (see Chapter 2 of this Recirculated Draft EIR). The findings of the Housing Needs Analysis identified that the supply of housing provided by the West Ming Specific Plan did not result in a substantial over supply of housing between 2006 and 2030 compared to the projected demand and resulted a supply of housing when there is a substantial under supply of housing between 2006 and 2040 compared to projected demand. The entire Housing Needs Analysis is provided in Attachment 6 of the Response to Comments Document (see Chapter 2 of this Recirculated Draft EIR). An Urban Decay Study was prepared and a brief summary of the analysis is provided in Section 5.2 of the Response to Comments Document (see Chapter 2 of this Recirculated Draft EIR). The findings of the Urban Decay Study stated that the West Ming Specific Plan would result in a less than significant urban decay impact. The entire Urban Decay Study is provided in Attachment 7 of the Response to Comments Document (see Chapter 2 of this Recirculated Draft EIR). A Fiscal Impact Analysis was prepared and a brief summary of the analysis is provided in Section 5.2 of the Response to Comments Document (see Chapter 2 of this Recirculated Draft EIR). The findings of the Fiscal Impact Study stated that the West Ming Specific Plan would result in a surplus of funds for the City, which is considered a beneficial impact. The entire Fiscal Impact Analysis is provided in Attachment 8 of the Response to Comments Document (see Chapter 2 of this Recirculated Draft EIR). A Land Use and Planning Evaluation was prepared and provided in the Addendum to Response to Comments Document for West Ming Specific Plan (see Chapter 3 of this Recirculated Draft EIR). The evaluation included a discussion of land use compatibility and the project’s consistency with the City’s land use goals and policies. The findings of the evaluation were that the land use compatibility impacts were less than significant and the project is consistent with the City’s land use goals and policies. A Global Climate Change Study was prepared and a brief summary is provided in the Third Addendum to Response to Comments Document for West Ming Specific Plan (see Chapter 5 of this Recirculated Draft EIR). The findings of the Global Climate Change Study stated that the West Ming Specific Plan would result in a less than significant affect to global climate change. In addition, the project’s contribution to cumulative impacts on global climate change would be considered less than West Ming Specific Plan - Recirculated Draft EIR Preface Michael Brandman Associates xi H:\Client (PN-JN)\0216\02160029\Recirculated DEIR\02160029_Recirculated DEIR.doc cumulatively considerable, and therefore, less than significant. The entire Global Climate Change Study is provided in Attachment 3 of the Third Addendum to Response to Comments Document for West Ming Specific Plan (see Chapter 5 of this Recirculated Draft EIR).