HomeMy WebLinkAbout01/15/1991, 1 - ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT REPORT SUPPLEMENT FOR CHANGES TO THE PROPOSED WASTEWATER TREATMENT PLANT UPGRADE.I,Iry�IY�1111IIIIIII III � MEETING DATE:
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COUNCIL AGENDA REPORT NUMBER:
FROM: Arnold B. Jonas, Community Development Director
BY: Glen Matteson, Associate Planner &'��
SUBJECT: Environmental Impact Report Supplement for changes to
the proposed wastewater treatment plant upgrade.
CAO RECOMMENDATION:
Adopt a resolution certifying the EIR Supplement, as recommended.
DISCUSSION
The city is upgrading its wastewater (sewage) treatment plant to
meet state water quality standards. The council certified an EIR
for the project in March 1990. Since the EIR was certified,
project designers have recommended some changes to the previously
proposed project, in response to preliminary council direction.
The proposed changes include different chemical processes in some
treatment steps, different locations for some equipment and for
the point of discharge to San Luis Obispo Creek, use of two new
tanks rather than existing ponds to equalize daily flows, and a
new laboratory and administration building. The new equipment
locations would require changes to the city's existing bus
maintenance yard.
When a project subject to an EIR is changed, additional
environmental review must occur. Staff determined that a
supplement to the EIR was the most appropriate way to comply with
environmental review guidelines. A supplement was prepared and
distributed in October to agencies which have approval authority
for the project. The draft supplement was revised and expanded
in November, and copies were made available for councilmembers
(contact staff if additional copies are needed).
This hearing is required by the state agency which the city has
applied to for a low- interest loan for the project.
The following four major concerns have emerged in reviewing the
revised project.
Highway views
There will be more facilities visible from Highway 101 between
Los Osos Valley Road and Prado Road, along this entry to the
city. Staff believes the above - ground facilities will be
adequately screened by proposed tree planting, and that they will
not significantly harm views of this approach to the city. A new
12 -foot tall building for chemical tanks will be set back 200
feet from the nearest highway lane, while the new 17 -foot tall
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and shrubs will be planted along the highway. (See EIR
Supplement, pages 4, 5, and 11.)
Hus parking
The relocated city transit bus parking, described in the EIR
Supplement, would have extended along the highway about 600 feet
south of its present location. In response to Planning
Commission concerns about appearance, the following is proposed:
- The city transit bus parking would be relocated instead to
the east and south sides of the bus maintenance building,
farther from the highway, in a more compact arrangement, and
in a location better screened by existing planting and
buildings (attached sketch).
- The area shown in the supplement for city transit bus
parking would not be developed as part of this project,
though it would be reserved for possible future use as
regional transit bus parking (which otherwise probably would
have gone in the area now proposed for city bus parking);
this potential area for regional bus parking would be
rezoned to public facility (P -F), as noted in the EIR
Supplement.
- Landscape screening along the highway, for the potential
regional transit bus parking area, will be planted now, so
that it could reach maturity sooner.
Smells and health effects of upstream discharge
Neighborhood residents have been concerned that discharging the
treated effluent 3,000 feet upstream of the current discharge
point would result in bad smells, and health risks for children
playing in the creek. Staff believes the effluent will not cause
bad odors or significant health risks. The plant itself will
continue to smell, but probably not as much as it has. (See EIR
Supplement, pages 4, 51 11, and 14.)
Creating ponds
With the previously proposed project, the wildlife habitat value
of the existing effluent ponds would have been reduced. To
mitigate this reduction, creation of new ponds was proposed.
With the currently proposed project, the wildlife habitat value
of the existing effluent ponds will be maintained or improved.
No additional mitigation is proposed. The California Department
of Fish and Game would still prefer that new ponds be created.
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COUNCIL AGENDA REPORT
Staff would prefer to pursue creation or new ponds as part or the
general plan Open Space Element update, where it would be
considered in comparison and in combination with other open space
projects, rather than as part of the wastewater plant upgrade.
The EIR Supplement reflects this preference.
In either case, ponds would not be part of the treatment process,
since outflow from the ponds would not meet discharge standards.
(See EIR Supplement, pages 9 and 10.)
CITIZEN PARTICIPATION
The project received schematic architectural approval on
November 19, 1990, with direction to increase the amount of
planting in the new bus parking area (assuming it would be along
the highway south of the bus maintenance building), to reconsider
some plant selections, and to reduce the extent of paving if
possible.
The Planning Commission considered a use permit for the revised
project on December 12, 1990, and continued action with direction
to further evaluate visual impacts, creekside treatment,
alternative bus parking, and tree removal. No public testimony
was offered. Staff has further evaluated these issues, and will
present to the commission at a January 9, 1991, special meeting:
- A photographic survey of the proposed facilities as seen
from Highway 101 and neighboring residential areas, with a
.recommendation to find that visual impacts from the new
facilities will not be significant, considering proposed
tree - planting mitigation;
- A restatement of the intent to preserve the existing service
road for future use as a bike path, but no proposal for
additional planting or facilities (benches, tables, path
extensions) at this time;
A further revision to plans, to locate the city transit bus
parking area immediately east and south of the bus
maintenance building (but with the understanding that the
area extending to the south would be reserved for possible
use as regional transit bus parking);
A determination that removal of some existing pine trees
will not be a significant impact.
Staff will orally report the commission's actions to the council,
since the deadline for this report is before the commission
meeting.
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1011111111111111111 IIBIII city Of San WIS OBIspo
COUNCIL AGENDA REPORT
The council may continue action with direction to staff.
RECOMMENDATION
Adopt a resolution certifying the EIR Supplement, with
appropriate findings, and with additions and corrections to the
draft supplement.
Attachments: Draft resolution
Vicinity map
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I 1 MEETING DATE:
dllfl���II���IIII,III�A�Illllll city of San LUIS OBISPO Janu 15, 1991
COUNCIL AGENDA REPORT NUMBER:
FROM: William T. Hetland �� Prepared By: John E. Moss
Utilities Director Wastewater Division Manage
SUBJECT:
Wastewater Treatment Plant Improvements - Project Revisions
By motion, (1) provide concept approval of the revised Unit
4 Wastewater Treatment Plant Improvements, and (2) approve
the use of a State Revolving Fund (SRF) loan to fund the
revised project.
DISCUSSION:
The City is currently in the process of implementing its
Wastewater Management Plan through a series of wastewater
treatment plant and collection system upgrades. Total cost
of these upgrades is currently estimated at $35 million.
The City has applied for a low interest loan from the State
to help fund the projects. The State requires that loan
applicants hold a public hearing to consider concept
approval of the proposed project(s) and approve the use of
SRF loan monies to fund the project.
Council has previously prov
projects and the use of the
Council approval, revisions
project have occurred which
consider the concept of the
loan funds.
ided concept approval of the
SRF loan funds. Since prior
to the Unit 4 Improvements
require Council to again
improvements and the use of SRF
The revisions to the Unit 4 project from what was previously
approved by Council are primarily; relocation of the unit 4
facilities to a location adjacent to the existing treatment
plant, relocation of the plant discharge location to a point
approximately 3,000 feet upstream of its current location,
and addition of an administration and laboratory building.
A draft supplement EIR has been written which provides
additional detail on the revisions and is being considered
by Council for final approval concurrently with this item.
Council has also previously considered and approved the
revisions to the project at the October 16, 1990 Council
meeting when they considered Amendment No. 1 to the
agreement for engineering services for the design of Unit 4.
SRF guidelines, however, require a public hearing be held to
consider the revised project and the use of SRF loan funds.
RC.v-o" v • .J
JAN 111991
COUNCIL
,ni. wzASPO, CA 1-411
(ON%A1111l1 city Of sat. _aIS OBISPO
COUNCIL AGENDA REPORT
Unit 4 WWTP Improvements
January 15, 1991
Page 2
FISCAL IMPACT:
No fiscal impacts which have not been previously approved by
Council will result from approval of this item.
RECOMMENDATION:
By motion, (1) provide concept approval of the revised Unit
4 Wastewater Treatment Plant Improvements, and (2) approve
the use of a State Revolving Fund (SRF) loan to fund the
revised project.
/ -48
RESOLUTION NO. (1991 SERIES)
A RESOLUTION OF THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF SAN LUIS OBISPO
CERTIFYING THE ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT REPORT SUPPLEMENT FOR
THE WASTEWATER TREATMENT PLANT UPGRADE
AND SEWER LINE REPLACEMENT (ER 46 -89)
The Council of the City of San Luis Obispo resolves as
follows:
Findings
1. The city has published and made available for public. review
a Draft Environmental Impact Report Supplement for the
proposed upgrade of its wastewater treatment plant and sewer
line replacement project, in accordance with the California
Environmental Quality Act and the city's Environmental
Impact Procedures and Guidelines.
2. On January 15, 1991, the City Council conducted a public
hearing on the EIR Supplement.
Actions
1. The Council determines that the EIR Supplement is adequate,
and hereby certifies it provided that all the additions and
corrections in the attached Exhibit A are made. A Final EIR
Supplement incorporating these additions and corrections is
to be published within 30 days, and will be made available
to responsible agencies.
2. The Council determines that there will be no significant,
adverse impacts due to the proposed changes in the project,
which have been evaluated in the EIR Supplement.
3. The Council hereby adopts the following mitigation measures
and monitoring:
A. Visual impacts of bus parking.
The city transit bus parking area will be relocated
immediately.to the east and south of the existing bus
maintenance building, rather than extending to the south
along the highway, but all proposed screen planting for the
southern parking area, which is reserved for possible
regional transit bus parking, will be done as part of this
project. (Development of the regional transit bus parking
will require separate environmental review and action by the
city's Architectural Review Commission and Planning
commission.)
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Resolution No. (1991 Series)
Wastewater treatment EIR Supplement
Page 2
Monitoring:' Planning staff review of project
construction plans prior to City Council
approval.
B. General plan consistency.
The area to be occupied by new chlorine contact tanks, and
the area reserved for future regional transit bus parking,
will be redesignated from "conservation /open space" to
"public facility."
Monitoring: Planning staff review of project
construction plans prior to City Council
approval.
C. Water quality.
Parking lot drainage, prior to leaving the site, shall pass
through an oil -water separator or other filtering media, to
the approval of the Community Development Department. A
low, asphalt berm shall be installed around the parking area
to contain spilled petroleum products.
Monitoring: Plan checking and inspection by
Community Development staff.
On motion of , seconded by
and on the following roll call vote:
AYES:
NOES:
ABSENT:
the foregoing resolution was passed and adopted this
day of , 1991.
Mayor
ATTEST:
City Clerk
Resolution No. (1991 Series)
Wastewater treatment EIR Supplement
Page 3
APPROVED:
City \A ministrative Officer
t
Community Development
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EXHIBIT A
Changes and Additions to Wastewater EIR Supplement
Page 6 Item 9: Change to read:
(A) Locate the city transit bus parking immediately
east and south of the existing bus maintenance
building; (B) reserve an area farther to the south for
regional transit bus parking.
Page 7 Mitigation: Change to read:
The area to be occupied by new chlorine contact tanks,
and the area reserved for future regional transit bus
parking, will be redesignated from "conservation /open
space" to "public facility."
Page 8 Vegetation impacts: Add:
Construction of the administration /laboratory building
will require removal of several mature Monterey pine
trees. Some trees within this stand will be retained.
Page 10 Fish and wildlife impacts: Add:
while the city does not propose to create wetland
habitat (ponds) at the treatment plant site as part of
this project, it does intend to include such wildlife
habitat enhancement projects in the forthcoming update
of its general plan Open Space Element and Conservation
Element.
Page 11 Visual impacts: Change to read:
The appearance of the plant would not change
significantly. The major new or changed facilities
will be below ground. Above - ground facilities will not
exceed one story or about 17 feet in height. Existing
facilities and landscaping to remain, and proposed
landscaping at maturity, will screen the above - ground
facilities from off -site views. Existing oleander and
cypress along the highway and Prado Road will remain.
Existing willows along the creek will remain, screening
the site from views from the mobile home parks along
South Higuera Street.
In comparison with
design will reduce
travellers and for
Obispo Creek, by g
location closer to
maintenance area.
the previous proposal, the revised
visual impacts for Highway 101
residents living east of San Luis
rouping all new plant facilities in a
the existing treatment plant and bus
However, future development of parking for regional
transit busses would convert about two acres of a now
open, 30 -acre field to paved storage for large
vehicles. This area will be screened from Highway 101
views by a band of dense trees and shrubs at least 20
feet wide, with species, planting size, and numbers to
be approved by the Architectural Review Commission..
(Maintaining access to a sewer pump station at the edge
of the highway will require a small area with planting
strips which will individually be narrower than 20
feet). The trees and shrubs will be planted as part of
this project, so they will be more mature if and when
bus parking is developed in this area. However, this
mitigation itself will impact views, by blocking views
from the highway of more distant features, including
the South Street Hills and at least part of the Santa
Lucia foothills.
Add:
No facilities beyond the regional bus parking are
anticipated for this area, so the remaining
approximately 28 acres will remain open. Development
of the proposed facilities on the east side of Highway
101, along with eventual residential or commercial
development of the Dalidio area west of the highway,
will change the character of this approach to the city,
from open fields to urban features. While specific
designs and noise mitigation measures for the Dalidio
area are not available, emerging city policy favors
sufficient setbacks, berms, and landscaping,to avoid
walled corridors along roads. Also, the measures to
mitigate traffic noise, and to visually screen
undesirable foreground features, will be designed to
preserve distant views of the Santa Lucia Mountains and
the morros.
A photographic visual survey of the project site was
presented to the Planning Commission and is available
for public review in the Community Development
Department.
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MtETING AGENDA
0ATF1 -r1S---9Z ITEM #
UPDATE
PLANNING COMMISSION ACTION ON WASTEWATER TREATMENT PLANT UPGRADE
RE: Council agenda January 15, 1991, Item #1.
On January 9, 1991, the Planning Commission voted six to none
(one vacancy) to:
A. Determine that the supplement to the EIR is adequate, and
recommend that the council certify it as part of the final
EIR.
B. Determine that the revisions to the project will not cause
significant adverse environmental effects.
C. Approve Use Permit U 1496, subject to the following findings
and conditions.
Findings:
1. The proposed modifications to the treatment plant will not
adversely affect the health, safety, or welfare of persons
residing or working on the site or in the vicinity.
2. The modifications are appropriate at the proposed location
and will be compatible with surrounding land uses.
3. The modified use conforms to the general plan and meets
zoning ordinance requirements, as conditioned below.
4. An environmental impact report and a supplement to the EIR
have been prepared, recommended mitigation will be included,
and the final approving body (City Council) can find that
the project is justified despite significant noise and
energy impacts, due to the overriding concern to meet water
quality standards.
Conditions:
1. Prior to construction of the cooling towers, dual -media
filters, chlorine contact tanks and relocated bus storage
.yard, the area to be occupied by these facilities shall have
been rezoned from Conservation /Open space to Public
Facility.
2. A qualified archaeologist will train city public works
inspectors and the project's construction contractors in how
to recognize resources that may be encountered. In
addition, the archaeologist will be present'to make spot
inspections in sensitive areas.
If excavations encounter archaeological resources,
construction activities which may affect them shall cease.
The Community Development Director shall be notified of the
extent and location of discovered materials so that they may
be recorded by a qualified archaeologist. Disposition of
artifacts shall comply with state and federal laws. A note
concerning this requirement shall be included on the grading
and construction plans for the project.
3. Project plans shall include a planting plan emphasizing use
of drought tolerant native trees to screen the cooling
towers and nearby above - ground equipment from off -site
views, for approval by the Architectural Review Commission.
Planting in accordance with the approved plan shall be
completed prior to operation of the equipment to be
screened.
4. Except in emergencies (such as broken pipes), construction
activities at the treatment plant will be limited to Monday
through Friday, 7:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. Mufflers will be
kept in proper condition.
5. Creekway improvements, consisting of public bikeway and
pedestrian access and extensive planting, shall be designed
and installed as part of the project, along San Luis Obispo
Creek for the full length of the project site.
6. The "future bus parking area" shall be deleted.
7. Within two years of completion of the wastewater plant
upgrade, the city shall provide a pond with at least four
acres water surface, for aquatic wildlife and waterfowl
habitat. The precise location, design, and management of
the pond shall be developed by mutual agreement of the
city's Utilities and Community Development departments and
the California Department of Fish and Game.
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