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HomeMy WebLinkAboutR-10154 certifying the Final Program Environmental Impact Report for the Orcutt Area Specific Plan, adopting the Orcutt Area Specific Plan, and approving General Plan Amednments to implement the land uses approved in the Specific Plan (SP, ER 209-98)0 0 RESOLUTION NO. 10154 (2010 Series) A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY OF SAN LUIS OBISPO CERTIFYING THE FINAL PROGRAM ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT REPORT FOR THE ORCUTT AREA SPECIFIC PLAN, ADOPTING THE ORCUTT AREA SPECIFIC PLAN, AND APPROVING GENERAL PLAN AMENDMENTS TO IMPLEMENT THE LAND USES APPROVED IN THE SPECIFIC PLAN (SP, ER 209 -98) WHEREAS, the City Council of the City of San Luis Obispo met in the Council Chamber of City Hall, 990 Palm Street, San Luis Obispo, California on March 2, 2010, for the purpose of considering a recommendation made by the Planning Commission to certify the Final Program Environmental Impact Report (EIR) for the Orcutt Area Specific Plan (OASP), adopt the OASP, and approve associated General Plan amendments to implement the land uses shown in the GASP; and WHEREAS, the Planning Commission recommendation was based on public input received over the course of eight public hearings, and the advice and recommendations of other City advisory bodies including the Parks and Recreation Commission, the Bicycle. Advisory Committee, the Cultural Heritage Committee and the Architectural Review Commission; and WHEREAS, notices of said public hearings were made at the time and in the manner required by law; and WHEREAS, the potential environmental impacts of the project have been evaluated in accordance with the California Environmental Quality Act and the City's Environmental Review Guidelines; and WHEREAS, development of the Orcutt Area is expected to occur over a twenty to thirty year horizon, and therefore requires an intergenerational look at infrastructure requirements and planning for long -term City goals; and WHEREAS, development of the Orcutt Area will be better served by City infrastructure, including police, fire, water and sewer service, and City streets, and described in the OASP; and WHEREAS, the City Council has duly considered all evidence, including the testimony of the applicant, interested parties, and the evaluation and recommendations by staff presented at said meeting. NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, by the Council of the City of San Luis Obispo as follows: SECTION 1. EIR Certification. The City Council does hereby certify the EIR based on the Findings of Fact and Statement of Overriding Considerations included in Exhibit A, and subject to a Mitigation Measure Monitoring Plan maintained on file in the Community Development Department. R 10154 Resolution No. 10154 (20 10 Series) Page 2 SECTION 2. Adoption of the OASP. The City Council does hereby adopt the Planning Commission Draft of the Orcutt Area Specific Plan and directs the Community Development Director to begin implementation of the Plan by working with property owners to develop a boundary map for a one -time, City- sponsored annexation, with the following changes: 1. References in the document to Skinner as a prior owner of the Righetti Ranch Housing property shall be replaced with the correct surname, Jacobson. 2. Chapter 5, Transportation, Policy 5.1c shall be revised as follows: New individual driveway access onto Orcutt Road shall be prohibited under the Specific Plan. Existing driveways with access onto Orcutt Road may be used either for the existing number of units already constructed on land under one ownership or up to a total of two units for each existing ownership if not now constructed. Additional units above these thresholds shall require new road and intersection improvements as provided in this Specific Plan. Exceptions to this provision may be approved by the City Council for interim facilities approved as part of a subdivision phasing plan or development plan. 3. Appendix A shall be revised with updated property information for the Taylor Property, as shown in Exhibit B. 4. Section 3.2.6 of the OASP shall be updated, as shown in Exhibit C, except the following sentence shall be inserted as the third to last sentence of the last paragraph: The City does not support Site C. 5. Chapter 8 shall be revised to incorporate a 50% obligation for the Orcutt Area to pay for the grade- separated railroad crossing at Industrial Way, with direction to City staff to pursue grants to fund the remaining 50% of the facility cost. SECTION 3. Airport Land Use Commission. The adoption of the OASP shall become effective immediately following a determination by the Airport Land Use Commission (ALUC) that the OASP is consistent with the Airport Land Use Plan (ALUP). An ALUP consistency hearing is scheduled for March 17, 2010. In the event the ALUC conditions its determination of consistency on amendments to the OASP, the Community Development Director is authorized to make minor changes to the OASP to respond to concerns expressed by members of the ALUC relative to airport compatibility during the hearing. If the ALUC determines that substantial changes to the OASP are needed to achieve consistency with the Airport Land Use Plan, the adoption of the OASP shall not become effective until such time as the City Council has reviewed and approved those changes at a noticed public hearing. SECTION 4. General Plan Amendments. The City Council does hereby amend the General Plan Land Use Map to implement the land use designations approved as part of the Orcutt Area Specific Plan, as shown in Exhibit D. Figure 2 of the Land Use Element shall be revised amending the location of the Urban Reserve Line, as shown in Exhibit E. These General Plan amendments are approved based on the following findings: Resolution No. 10154 (201100 Series) O Page 3 1. The proposed amendments to the General Plan Land Use Map implement the Orcutt Area Specific Plan, by updating the General Plan with the land uses identified in the specific plan for Orcutt Area properties. 2. The land uses proposed for the Orcutt Area are consistent with the General Plan, which identifies the Orcutt Area as a residential expansion area. 3. The proposed amendments are necessary to implement the General Plan, which says that development in any part of the Orcutt Area may not occur until a specific plan has been adopted for the whole area. 4. The proposed Urban Reserve Line (URL) expansion is justified because the revised URL incorporates relatively flat land on the north side of Righetti Hill that is suitable for development, and excludes a similarly sized area on the upper slopes of the west side of Righetti Hill, which is not suitable for development. Upon motion of Vice Mayor Carter, seconded by Council Member Ashbaugh, and on the following vote: AYES: Council Members Ashbaugh and Settle, Vice Mayor Carter, and Mayor Romero NOES: None ABSENT: None RECUSED: Council Member Marx The foregoing resolution was adopted this 2nd day of March 2010. Mayor David F. Romero ATTEST: Elaina Cano City Clerk APPROVED AS TO istine Dietrick City Attorney i Findings of Fact and Statement of Overriding Considerations Orcutt Area Specific Plan Attachment 6 - Exhibit A SECTION 1. INTRODUCTION The City of San Luis Obispo (City) has decided to approve the Orcutt Area Specific Plan (project). The City is the lead agency under the California. Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) and has certified a program environmental impact report (EIR) for the project. Section 15091 of the State CEQA Guidelines (14 California Code of Regulations [CCR]) and Section 21081 of the Public Resources Code require a lead agency to adopt findings for each significant environmental impact disclosed in an EIR. Specifically, for each significant impact, the lead agency must find that: Changes or alterations have been incorporated into the project to avoid or substantially lessen the significant environmental effects identified in the EIR; — Such changes or alterations are within the responsibility and jurisdiction of another public agency and should be adopted by that agency; or — Specific economic, social, legal, technological, or other considerations make the mitigation measures or alternatives identified in the ER infeasible. In addition to making a finding for each significant impact, if the lead agency approves a project without mitigating all of the significant impacts, it must prepare a statement of overriding considerations, in which it balances the benefits of the project against the unavoidable environmental risks. The statement of overriding considerations must explain the social, economic, or other reasons for approving the project despite its environmental impacts (14 CCR 15093, Pub. Res. Code 21081). This document contains the findings and statement of overriding considerations for the approval of the Orcutt Area Specific Plan and reflects the City's independent judgment. This document incorporates by reference the program EIR. The EIR, specific plan, and other portions of the administrative record are available for review at: City of San Luis Obispo Community Development Department 990 Palm Street San Luis Obispo, CA 93401 Contact: Michael Codron (805)781 -7175 SECTION 2. PROJECT DESCRIPTION A PROTECT OBJECTIVES As required by the City General Plan, the specific plan is intended to contain policies and standards that will facilitate appropriate development of land, protection of open space, and provision of adequate public facilities. The specific plan is more detailed than the general plan but less precise than subdivision maps or construction plans. The overall objective of the City of San Luis Obispo A December 2009 Findings of Fact and Statement Overriding Considerations v Orcutt Area Specific Plan Attachment 6 - Exhibit A project is to adopt a specific plan for the Orcutt area, pursuant to the City General Plan. Orcutt Area Specific Plan objectives include: 1. Develop a new residential neighborhood to meet the City's housing needs and that designates sufficient land for neighborhood serving commercial uses to reduce vehicle trips and provide for the convenience of area residents. 2. Provide a variety of housing types and costs to meet the needs of renters and buyers with a variety of income - levels, including inclusionary affordable housing for residents with moderate, low and very -low income levels. 3. Protect and enhance Righetti Hill, creek /wetland habitats, and visual resources in open space areas. 4. Provide a variety of park and recreational facilities for residents of the Orcutt Area, such as parks, recreational facilities, public squares, plazas and green spaces. 5. Phase the proposed development so that public facilities are developed concurrently with each new phase in a rational and cost effective fashion. 6. Encourage the use of bicycles and walking within the Plan Area by including specific policies or development standards that will result in subdivision and building designs that facilitate bike use and pedestrian access. Incorporate all classes of bike lanes and include bike and pedestrian paths through the parks and open space areas. 7. Protect the new residents from railroad noise through a variety of measures consistent with Noise Element Policies 1.8.2, Mitigating Outdoor Noise Exposure, and 18.3 Mitigating Indoor Noise Exposure. 8. Create a regional detention system to facilitate drainage solutions for future subdivisions. B. PROPOSED PROTECT The proposed project includes implementation of the goals and policies contained in the Orcutt Area Specific Plan. The Orcutt Area Specific Plan is a specific plan that would guide the annexation and development of the Plan Area. The Plan Area is 231 acres of property east of the southern portion of the City. The proposed Specific Plan designates the land.for 113 acres of residential, 0.25 acres of neighborhood commercial, 81 acres of open space, 21 acres of parks, and a 5 acre school site. Urban infrastructure to support this development would also be included in the near term. Infrastructure requirements include roads, water and wastewater conveyance systems, and stormwater conveyance systems. The Specific Plan proposes an adjustment of the Urban Reserve Line (URL) to include the entire Plan Area within the City's Urban Reserve Area. SECTION 3. ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT REPORT A. BACKGROUND The program EIR was prepared in compliance with CEQA and State CEQA Guidelines. As such, the EIR contains analysis, at a program level, of the basic issues that will be used in conjunction with subsequent tiered environmental documents for specific projects related to the City of San Luis Obispo December 2009 2 Findings of Fact and StatemenOverriding Considerations Orcutt Area Specific Plan Attachment 6 - Exhibit A Orcutt Area Specific Plan. Once the Orcutt Area Specific Plan is adopted by the City, the basic policy issues will not need to be revisited by subsequent (second -tier) documents. The DEIR, dated December 2007, was circulated to appropriate public agencies, organizations, and interested groups and individuals for a period of 60 days (through February 28, 2008). Between February and June 2008, the Planning Commission held six public hearings to discuss the Public Hearing Draft of the Orcutt Area Specific Plan and the Draft EIR for the project. Based on comments received during this period, portions of the DEIR were revised to address technical issues raised in several letters. The City recirculated these portions of the Revised DEIR, which included the Agricultural Resources section, Water and Wastewater section, as well as the Executive Summary. The City extended the public review period through June 2008 and received several additional comments on the Revised DEIR. B. IMPACT ANALYSIS Three categories of impacts are identified in the Environmental Impact Report: Class I. Class I impacts are significant and unavoidable. To approve a project resulting in Class I impacts, the CEQA Guidelines require decision makers to make findings of overriding consideration that "specific legal, technological, economic, social, or other considerations make infeasible the mitigation measures or alternatives identified in the EIR" Class R. Class II impacts are significant but can be mitigated to a level of insignificance by measures identified in this EIR and the project description. When approving a project with Class II impacts, the decision- makers must make findings that changes or alternatives to the project have been incorporated that reduce the impacts to a less than significant level. Class III. Class III impacts are adverse but not significant. SECTION 4. FINDINGS FOR LESS THAN SIGNIFICANT ENVIRONMENTAL EFFECTS OF THE PROPOSED PROJECT The City Council has concluded that the following effects are not considered significant. A. AGRICULTURE 1. Impact AG -1 Although the proposed project would permanently' convert soils that have been defined by the City as prime agriculture lands, the value of the Orcutt Area's agricultural land resources, as measured by the LESA Model, is not considered significant. Therefore, the project would result in Class III, less than significant, impacts related to agricultural conversion. a. Mitigation: None City of San Luis Obispo December 2009 3 Findings of Fact and Statement of Overrlding Considerations O Orcutt Area Specific Plan Attachment 6 - Exhibit A b. F din : The City finds that the impact is adverse, but less than significant. B. AIR QUALITY 1. Impact AQ -2 Specific Plan traffic generation, together with other cumulative traffic associated with foreseeable development would not result in CO "hotspots ". Therefore, the Specific Plan's potential to generate CO "hotspots" is considered to be a Class III, less than significant impact. a. Mitigation: None b. Finding: The City finds that the impact is adverse, but less than significant.. C. BIOLOGICAL RESOURCES 1. Impact B -1 Development under the proposed Specific Plan would result in the conversion of non -native annual grassland habitat to urban uses. This is considered a Class III, less than significant impact. a. Mitt ag tion: None b. Finding: The City finds that the impact is adverse, but less than significant. D. GEOLOGIC HAZARDS 1. Impact G -1 Seismically induced ground shaking could destroy or damage structures and infrastructure developed for the project site, resulting in loss of property or risk to human health. This is considered a Class III, less than significant impact. a. Mitigation: None b. Fes: The City finds that the impact is adverse, but less than significant. E. NOISE 1. Impact N -2 Specific plan - generated traffic would incrementally increase noise levels along roads in the Specific Plan vicinity. The effect of this noise on off -site sensitive receptors in the area, and also within the Specific Plan area, is considered a Class III, less than significant impact. a. Mitigation: None b. Finding: The City finds that the impact is adverse, but less than significant. City of San Luis Obispo December 2009 4 Findings of Fact and Statement of Overriding Considerations 0 Orcutt Area Specific Plan Attachment 6 - Exhibit A 2. Impact N -3 Although noise associated with airport operations would affect sensitive receptors in the Plan Area, the impact would be considered Class III, less than significant. a. Miti ag tion: None b. Finding: The City finds that the impact is adverse, but less than significant. F. PUBLIC SERVICES 1. Impact PS -1 Annexation and development of the Orcutt Area would increase the number of residents served by the City of San Luis Obispo Police Department. Additional service needs would decrease the amount of patrol unit available time. This is considered a Class III, less than significant impact. a. Mitigation: None b. Fes: The City finds that the impact is adverse, but less than significant. G. WATER AND WASTEWATER 1. Impact W -1 The project would increase demand on City of San Luis Obispo potable water supplies by an estimated 260 AFY. Impacts to the City's water supply are considered Class I11, less than significant, with payment of Water Impact Fees.. c. Miti a'g tion: None d. Findin g: The City finds that the impact is adverse, but less than significant. 2. Impact W -2 Buildout of the Orcutt Area Specific Plan would generate an estimated 162;856 gallons of wastewater per day, which would be treated by the City's Water Reclamation Facility. Because this facility has sufficient capacity to accommodate the proposed project, this impact is considered Class III, less than significant. c. Mitigation: None d. Fes: The City finds that the impact is adverse, but less than significant. SECTION 5. FINDINGS FOR SIGNIFICANT ENVIRONMENTAL EFFECTS OF THE PROPOSED PROJECT THAT HAVE BEEN MITIGATED TO A LESS THAN SIGNIFICANT LEVEL This section presents the project's significant environmental impacts and feasible mitigation measures. Section 15091 of the State CEQA Guidelines (14 California Code of Regulations [CCR]) and Section 21081 of the Public Resources Code require a lead agency to make findings City of San Luis Obispo December 2009 5 Findings of Fact and Statement Overriding Considerations v Orcutt Area Specific Plan Attachment 6 - Exhibit A for each significant environmental impact disclosed in an EIR. Specifically, for each significant impact, the lead agency must find that: — Changes or alterations have been required in, or incorporated into, the project which avoid or substantially lessen the significant environmental effect as identified in the final EIR. — Such changes or alterations are within the responsibility and jurisdiction of another public agency and not the agency making the finding. Such changes have been adapted by such other agency or can and should be adopted by such other agency. — Specific economic, legal, social, technological, or other considerations, including provision of employment opportunities for highly trained workers, make infeasible the mitigation measures or project alternatives identified in the final EIR. Each of these findings must be supported by substantial evidence in the administrative record. This section identifies impacts that can be fully avoided or reduced to a less - than- significant level through the incorporation of feasible mitigation measures into the project, as identified in the program EIR. The impacts identified in this section are considered in the same sequence in which they appear in the draft EIR. A. AESTHETICS 1. Impact AES -3:. Light and glare produced from the proposed project would extend the area of night light across the project site, altering the nighttime sky due to lighting and daytime glare associated with plaster -type walls and /or brightly painted surfaces. This may affect the residences in the vicinity of the site and views from local roadways. This is considered a Class II, significant but mitigable impact. a. Mitigation: The proposed Specific Plan includes the following goals, policies and programs which are intended to address potential impacts associated with this issue: Goal 4.4, Policies 4.4.1 through 4.4.3, and Program 4.4.3a. Implementation of these provisions of the Specific Plan would reduce impacts to some extent. However, impacts would remain significant. The following mitigation measures are required to fully mitigate potential light and glare impacts. — Mitigation Measure AES -3(a) Minimize Lighting on Public Areas. Lighting shall be shielded as shown in the Specific Plan and directed downward. Lighting shall not be mounted more than 16 feet high. Streetlights, where they are included, shall be primarily for pedestrian safety, and shall not provide widespread illumination unless necessary to comply with safety requirements, as determined by the Public Works Director. Street lighting should focus on intersections and should be placed between intersections only when it is necessary to comply with safety requirements, as determined by the Public Works Director. Trail lighting shall be at a scale appropriate for pedestrians, utilizing bollards, although overhead lighting may be used where vandalism of bollard lights is a concern. Prior to development of individual lots, proposed lighting shall be indicated on site plans and shall demonstrate that spill-over of lighting would not affect nearby residential areas. City of San Luis Obispo December 2009 6 Findings of Fact and Statement of Considerations O Orcutt Area Specific Plan Attachment - Exhibit A b. Finding: The City finds that the mitigation measure is feasible and has been adopted. Implementation of the applicable provisions of the Specific Plan, in combination with the proposed mitigation measure, would reduce project - specific impacts to a less than significant level. B. AGRICULTURAL RESOURCES 1. Impact AG -2: Development may result in land use conflicts between existing residential uses and agricultural operations on -site as well as off -site on adjacent properties. This is considered a Class H, significant but mitigable, impact. a. Mitigation: The proposed Specific Plan incorporates the following provisions intended to help reduce agricultural impacts: Policy 3.2.25, Program 3.2.25a, and Program 3.2.25b. Implementation of the above provisions would reduce impacts between agriculture and adjacent planned residential uses, however the notification requirements specified in Program 3.2.25a would place an unnecessary burden on agriculture, rather than protecting it. The existing requirements of the County's Right -to -Farm Ordinance are more fair to agriculture, while still providing reasonable notice to future residents. The following mitigation measures are required to fully mitigate potential impacts related to this issue. — Mitigation Measure AG -2(a) Maintain 100 -Foot Agricultural Buffer. If adjacent land is still used for grazing purposes at the time of subdivision, a minimum 100 - foot buffer between the Righetti family ranch home site. The buffer shall occur on any parcel proposed for development that is adjacent to the northern boundary of the Righetti home site (See Figure 4.2 -3). — Mitigation Measure AG -2(b) Right -to -Farm Notification Requirements. To prevent unnecessary burdening of agricultural operations, proposed Specific Plan Program 3.2.25a shall be revised as follows: Program 3.2.25a. In accordance with the County Right to Farm Ordinance (No. 2050), upon the transfer of real property in the Specific Plan area, the transferor shall deliver to the prospective transferee a written disclosure statement that shall make all prospective homeowners in the proposed project aware that although potential impacts or discomforts between agricultural and non - agricultural uses may be lessened by proper maintenance, some level of incompatibility between the two uses would remain. b. Findin The City finds that the mitigation measures are feasible and have been adopted. With the implementation of the Specific Plan's proposed goals and policies, as well as the mitigation measures described above, agricultural- related land use compatibility impacts resulting would be reduced to a less than significant level. City of San Luis Obispo December 2009 7 Findings of Fact and Statement of Considerations 0 Orcutt Area Specific Plan Attachment 6 - Exhibit A C. AIR QUALITY 1. Impact AQ -1: Vehicular operations associated with development under the Specific Plan would result in the emission of levels of air pollutants that would exceed recommended significance thresholds and are therefore considered to have a Class II, significant but mitigable, impact. a. Mitigation: The Specific Plan includes bikeways, pedestrian walkways, and access to public transit routes that will reduce the need for vehicle transportation and therefore reduce the amount of emissions (Specific Plan Goal 5.3 and associated policies and programs). The Specific Plan also encourages the use of solar energy sources for residential and commercial uses (Specific Plan Policies 4.7.1 and 4.7.2). Finally, bike lanes have been designed to provide continuous connections through the Specific Plan area, consistent with regional goals related to reducing dependence on motorized vehicle travel. The following standard site design and discretionary energy efficiency mitigation measures are recommended: — Mitigation Measure AQ -1(a) Energy Efficiency. The building energy efficiency rating shall be 10% above what is required by Title 24 requirements for all buildings within the Specific Plan Area. The following energy- conserving techniques shall be incorporated unless the applicant demonstrates their unfeasibility to the satisfaction of City Planning and Building Department staff: increase walls and attic insulation beyond Title 24 requirements; orient buildings to maximize natural heating and cooling; plant shade trees along southern exposures of buildings to reduce summer cooling needs; use roof material with a solar reflectance value meeting the EPA /DOE Energy Star rating; build in energy efficient appliances; use low energy street lighting and traffic signals; use energy efficient interior lighting; use solar water heaters; and use double -paned windows. Mitigation Measure AQ -1(b) Transit. Bus turnouts and shelter improvements with direct pedestrian access shall be installed at all bus stops. — Mitigation Measure AQ -1(c) Shade Trees. All parking lots shall include shade trees within the parking area. There shall be at least one shade tree for every six vehicle parking spaces. — Mitigation Measure AQ -1(d) Telecommuting. All new homes within the Specific Plan area shall be constructed with internal wiring /cabling that allows telecommuting, teleconferencing, and teleleaming to occur simultaneously in at least three locations in each home. — Mitigation Measure AQ -1(e) Pathways. Where feasible, all cul -de -sacs and dead - end streets shall be links by pathways to encourage pedestrian and bicycle travel. City of San Luis Obispo December 2009 8 Findings of Fact and Statement of Overriding Considerations Orcutt Area Specific Plan Attachment 6 - Exhibit A — Mitigation Measure AQ -1(f) Pedestrian Signalization. All new signalized intersections shall include signalization to accommodate pedestrian crossings. Pedestrian signalization shall allow pedestrians to call for a traffic signal change. b. Finding: The City finds that the mitigation measures are feasible and have been adopted. Implementation of the above mitigation would reduce impacts to a less than significant level. 2. Impact AQ -3: Development under the proposed Specific Plan has the potential to generate construction related emissions as the site develops. Although these emissions cannot be quantified at the Program EIR level, since San Luis Obispo County is currently non- attainment for PMlo, development under the Specific Plan would contribute to this existing significant condition. Therefore, construction related emissions are considered to be Class II, significant but mitigable. a. Mitigation: Because all construction projects can produce nuisance dust emissions, dust mitigation measures are required for all construction activities. The following mitigation measures are recommended to minimize emissions and to reduce the amount of dust that drifts onto adjacent properties. These measures would apply to both tract grading and development of individual lots. — Mitigation Measure AQ -3(a) Application of CBACT. The following measures shall be implemented to reduce combustion emissions from construction equipment where a project will have an area of disturbance greater than 1 acre, or for all projects, regardless of the size of ground disturbance, when that disturbance would be conducted adjacent to sensitive receptors. Specific Plan applicants shall submit for review by the Community Development Department and APCD staff a grading plan showing the area to be disturbed and a description of construction equipment that will be used and pollution reduction measures that will be implemented. Upon confirmation by the Community Development Department and APCD, appropriate CBACT features shall be applied. The application of these features shall occur prior to Specific Plan construction. Specific Plan applicants shall be required to ensure that all construction equipment and portable engines are properly maintained and tuned according to manufacturer's specifications. Specific Plan applicants shall be required to ensure that off -road and portable diesel powered equipment, including but not limited to bulldozers, graders, cranes, loaders, scrapers, backhoes, generator sets, compressors, auxiliary power units, shall be fueled exclusively with CARB motor vehicle diesel fuel (non -taxed off -road diesel is acceptable). Specific Plan applicants shall be required to install diesel oxidation catalysts on off -road construction equipment and on -road haul trucks projected to generate the greatest emissions. The number of catalysts required shall be determined in consultation with APCD prior to the start of construction. Installations must be prepared according to manufacturer's specifications. City of San Luis Obispo December 2009 9 Findings of Fact and Statement of Considerations Orcutt Area Specific Plan Attachment 6 - Exhibit A • Maximize, to the extent feasible, the use of diesel construction equipment meeting ARB's 1996 and newer certification standard for off -road heavy -duty diesel engines. • Maximize, to the extent feasible, the use of on -road heavy -duty equipment and trucks that meet the ARB's 1998 or newer certification standard for on -road heavy -duty diesel engines. • All on and off -road diesel equipment shall not be allowed to idle for more than 5 minutes. Signs shall be posted in the designated queuing areas and on job sites to remind drivers and operators of the 5 minute idling limit. — Mitigation Measure AQ -3(b) Dust Control. The following measures shall be implemented to reduce PM10 emissions during all Specific Plan construction: • Reduce the amount of the disturbed area where possible. • Use water trucks or sprinkler systems in sufficient quantities to prevent airborne dust from leaving the site. Water shall be applied as soon as possible whenever wind speeds exceed 15 miles per hour. Reclaimed (nonpotable) water should be used whenever possible. • All dirt- stock -pile areas shall be sprayed daily as needed. • Permanent dust control measures shall be identified in the approved Specific Plan revegetation and landscape plans and implemented as soon as possible following completion of any soil disturbing activities. • Exposed ground areas that are planned to be reworked at dates greater than one month after initial grading shall sown with a fast- germinating native grass seed and watered until vegetation is established. • All disturbed soil areas not subject to revegetation shall be stabilized using approved chemical soil binders, jute netting, or other methods approved in advance by the APCD. • All roadways, driveways, sidewalks, etc., to be paved shall be completed as soon as possible. In addition, building pads shall be laid as soon as possible after grading unless seeding or soil binders are used. • Vehicle speed for all construction vehicles shall not exceed 15 mph on any unpaved surface at the construction site. • All trucks hauling dirt, sand, soil or other loose materials shall be covered or shall maintain at least two feet of freeboard (minimum vertical distance between top of load and top of trailer) in accordance with CVC Section 23114. • Install wheel washers where vehicles enter and exit unpaved roads onto streets, or wash off trucks and equipment leaving the site. • Sweep streets at the end of each day if visible soil material is carried onto adjacent paved roads. Water sweepers with reclaimed water shall be used where feasible. — Mitigation Measure AQ -3(c) Cover Stockpiled Soils. If importation, exportation, or stockpiling of fill material is involved, soil stockpiled for more than two days shall be covered, kept moist, or treated with soil binders to prevent dust generation. Trucks transporting material shall be tarped from the point of origin. City of San Luis Obispo December 2009 10 Findings of Fact and Statement of Considerations Orcutt Area Specific Plan Attachment 6 - Exhibit A — Mitigation Measure AQ -3(d) Dust Control Monitor. On all projects with an area of disturbance greater than 1 acre, the contractor or builder shall designate a person or persons to monitor the dust control program and to order increased watering as necessary to prevent transport of dust off -site. Their duties shall include holiday and weekend periods when work may not be in progress. b. Finding: The City finds that the above mitigation measures are feasible and have been adopted. Air quality impacts associated with construction of the Specific Plan would be adverse but not significant after mitigation measures are applied. D. BIOLOGICAL RESOURCES 1. Impact B -2: Development under the proposed Specific Plan could potentially impact special- status plant species and plant communities of special concern within the Plan Area. This is considered a Class II, significant but mitigable impact. a. Miti ag tion: The proposed Specific Plan includes the following goals, policies, and programs, which are intended to address potential impacts associated with this issue: Goal 2.2a through Goal 2.2c. Implementation of these provisions of the Specific Plan would reduce impacts to some extent. However, the following mitigation measures are required to further reduce impacts to biological resources. — Mitigation Measure B -2(a) Seasonally -Timed Botanical Surveys. When an applicant requests entitlements from the City under the Specific Plan, the City shall require the submittal of seasonally timed directed floral surveys based on the target list of plant species identified in Table 4.4 -2 to be completed in the spring and summer to determine the presence or absence of these species. The following table lists each potential on -site special - status plant species and where to survey for the species: Special- status plant species Habitat • Adobe sanicle • grassland, isolated seeps on Righetti Hill • Cambria morning -glory • grassland • Jones' layia • grassland • Marsh sandwort • fresh water emergent wetland • Obispo Indian paintbrush • grassland • Rayless ragwort • rocky slopes of Righetti Hill, grassland where weeds are scarce • Saline clover • grassland, wetland • San Luis Obispo sedge • grassland, coastal scrub, isolated seeps on Righetti Hill The survey shall be conducted by a qualified biologist verified by the City. Up to three separate survey visits may be required to capture the flowering period of the target species. The location and extent of any rare plant occurrences observed on the site should be documented in a report and accurately mapped onto site - specific topographic maps and aerial photographs. If special- status plants are identified, the development pursuant to the Specific Plan shall submit written proof that the CDFG has been contacted. San Luis Obispo December 2009 11 Findings of Fact and Statement of Overriding Considerations Orcutt Area Specific Plan Attachment 6 - Exhibit A — Mitigation Measure B -20) Special- Status Plant Buffer. Where special - status plants are found, site development plans shall be modified to avoid such occurrences with a minimum buffer of 50 feet. The applicant seeking entitlement shall establish conservation easements for such preserved areas, prior to issuance of the first building permit for subsequent tracts. The Specific Plan shall be amended at that time to place these areas formally into open space, possibly as an overlay area. If total avoidance is economically or technologically infeasible then plants shall be salvaged and relocated under direction of an approved botanist, in accordance with Mitigation Measures 13-2(c) through 13-2(f). If total avoidance can be achieved, Mitigation Measures 13-2(c) through B-2(f) would not be required. (It should be noted that avoidance is likely to be more cost effective in the long run compared to mitigation in the form of salvage and relocation). If total avoidance of special- status plant species can be achieved through Mitigation Measure 13- 2(b), Mitigation Measures B -2(c) through B -2(f) would not be required. — Mitigation Measure B -2(c) Incidental Take Permit. In the event that state listed species are discovered, the applicant seeking entitlements shall submit to the City signed copies of an incidental take permit and enacting agreements from the CDFG regarding those species as necessary under Section 2081 of the California Fish and Game Code prior to the initiation of grading. If a plant species that is listed under the federal Endangered Species Act is discovered, the applicant seeking entitlements shall provide proof of compliance with the federal Endangered Species Act, inclusive as necessary of signed copies of incidental take permit and associated enacting agreements, to the City prior to the initiation of grading. — Mitigation Measure B -2(d) Special- Status Species CDFG- Approved Mitigation Plan. If total avoidance of the species occurrences is economically or technologically infeasible, a mitigation program shall be developed by the City in consultation with CDFG as appropriate. A research study to determine the best mitigation approach for each particular species to be salvaged shall be conducted. The special - status plant species mitigation program may include the following: • The overall goal and measurable objectives of the mitigation and monitoring plan; • Specific areas proposed for revegetation and their size. Potential sites for mitigation would be any suitable site within proposed open space depending on the species that is appropriately buffered from development. For a list of suitable habitats for the mitigation of each species refer to the list in Mitigation Measure 13-2(a). • Specific habitat management and protection concepts to be used to ensure long- term maintenance and protection of the special - status plant species to be included (i.e.: annual population census surveys and habitat assessments; establishment of monitoring reference sites; fencing of special- status plant species preserves and signage to identify the environmentally sensitive areas; a seasonally -timed weed abatement program; and seasonally -timed seed and /or City of San Luis Obispo December 2009 12 Findings of Fact and Statement Overriding Considerations Orcutt Area Specific Plan Attachment 6 - Exhibit A topsoil collection, propagation, and reintroduction of special- status plant species into specified receiver sites); • Success criteria based on the goals and measurable objectives to ensure a viable population(s) on the project site in perpetuity; • An education program to inform residents of the presence of special - status plant species and sensitive biological resources on -site, and to provide methods that residents can employ to reduce impacts to these species/ resources m protected open space areas; • Reporting requirements to ensure consistent data collection and reporting methods used by monitoring personnel; and • Funding mechanism. — Mitigation Measure B -2(e) Special- Status Plant Monitoring Frequency. Monitoring shall occur annually and shall last at least five years to ensure successful establishment of all re- introduced or salvaged plants and no-net -loss of the species or its habitat. In the case of annual plants it is difficult to determine if there has been a net loss or gain in a five year period. Therefore an important component of the mitigation and monitoring plan shall be adaptive management. The adaptive management program shall address both foreseen and unforeseen circumstances relating to the preservation and mitigation programs. The plan shall include follow up surveys every five years in perpetuity or until a qualified biologist can demonstrate that the target special - status species has not experienced a net loss. It shall also include remedial measures to address negative impacts to the special - status plant species and their habitats (i.e.: removal of weeds, addition of seeding/ planting efforts) if the species is suffering a net loss at the time of the follow up surveys. — Mitigation Measure B -2(J) Special- Status Species Habitat Replacement. The primary goal of the mitigation and monitoring plan is to ensure a viable population and no-net -loss of special - status species habitat within the project site. To ensure the no-net -loss of a species, the applicant shall create two acres of occupied special - status species habitat for every one acre of habitat impacted by project development. If resource agencies require a higher replacement ratio than 2:1, their requirements would prevail. The creation of habitat can occur in conjunction with the mitigation/ relocation of wildflower field habitat if the research study indicates that the wildflower field and specific special - status plant species can be relocated and cohabitate. — Mitigation Measure B -2(g) Bunchgrass Survey. When an applicant requests entitlements from the City under the Specific Plan, the City shall require the submittal of a survey to identify any native perennial bunchgrass occurrences (this can be conducted simultaneously with special- status plant species surveys required in Mitigation Measure B -2(a) above). If occurrences of native perennial bunchgrass habitat of 0.5 acre or greater containing at least 10% or greater coverage of native perennial bunchgrass are found that area shall be placed in open space and a deed restriction placed over the area to protect it in perpetuity. If the area cannot be avoided for economical or technological reasons, then native grasses including City of San Luis Obispo December 2009 13 Findings of Fact and Statement or Overriding Considerations Orcutt Area Speck Plan Attachment 6 - Exhibit A perennial bunchgrasses shall be incorporated into the landscaping plant palette and the erosion control plan to replace the lost habitat: The most effective areas to receive native grass seed are graded areas that will be revegetated adjacent to open space. The acreage ratio of lost native perennial bunchgrass habitat to habitat replaced shall be no less than 1:1. Native perennial bunchgrass material shall come from locally collected seed stock to avoid contamination of the local gene pool. Because perennial bunchgrasses grow slowly at first, a "nurse" crop consisting of Nuttall's fescue (Vulpia microstachys), California brome (Bromus carinatus), and pinpoint clover (Trifolium gracilentum) shall be added to the mix to stabilize any graded areas while the bunchgrasses become established. No non -native invasive plant species shall be used in landscaping. California Invasive Plant Council (Cal - IPC) maintains a list of the most important invasive plants to avoid. This list shall be used when creating a plant palette for landscaping. Planting equipment (i.e.: hydroseeding tank and dispensing mechanism) shall be cleaned of remaining seed from previous applications prior to use on -site. The hydroseed applicator shall be responsible for ensuring tanks have been properly cleaned of any seed that is not a part of the specified mix. b. Finding: The City finds that the mitigation measures are feasible and have been adopted. Implementation of the above mitigation would reduce impacts to a less than significant level. 2. Impact B -3: Development under the proposed Specific Plan could affect locally- designated protected trees. This is considered a Class II, significant but mitigable impact. a. Mitigation: The proposed Specific Plan includes the following program, which is intended to address potential impacts associated with this issue: Program 4.3.4a. In addition to the above provisions indicated, the applicants under the Specific Plan will be required to comply with the City's Tree Regulations (City of San Luis Obispo, 1997). The following mitigation measure is also required to ensure compliance with the City's Tree Regulations and to reduce potential impacts to trees to a less than significant level. — Mitigation Measure 13-3(a) Construction Requirements. Development under the Specific Plan shall abide by the requirements of the City Arborist for construction. Requirements shall include but not be limited to: the protection of trees with construction setbacks from trees; construction fencing around trees; grading limits around the base of trees as required; and a replacement plan for trees removed including replacement at a minimum 1:1 ratio. b. Finding: The City finds that the mitigation measure is feasible and has been adopted. Implementation of the Specific Plan's program as described above along with the above mitigation measure would reduce impacts on trees to a less than significant level. 3. Impact B4: Development under the proposed Specific Plan would affect riparian woodland and wetland habitat. This is considered a Class II, significant but mitigable impact. City of San Luis Obispo December 2009 14 Findings of Fact and Statement Overriding Considerations { Orcutt Area Specific Plan Attachment 6 - Exhibit A a. Mitigation: The Specific Plan has incorporated goals, policies, and programs to alleviate impacts to biological resources. The goals, policies, and programs are as follows: Goal 2.2a, Goal 2.2b, Policy 2.2.1, Policy 2.2.2, Program 2.2.2a -c, Policy 2.2.3, Program 2.2.3a, Program 2.2.3b, Policy 2.2.4, Program 2.2.4a, Program 2.2.4b, Policy 2.2.5, Program 2.2.5a, Program 2.2.5b, Policy 2.2.6, Goal 2.2c, Policy 2.2.7, Policy 2.2.8, Goal 2.2.d, Policy 2.2.9, Program 2.2.9a, Program 2.2.9b, Policy 2.2.10, Program 2.2.10a. The following mitigation measures are required in addition to the above Specific Plan provisions to assure compliance with the City's Creek Setback Ordinance (Section 17.16.025 of the City's Zoning Regulations) and reduce impacts to riparian and wetland habitat to a less than significant level. Mitigation measures from the Drainage and Water Quality section below would further reduce - potentially significant impacts to wetlands. Also refer to Mitigation Measures under Impact B-5 that apply to setbacks with respect to special- status species. — Mitigation Measure B -4(a) Trail Setbacks. Trails shall be setback out of riparian habitat and out of the buffer area. The trail shall be a minimum distance of 20 feet from top of bank or from the edge of riparian canopy, whichever is farther. Trails shall be setback from wetland habitat at a minimum distance of 30 feet and shall not be within the buffer. Native plant species that will deter human disturbance shall be planted in the area between the trail and the wetland /riparian habitat including plants such as California rose (Rosa californica) and California blackberry (Rubus ursinus). No passive recreational use shall be allowed in the riparian or wetland habitats or drainage corridors. — Mitigation Measure 134(b) Development Setbacks. Development that abuts riparian and wetland mitigation areas shall also be setback at least 20 feet, and be buffered by an appropriately -sized fence and /or plants that deter human entry listed in B -4(a). — Mitigation Measure B-4(c) Riparian/ Wetland Mitigation. If riparian and /or wetland habitat are proposed for removal pursuant to development under the Specific Plan, such development shall apply for all applicable permits and submit a Mitigation Plan for areas of disturbance to wetlands and /or riparian habitat. The plan shall be prepared by a biologist familiar with restoration and mitigation techniques. Compensatory mitigation shall occur on -site using regionally collected native plant material at a minimum ratio of 2:1 (habitat created to habitat impacted) in areas shown on figure 4.4 -2 as directed by a biologist. The resource agencies may require a higher mitigation ratio. If the Orcutt Regional Basin is necessary as a mitigation site for waters of the U.S. and State it shall be designed as directed by a biologist taking into consideration hydrology, soils, and erosion control and using the final mitigation guidelines and monitoring requirements (U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, 2004). As noted above, the trail shall be setback out of the buffer area for riparian and wetland habitat. The plan shall include, but not be limited to the following components: City of San Luis Obispo December 2009 15 Findings of Fact and Statement Overriding Considerations O Orcutt Area Specific Plan Attachment 6 - Exhibit A 1) Description of the project /impact site (i.e.: location, responsible parties, jurisdictional areas to be filled/ impacted by habitat type); 2) goal(s) of the compensatory mitigation project (type(s) and area(s) of habitat to be established, restored, enhanced, and /or preserved, specific functions and values of habitat type(s) to be established, restored, enhanced, and /or preserved); 3) description of the proposed compensatory mitigation -site (location and size, ownership status, existing functions and values of the compensatory mitigation - site); 4) implementation plan for the compensatory mitigation -site (rationale for expecting implementation success, responsible parties, schedule, site preparation, planting plan); 5) maintenance activities during the monitoring period (activities, responsible parties, schedule); 6) monitoring plan for the compensatory mitigation -site (performance standards, target functions and values, target hydrological regime, target jurisdictional and non - jurisdictional acreages to be established, restored, enhanced, and /or preserved, annual monitoring reports); 7) completion of compensatory mitigation (notification of completion, agency confirmation); and 8) contingency measures (initiating procedures, alternative locations for contingency compensatory mitigation, funding mechanism). In addition, erosion control and landscaping specifications included in the mitigation plan shall allow only natural -fiber, biodegradable meshes and coir rolls, to prevent impacts to the environment and to fish and terrestrial wildlife. b. Finding: The City finds that the mitigation measures are feasible and have been adopted. Implementation of the Specific Plan's goals, policies and programs, along with these required mitigation measures would reduce impacts to riparian woodland and wetland habitat to a less than significant level and ensure that the project is in compliance with the regulatory agencies and the Creek Setback Ordinance as contained in the Zoning Regulations (2004). 4. Impact B -5: Development under the proposed Specific Plan could potentially impact special - status wildlife species and their habitats within the Plan Area. This is considered a Class II, significant but mitigable impact. a. Mitigation: The Specific Plan establishes permanent open space for the creek area, and when combined with the buffering setbacks required by the City, impacts would be reduced substantially. Compliance with Federal and State regulations governing the wetland and riparian habitat types on -site (described in Impact B -3) would also reduce impacts to these important biological resources. Specific Plan policies would also require any development proposal pursuant to the Specific Plan that would remove riparian or wetland areas to mitigate for such impacts. However, the following additional mitigation measures are required to reduce impacts to all special- status wildlife species to a less than significant level. City of San Luis Obispo December 2009 16 Findings of Fact and StatementurOveniding Considerations Orcutt Area Specific Plan Attachment 6 - Exhibit A — Mitigation Measure B -5(a) Bird Pre - Construction Survey. To avoid impacts to nesting special - status bird species and raptors including the ground- nesting burrowing owl, all initial ground- disturbing activities and tree removal shall be limited to the time period between September 15 and February 1. If initial site disturbance, grading, and tree removal cannot be conducted during this time period, a pre - construction survey for active nests within the limits of grading shall be conducted by a qualified biologist at the site no more than 30 days prior to the start of any construction activities (for ground- nesting burrowing owl survey see below). If active nests are located, all construction work must be conducted outside a buffer zone of 250 feet to 500 feet from the nests as determined in consultation with the CDFG. No direct disturbance to nests shall occur until the adults and young are no longer reliant on the nest site. A qualified biologist shall confirm that breeding /nesting is completed and young have fledged the nest prior to the start of construction. — Mitigation Measure B -5(b) Burrowing Owl Survey. When an applicant requests entitlements from the City under the Specific Plan a qualified biologist shall conduct surveys for burrowing owls during both the wintering and nesting seasons (unless the species is detected on the first survey) in potentially suitable habitats prior to construction in accordance with the guidelines described in the CDFG Staff Report on Burrowing Owl Mitigation (1995). Winter surveys shall be conducted on the entire project site between December 1 and February 1, and the nesting season survey shall be conducted between April 15 and July 15. If burrowing owls are detected within the proposed disturbance area, CDFG shall be contacted immediately to develop and implement a mitigation plan to protect owls and their nest sites. — Mitigation Measure B -5(c) Monarch Pre - Construction Survey. If initial ground- breaking is to occur between the months of October and March a pre - construction survey for active monarch roost sites within the limits of grading shall be conducted by a qualified biologist at the site two weeks prior to any construction activities. If active roost sites are located no ground- disturbing activities shall occur within 50 feet of the perimeter of the habitat. Construction shall not resume within the setback until a qualified biologist has determined that the monarch butterfly has vacated the site. — Mitigation Measure B -5(d) VPFS Sampling Surveys. Prior to development in areas shown as potential VPFS habitat on Figure 4.4 -2, current USFWS protocol level sampling surveys shall be conducted in all such areas. A report consistent with current Federal, State, and local reporting guidelines shall be prepared to document the methods and results of surveys. If VPFS are found, the report shall include a map that identifies the VPFS locations. Should the presence of additional special - status wildlife species be determined including California linderiella, a map identifying locations in which these species were found shall be prepared and included in the report. City of San Luis Obispo December 2009 17 Findings of Fact and Statement Overriding Considerations Orcutt Area Speck Plan Attachment 6 - Exhibit A — Mitigation Measure B -5(e) FESA Consultation and Mitigation Regarding VPFS. If any VPFS individuals are located on -site pursuant to Mitigation Measure B -5(d), substantial setbacks from their identified habitat shall be implemented to avoid take of a Federally listed species. If complete avoidance is not economically or technically feasible, then Section 10 of the Federal Endangered Species Act (FESA) shall be used to authorize incidental take when no other Federal agency such as the Corps is involved. This process includes development of a Habitat Conservation Plan for protecting and enhancing the Federally listed species at a specific location in perpetuity. Species take can also be authorized under Section 7 of the FESA if a Federal agency is involved in the project (e.g., Corps Section 404 permitting for impacts to waters of the U.S. and /or Federal funding) and agrees to be the lead agency requesting Section 7 consultation. This consultation process takes at a minimum 135 days from the official request by the Federal lead agency. The compensatory mitigation ratio shall be determined by the appropriate resource agencies. Suitable replacement habitat shall be constructed either within the site boundaries or off -site. Figure 4.4 -2 identifies areas that could be appropriate for on- site VPFS mitigation. Figure 4.4 -2 is not intended to preclude development but shall be used as a starting point for incorporating VPFS mitigation sites into the development plan. While the Orcutt Regional Basin included in the potential VPFS mitigation sites may need regular maintenance and may be seasonally flooded, depressions could be created on the upper edges of the terrace in such a manner that they are protected from flooding. VPFS mitigation areas shall be approved by a biologist familiar with VPFS habitat "creation" techniques. Enhancement of the on- site seasonal freshwater wetland habitat that is undisturbed by project activities may also be a part of the mitigation program. Alternatively, fairy shrimp cysts could be collected during the dry season from the existing habitat and placed into storage. Topsoil could also be removed and stored in conditions suitable to retain cysts. Wetland habitat could be enhanced /created in the areas shown on Figure 4.4 -2 by grading depressions in the landscape and "top dressing" the depressions with the preserved topsoil. Preserved cysts would be added to the recreated wetlands in December or January, after sufficient ponding has occurred. It is important to note that VPFS habitat mitigation is still considered experimental. VPFS habitat mitigation is ambitious as it is costly, labor intensive, and difficult to ensure success. Habitat may be "created" only in an existing vernal pool landscape that provides suitable soils and a number of other specific ecological factors (USFWS, 2004). An alternative to on -site mitigation is the purchase of mitigation bank credits. Credits can be purchased by the acre as suitable mitigation for VPFS. There is currently no known mitigation bank with VPFS habitat occurring within San Luis Obispo County, however, mitigation banks may be available in the future. b. Finding: The City finds that the mitigation measures are feasible and have been adopted. Implementation of the above mitigation measures would reduce impacts to special- status wildlife species and their habitats to a less than significant level. City of San Luis Obispo December 2009 18 Findings of Fact and Statement Considerations v Orcutt Area Specific Plan Attachment 6 - Exhibit A 5. Impact B-6: Development under the proposed Specific Plan would reduce the populations and available habitat of wildlife in general. The loss of wildlife habitat is considered a Class II, significant but mitigable impact. a. Mitigation: The following mitigation measures are required to fully reduce impacts to a less than significant level. — Mitigation Measure B -6(a) Minimized Roadway Widths. Roadway widths adjacent to riparian and wetland habitats shall be reduced to the minimum width possible, while maintaining Fire Department Requirements for emergency access, with slower speed limits introduced. Posted speed limits should be 25 mph. — Mitigation Measure B -6(b) Culvert Design. Although closed culverts are to be the drainage conveyance method of last resort per the City Waterways Management Plan, where they are required, culverts connecting the Plan Area drainage corridors with upstream and downstream drainage corridors shall be evaluated during the suitability analysis pursuant to Mitigation Measure B -5(a) to determine their importance to wildlife who could use them to travel to and from the site. If culverts are found to be of importance to wildlife, the culverts shall be evaluated for their potential for improvement (i.e. retrofitting, maintenance, or specific improvements depending on the types of species using them). The development pursuant to the Specific Plan and the City shall develop a plan for the improvement of the culverts. Preservation of the wildlife corridors that are present on the project site can be achieved with sufficient setbacks from riparian and wetland habitats. Refer to B-4 for mitigation regarding riparian and wetland habitat setbacks. — Mitigation Measure B -6(c) Educational Pet Brochure. Any development pursuant to the Specific Plan shall prepare a brochure that informs prospective homebuyers and Home Owners Association (HOA) members about the impacts associated with non -native animals, especially cats and dogs, to the project site; similarly, the brochure must inform potential homebuyers and all HOA members of the potential for coyotes to prey on domestic animals. — Mitigation Measure B -6(d) Landscaping Plan Review. To ensure that project landscaping does not introduce invasive non -native plant and tree species to the region of the site, the final landscaping plan shall be reviewed and approved by a qualified biologist. The California Invasive Plant Council (Cal -IPC) maintains several lists of the most important invasive plants to avoid. The lists shall be used when creating a plant palette for landscaping to ensure that plants on the lists are not used. The following plants shall not allowed as part of potential landscaping plans pursuant to development under the Specific Plan: ■ African sumac (Rhus lancea) • Australian saltbush (Atriplex semibaccata) • Black locust (Robinia pseudoacacia) • California pepper (Schinus molle) and Brazilian pepper (S. terebinthifolius) City of San Luis Obispo December 2009 19 Findings of Fact and Statemeni,ui Overriding Considerations Orcutt Area Specific Plan Attachment 6 - Exhibit A • Cape weed (Arctotheca calendula) • Cotoneaster (Cotoneaster pannosus), (C. lacteus) • Edible fig (Ficus carica) • Fountain grass (Pennisetum setaceum) • French broom (Genista monspessulana) • Ice plant, sea fig (Carpobrotus edulis) • Leafy spurge (Euphorbia esula) • Myoporum (Myoporum spp.) • Olive (Olea europaea) • Pampas grass (Cortaderia selloana), and Andean pampas grass (C. jubata) • Russian olive (Elaeagnus angusticifolia) • Scotch broom (Cytisus scoparius) and striated broom (C. striatus) • Spanish broom (Spartium junceum) • Tamarix, salt cedar (Tamarix chinensis), (T. gallica), (T. parviflora), (T. ramosissima) • Blue gum (Eucalyptus globulus) ■ Athel tamarisk (Tamarix aphylla) With the exception of poison oak, only those species listed in the Specific Plan's Suggested Plant List (Appendix E) shall not be planted anywhere on -site because they are invasive non - native plant species. Poison oak is a native plant species and could be used to deter human entrance to an area such as a mitigation /enhancement area. b. Finding: The City finds that the mitigation measures are feasible and have been adopted. Implementation of the above mitigation measures would reduce impacts to wildlife habitat in general to a less than significant level. E. CULTURAL RESOURCES 1. Impact CR -1: There is the potential that project construction will disturb previously unidentified buried archeological deposits and /or human remains. This is considered a Class II, significant but mitigable impact. a. Mitigation: The Specific Plan has incorporated the following goals, polices, and programs to alleviate impacts to cultural resources: Goal 2.5, Policy 2.5.1, Policy 2.7.1a, and Program 2.7.1a. In addition to these provisions incorporated in the Specific Plan, the following mitigation measures would further reduce impacts related to cultural resources to less than significant levels. — Mitigation Measure CR -1(a) Areas Not Surveyed. All areas that were not surveyed by Conejo, as indicated in Figure 4.5 -1, that will be subject to project- related earth disturbance shall be subject to archaeological survey prior to any such disturbances. This shall include APNs 076 - 481 -014, 076 -481 -012, 076 - 491 -003, 075 -491 -004, and 076- 491- 001, any planned trails or other developments within the areas designated as open space. City of San Luis Obispo December 2009 20 Findings of Fact and Statement Overriding Considerations O Orcutt Area Specific Plan Attachment 6 - Exhibit A — Mitigation Measure CR -1(b) Righetti Hill. Even though it is located within an area designated as open space, the top of Righetti Hill should be subject to archaeological survey. The City is responsible for the survey as part of any project to create a trail system that would provide access to the top of the hill by the general public. — Mitigation Measure CR -1(0 Vegetation Clearance Monitoring. Due to poor ground surface visibility, vegetation clearance /initial grading of the areas shown on Figure 4.5 -2 should be monitored by an archaeologist. The archaeologist shall have the power to temporarily halt or redirect project construction in the event that potentially significant archaeological resources are exposed. Based on monitoring observations the lead archaeologist shall have the authority to refine the monitoring requirements as appropriate (i.e., change to spot checks, reduce the area to be monitored) in consultation with the lead agency. If potentially significant prehistoric or historic resources are exposed the lead archaeologist shall be responsible for evaluating the nature and significance of the find. If no archaeological resources are observed following the vegetation clearance /initial grading then no further monitoring shall be required. A monitoring report shall be provided to the City of San Luis Obispo and the CCIC. — Mitigation Measure CR -1(d) Archaeological Resource Construction Monitoring. At the commencement of project construction, an orientation meeting shall be conducted by an archaeologist for construction workers associated with earth disturbing procedures. The orientation meeting shall describe the possibility of exposing unexpected archaeological resources and directions as to what steps are to be taken if such a find is encountered. An archaeologist shall monitor construction grading within 50 meters (164 feet) of the two isolated finds. In the event that prehistoric or historic archaeological resources are exposed during project construction, all earth disturbing work within 50 meters (164 feet) of the find must be temporarily suspended or redirected until an archaeologist has evaluated the nature and significance of the find. After the find has been appropriately mitigated (e.g., curation, preservation in place, etc.), work in the area may resume. The City should consider retaining a Chumash representative to monitor any field work associated with Native American cultural material. If human remains are exposed, State Health and Safety Code Section 7050.5 requires that no further disturbance shall occur until the County Coroner has made the necessary findings as to origin and disposition pursuant to Public Resources Code Section 5097.98. b. Findin g: The City finds that the mitigation measures are feasible and have been adopted. Implementation of the Specific Plan's provisions and the required mitigation measures would reduce disturbance of archeological deposits and human remains to less than significant levels. City of San Luis Obispo December 2009 21 Findings of Fact and Statemenfor'Overriding Considerations O Orcutt Area Specific Plan Attachment 6 - Exhibit A 2. Impact CR -2: Project development will result in earth disturbance at several locations considered sensitive for archaeological resources. This is considered a Class II, significant but mitigable impact. a. Miti ag tion: The following mitigation measures would reduce potential impacts related to identified archaeological resources to a less than significant level. — Mitigation Measure CR -2(a) Subsurface Archaeological Testing. If avoidance of an archaeological site(s) is not possible, a Subsurface Archaeological Resource Evaluation (SARE) shall be completed prior to issuance of a Land Use Permit. A SARE should be undertaken for Orcutt-1 with the following goals: a) Determine if there are intact subsurface deposits associated unth this site; b) Determine the site's boundaries; c) Assess the site's integrity, i.e., is it intact or highly disturbed; and d) Evaluate the site's importance or significance. The City should consider retaining a Chumash representative to monitor any subsurface testing /excavation at Orcutt-1. Results of the Phase 2 Evaluation will determine the need or lack thereof for additional data recovery and /or construction monitoring in the archaeological site area. When feasible, avoidance of impacts through project redesign is the preferred method for mitigating impacts to significant archaeological resources. The archaeological excavation(s) shall be based on a written explicit research design that includes a statement or research objectives and a program for carrying out these objectives. All cultural materials collected shall be curated at a qualified institution that has proper facilities and staffing for insuring research access to the collections. — Mitigation Measure CR -2(b) Construction Monitoring. An archaeologist should monitor construction grading in the vicinity of the two isolated finds. b. Findnne: The City finds that the mitigation measures are feasible and have been adopted. Impacts would be reduced to less than significant with implementation of proposed mitigation. 3. Impact CR -3: Implementation of the proposed project could result in indirect impacts to identified archaeological resources. This is considered a Class II, significant but mitigable impact. a. Mitigation: The following mitigation measure would reduce potential indirect impacts related to identified archaeological resources to a less than significant level. — Mitigation Measure CR -3(a) Prohibition of Archaeological Site Tampering. Off - road vehicle use, unauthorized collecting of artifacts, and other activities that could destroy or damage archaeological or cultural sites shall be prohibited. Signs shall be City of San Luis Obispo December 22 Findings of Fact and Statemenf or Overriding Considerations Orcutt Area Specific Plan Attachment 6 - Exhibit A posted on the property to discourage these types of activities and warn of trespassing violations and imposed fines. b. Finding: The City finds that the mitigation measure is feasible and has been adopted. Impacts would be reduced to less than significant with implementation of proposed mitigation. 4. Impact CR-4: Implementation of the proposed project could result in indirect impacts to historical resources. This is considered a Class II, significant but mitigable impact. a. Mitigation: The following mitigation measure would reduce potential indirect impacts related to historical resources to a less than significant level. Mitigation Measure CR -4(a) Historical Evaluation. Prior to development, a qualified historian should be retained to conduct a historical evaluation of the 50+ year old structures within the Orcutt Area using the City's Historic Preservation Program Guidelines. Any structure determined to be an important /significant historic resource shall be mitigated as appropriate prior to its demolition or relocation. The historic structure evaluation should include the history of the Skinner /Righetti Ranch and the ranch complex should be recorded on appropriate DPR forms. Finally, the historian shall determine if project development will have any significant direct or indirect impacts on the Bettencourt /Rodriguez. Adobe, a city historic landmark located immediately adjacent to the Orcutt Area. b. Finding: The City finds that the mitigation measure is feasible and has been adopted. Impacts would be reduced to less than significant with implementation of proposed mitigation. F. DRAINAGE AND WATER QUALITY 1. Impact D -1: During construction of the proposed project, the soil surface would be disrupted and potentially become subject to erosion, with potential off -site sedimentation and pollutant discharges. Alterations in drainage patterns and grading during the construction period could result in construction- related erosion problems. This is considered a Class II, significant but mitigable impact. a. Mitigation: The following mitigation measures address the above requirements for construction and post - construction scenarios: — Mitigation Measure D -1(a) Erosion Control Plan. Prior to issuance of the first Grading Permit or approval of improvement plans, the applicant shall submit to the Directors of Community Development and Public Works for review and approval a detailed erosion control plan (ECP) to mitigate erosion and sedimentation impacts during the construction period. The detailed ECP shall be accompanied by a written narrative and be approved by the City Engineer. At a minimum, the ECP and City of San Luis Obispo December 2009 23 Findings of Fact and Statement Overriding Considerations O Orcutt Area Specific Plan Attachment 6 - Exhibit A written narrative should be prepared according to the guidelines outlined in the DDM and should include the following: • A proposed schedule of grading activities, monitoring, and infrastructure milestones in chronological format; • Identification of critical areas of high erodibility potential and /or unstable slopes; • Soil stabilization techniques such as short-term biodegradable erosion control blankets and hydroseeding should be utilized. Silt fences should be installed downslope of all graded slopes. Straw bales should be installed in the flow path of graded areas receiving concentrated flows, as well as around storm drain inlets; • Description of erosion control measures on slopes, lots, and streets; • Contour and spot elevations indicating runoff patterns before and after grading; • Filter systems at catch basins (drop inlets) in public streets as a means of sediment control; and • The post - construction inspection of all drainage facilities for accumulated sediment, and the clearing of these drainage structures of debris and sediment. — Mitigation Measure D -1(b) Storm Water Pollution Prevention Plan. The applicant shall comply with NPDES General Construction Activities Storm Water Permit Requirements established by the CWA. Pursuant to the NPDES Storm Water Program, an application for coverage under the statewide General Construction Activities Storm Water Permit (General Permit) must be obtained for project development. It is the responsibility of the project applicant to obtain coverage prior to site construction. The applicant can obtain coverage under the General Permit by filing a Notice of Intent (NOI) with the State Water Resource Control Board's (SWRCB) Division of Water Quality. The filing shall describe erosion control and storm water treatment measures to be implemented during and following construction and provide a schedule for monitoring performance. These BMPs will serve to control point and non -point source (NPS) pollutants in storm water and constitute the project's SWPPP for construction activities. While the SWPPP will include several of the same components as the ECP, the SWPPP will also include BMPs for preventing the discharge of other NPS pollutants besides sediment (such as paint, concrete, etc.) to downstream waters. • Notice of Intent. Prior to beginning construction, the applicant shall file a Notice of Intent (NOI) for discharge from the proposed development site. • Storm Water Pollution Prevention Plan. The applicant shall require the building contractor to prepare and submit a SWPPP to the City forty-five (45) days prior to the start of work for approval. The contractor is responsible for understanding the State General Permit and instituting the SWPPP during construction. A SWPPP for site construction shall be developed prior to the initiation of grading and implemented for all construction activity on the project site in excess of one acre. The SWPPP shall include specific BMPs to control the discharge of material City of San Luis Obispo December 2009 24 Findings of Fact and Statement of OverTiding Considerations Orcutt Area Specific Plan Attachment 6 - Exhibit A from the site. BMP methods may include, but would not be limited to, the use of temporary detention basins, straw bales, sand bagging, mulching, erosion control blankets, silt fencing, and soil stabilizers. Additional BMPs should be implemented for any fuel storage or fuel handling that could occur on -site during construction. The SWPPP must be prepared in accordance with the guidelines adopted by the State Water Resources Control Board (SWRCB). The SWPPP shall be also submitted to the City along with grading /development plans for review and approval. • Notice of Completion of Construction. The applicant shall file a notice of completion of construction of the development, identifying that pollution sources were controlled during the construction of the project and implementing a closure SWPPP for the site. b. Finding: The City finds that the mitigation measures are feasible and have been adopted. Implementation of an Erosion Control Plan and Stormwater Pollution Prevention Plan would reduce impacts from construction erosion to less than significant levels. 2. Impact D -2: Increased runoff on -site could deteriorate on -site streambank conditions, leading to long -term erosion on -site. Impacts are considered Class II, significant but mitigable. a. Mitigation: The proposed Specific Plan includes the following goals, policies, and programs, which are intended to address potential impacts associated with this issue: Policy 2.2.4, Program 2.2.4a, and Program 2.2.4b. The following mitigation measures are recommended. — Mitigation Measure D -2(a) Vegetative and Biotechnical Approaches to Bank Stabilization. Vegetative or biotechnical (also referred to as soil bioengineering) approaches to bank stabilization are preferred over structural approaches. Bank stabilization design must be consistent with the SLO Creek Stream Management and Maintenance Program Section 6. Streambank stabilization usually involves one or a combination of the following activities: • Regrading and revegetating the streambanks to eliminate overhanging banks and create a more stable slope; • Deflecting erosional water flow away from vulnerable sites; • Reducing the steepness of the channel bed through installation of grade stabilization structures; • Altering the geometry of the channel to influence flow velocities and sediment deposition; • Diverting a portion of the higher flow into a secondary or by -pass channel; • Armoring or protecting the bank to control erosion, particularly at the toe of slopes. The bank stabilization design will: City of San Luis Obispo December 2009 25 Findings of Fact and Statement or Overriding Considerations Orcutt Area Specific Plan Attachment 6 - Exhibit A • Be stable over the long term; • Be the least environmentally damaging and the "softest" approach possible; • Not create upstream or downstream flooding or induce other local stream instabilities; • Minimize impacts to aquatic and riparian habitat; • Specify that only natural -fiber, biodegradable meshes and coir rolls be used, to prevent impacts to the environment and to fish and terrestrial wildlife. — Mitigation Measure D -2(b) Constructed Natural Channel. Where the creeks within the Orcutt Plan Area may need to be modified to create sufficient conveyance capacity and mitigate geomorphic instability, (i.e. floodable terraces within the proposed linear park), design guidelines from Section 5.3 of the SLO Creek Drainage Design Manual shall be applied. The waterways are to be designed in accordance with all provisions of the design criteria applicable to Constructed Natural Channels. Typically, this would include construction of a compound channel utilizing an in- channel bench or terrace whenever feasible, considerations of stable channel planform geometry, use of setbacks and buffer strips at top of bank, planting using native plants, and slope stabilization using biotechnical erosion control methods. — Mitigation Measure D -2(c) Riparian Zone Planting. The GASP proposes riparian enhancement of creek corridors. Section 11 guidelines of the SLO Creek Drainage Design Manual shall be followed for riparian areas that are modified, created and /or managed for flood damage reduction, stream enhancement, and bank repair. Linear park terrace vegetation, streambank repair and channel maintenance projects may require stream channel modifications that include shaping, widening, deepening, straightening, and armoring. Many channel management projects also require building access roads for maintenance vehicles and other equipment. These construction activities can cause a variety of impacts to existing sensitive riparian and aquatic habitat that, depending on the selected design altemative, range from slight disturbances to complete removal of desirable woody vegetation and faunal communities. In urban areas within the SLO creek watershed, riparian vegetation often provides the only remaining natural habitat available for wildlife populations. b. Finding: The City finds that the mitigation measures are feasible and have been adopted. Implementation of the mitigation measures above will ensure appropriate bank stabilization, channel modification, and riparian revegetation methods to mitigate the contribution of on -site sediments to the detention basin system. 3. Impact D -3: Regional detention basin storage has the potential to have downstream erosion impacts from longer durations of downstream flows. This impact is considered a Class II, significant but mitigable impact. a. Mitigation: The Specific Plan incorporated the following design criteria for the proposed basins within the Plan area: • Reduce 100 -year post development peak runoff to 25 -year pre - development rate. • Reduce 50 -year post development peak runoff to 20 year pre - development rate. City of San Luis Obispo December 2009 Findings of Fact and Statement or Overriding Considerations O Orcutt Area Specific Plan Attachment 6 - Exhibit A • Limit 10 -year post development peak runoff to 10 -year pre - development rate. • Limit 2 -year post development peak runoff to within 5 percent of the 2 year pre - development rate. In addition to the above criteria proposed, the following mitigation measure is recommended to further reduce impacts caused by downstream flow and erosion: — Mitigation Measure D -3(a) Payment of Fair Share Fees for Area Drainage Improvements. The City/Zone 9 Waterway Management Plan (WMP, Questa, 2002) provides for imposition of a Drainage Impact Fee on new development projects that would result in adverse hydrological impacts. The Drainage Impact Fee can only be used to pay for drainage improvements made necessary by the hydrologic impacts of a project. The applicant shall pay their "fair share" of any mitigation fee established by the City of San Luis Obispo for drainage improvements made necessary by cumulative project development. These fair share fees may be used to fund components of the City's Storm Drain Master Plan (Boyle Engineering, 2000), or other improvements as identified by the City. Components of the City's Storm Drain Master Plan preferred alternative downstream of the Orcutt Plan Area include: • A new concrete box culvert at Broad Street on Orcutt Creek, • A new concrete slab bridge at Santa Fe Road on the East Branch of SLO Creek, and • A modified channel for improved conveyance capacity from Santa Fe to Buckley Road on the East Branch of SLO Creek. b. Finding: The City finds that the mitigation measure is feasible and has been adopted. In association with the Specific Plan's design criteria, implementation of the proposed mitigation measure would reduce impacts to less than significant levels. 4. Impact D -4: Development of the proposed project could result in an increase in peak discharges at downstream locations. This impact is considered a Class II, significant but mitigable impact. a. Mitigation: The following mitigation measures are recommended to ensure proper design and safety of detention facilities: — Mitigation Measure D -4(a) Compliance with City's Drainage Design Manual. All drainage improvements must be constructed in accordance with Section 9 of the City's Drainage Design Manual. Either subregional facilities shall be constructed with the first phase of development or interim (on -site) drainage control shall be constructed. Interim facilities can be abandoned once regional facilities are available. The applicant shall submit a detention system plan to the Director of Public Works for review and approval. The detention basins shall be designed to comply with applicable City drainage design standards and at a minimum have the following features: City of San Luis Obispo December 2009 27 n � Findings of Fact and Statement of Overriding Considerations Orcutt Area Specific Plan Attachment 6 - Exhibit A • Each basin should include an outlet structure to allow the basin to drain completely within 48 hours. The amount of outflow can be regulated with a fixed outfall structure. Such a structure must include an outfall pipe of a size and length that will give positive control on the outfall head. The principal outlet .regulates the design discharge from the watershed above at a water level in the basin that does not exceed a certain maximum elevation. • Regional, or larger on -site facilities can pose significant hazards to public safety in the event of failure. In addition to the outlet control structure, an emergency overflow spillway (secondary overflow) must be provided. This spillway must satisfy the following requirements: — The spillway must be designed to pass the 100 -year design storm event if the outlet works fail or if a runoff event exceeds the design event. The spillway design will be based on peak runoff rates for developed site conditions, assuming that the basins fill to the crest of the spillway prior to the beginning of the design event. — The spillway must be located so overflow is conveyed safely to the downstream channel. • Each basin shall be designed with an emergency spillway that can pass the 100 - year storm event with 2 -foot freeboard between the design water surface elevation and the top of the embankment. At a minimum the basin must contain the 10 -year flow without release to emergency spillway: If flows over the emergency spillway do occur, provisions must be made or be in place that will convey such flows safely. • The design volume of the basin must be sized to include the capacity for a five (5) year accumulation of sediment. Generally, the basin should be cleared out when it is half -full, as determined on a marked staff in the bottom of the basin, or a mark on a riser pipe. The amount of potential sedimentation in the basin shall be determined by a soils engineer or hydrologist, using the procedures such as those outlined in the Association of Bay Area Government's (ABAG) Manual of Standards for Erosion and Sediment Control (May 1995) or as approved by the City Engineer or County Public Works Director. • The basin and its outfall must be sized so that approximately 85% of the total stormwater storage, excluding sediment storage in the basin, can be recovered within twenty-four hours of the peak inflow. A basin overflow system must provide controlled discharge (emergency spillway) for the 100 -year design event without overtopping the basin embankment and maintain adequate freeboard. The design must provide controlled discharge directly into the downstream conveyance system or safe drainage way. The principal outlet must be able to drain the detention facility within 48 hours of the end of the 100 -year storm by gravity flow through the principal outlet. • Any detention basin design must be accompanied by a soils report. This report should address allowable safe basin slopes with respect to liquefaction, rapid draw down, wave action and so forth. Additionally, the report should also address sedimentation transport from areas above the basin and allowable City of San Luis Obispo December 2009 28 Findings of Fact and Statement Overriding Considerations O Orcutt Area Specific Plan Attachment 6 - Exhibit A bearing pressures where structures are to be placed. The soils report must address the level of the water table and the effects of the basin excavation on the water table. — Mitigation Measure D-4(b) Final Drainage Detention System Verification. Final detention basin system designs for project - specific EIRs within the Orcutt Plan Area shall be submitted to the Public Works Department. Per the Wastewater Management Plan, the project shall not cause more than a 5% increase of peak run off rates for the 2 -, 50 -, and 100 -year 24 hour storm event.. Final basin designs shall provide stage- storage- outflow curves and outfall structure details for all detention basins. The San Luis Obispo SLO /Zone 9 HEC -HMS hydrology model may be used to model final detention basin system cumulative downstream impacts should specific projects propose substantial changes to conceptual design, at the discretion of the City Engineer. b. Finding: The City finds that the mitigation measures are feasible and have been adopted. In association with the Specific Plan's design criteria, implementation of the proposed mitigation measure would reduce impacts to less than significant levels. While the proposed detention system is not predicted to have significant downstream impacts on peak discharge rates, the current design of detention structures is still conceptual for the OASP. The implementation of Mitigation Measure D -4(a) would ensure that project impacts associated with proposed OASP development would be less than significant. 5. Impact D -5: During long -term operation of the proposed project, runoff from the site could affect the water quality in creeks within the Specific Plan Area. Project development could result in an increase in non -point source (NPS) pollutants to receiving waters. Impacts are considered Class II, significant but mitigable. a. Mitigation: The following mitigation measures are recommended: — Mitigation Measure D -5(a) Biofilters. The applicant shall submit to the Director of Community Development for review and approval a plan that incorporates grassed swales (biofilters) into the project drainage system where feasible for runoff conveyance and filtering of pollutants. A preferred alternative to concrete drainage swales to transport the runoff to roadside ditches, these swales shall be lined with grass or appropriate vegetation to encourage the biofiltration of sediment, phosphorus, trace metals, and petroleum from runoff prior to discharge into the formal drainage network. General design guidelines relevant to optimizing the pollutant removal mechanisms of grassed swales are: 1) a dense, uniform growth of fine- stemmed herbaceous plants for optimal filtering of pollutants; 2) vegetation that is tolerant to the water, climatological, and soil conditions of the project site is preferred; 3) grassed swales that maximize water contact with the vegetation and soil surface have the potential to substantially improve removal rates, particularly of soluble pollutants; and 4) pollutant removal efficiency is increased as the flow path length is increased. General maintenance guidelines for biofilters are discussed in Mitigation Measure D -5(b). City of San Luis Obispo December 2009 29 Findings of Fact and Statement Overriding Considerations Orcutt Area Specific Plan Attachment 6 - Exhibit A A Best Management Practice (BMP) filter device shall be installed to intercept water flowing off of proposed parking lot and roadway surfaces. Water quality BMPs shall be those identified in the California Stormwater Quality association's BMP handbook. Whenever feasible, the preferred approach to treating surface runoff will be the use of drainage swales rather than mechanical devices. The chosen method for treating runoff shall be a proven and documented pollution prevention technology device that removes oil and sediment from stormwater runoff, and retains the contaminants for safe and easy removal. The chosen device shall possess design features to prevent re- suspension of previously collected contaminants and materials, and contain a built -in diversion structure to divert intense runoff events and prevent scouring of the previously collected sediments. The filter devices shall be designed and sized to treat the run -off from the first 25 mm (1 inch) of rainfall. The storm water quality system must be reviewed and approved by the City Director of Public Works. — Mitigation Measure D -5(b) SWPPP Maintenance Guidelines. Prior to issuance of the first grading permit or approval of improvement plans, the applicant shall submit to the Director of Community Development and Director of Public Works for review and approval a long -term storm water pollution prevention plan ( SWPPP) to protect storm water quality after the construction period. The SWPPP shall include the following additional BMPs to protect storm water quality: • Proper maintenance of parking lots and other paved areas can eliminate the majority of litter and debris washing into storm drains and thus entering local waterways. Regular sweeping is a simple and effective BMP aimed at reducing the amount of litter in storm drain inlets (to prevent clogging) and public waterways (for water quality). The project applicant shall enter into an agreement with the City of San Luis Obispo to ensure this maintenance is completed prior to approval of improvement plans or final maps. • Proper maintenance of biofilters is essential to maintain functionality. The maintenance of biofilters on the project site will be the responsibility of a homeowner's association for the proposed project. Biofilter maintenance would include: 1) Regular mowing to promote growth and increase density and pollutant uptake (vegetative height should be no more than 8 inches, cuttings must be promptly removed and properly disposed of); 2) Removal of sediments during summer months when they build up to 6 inches at any spot, cover biofilter vegetation, or otherwise interfere with biofilter operation; and 3) Reseeding of biofilters as necessary, whenever maintenance or natural processes create bare spots. • Proper maintenance of detention basins is necessary to ensure their effectiveness at preventing downstream drainage problems and promoting water quality. Necessary detention basin maintenance includes: 1) regular inspection during the wet season for sediment buildup and clogging of inlets and outlets; 2) regular (appro)dmately every 2 -3 years) removal of basin sediment; and 3) if an open detention basin is used, mowing and maintenance of basin vegetation (replant or reseed) as necessary to control erosion. A maintenance plan must be developed and provided along with the design documents. Long -term detention basin City of San Luis Obispo December 2009 30 Findings of Fact and Statement or Overriding Considerations 0 Orcutt Area Specific Plan Attachment 6 - Exhibit A maintenance plans must clearly delineate and assign maintenance and monitoring responsibilities for local and regional detention basins. Maintenance reports shall be submitted annually to City's Public Works Department. • For basins greater than 5,000 m3 (4 ac -ft) storage (i.e. the Upper Fork regional detention basin), vehicular access for maintenance of the basin and outlet works, removal of sediment, and removal of floating objects during all weather conditions must be provided. An access road must be provided to the basin floor of all detention facilities. This road must have a minimum width of 3.7 m (12 ft) and a maximum grade of 20 %. Turnarounds at the control structure and the bottom of the basin must have a 12 -m (40 -ft) minimum outside turning radius. • The applicant shall prepare informational literature and guidance on residential BMPs to minimize pollutant contributions from the proposed development. This information shall be distributed to all residences at the project site. At a minimum the information should cover: 1) general information on biofilters and detention basins for residents concerning their purpose and importance of keeping them free of yard cuttings and leaf litter; 2) proper disposal of household and commercial chemicals; 3) proper use of landscaping chemicals; 4) clean-up and appropriate disposal of yard cuttings and leaf litter; and 5) prohibition of any washing and dumping of materials and chemicals into storm drains. • The stormwater BMP devices shall be inspected, cleaned and maintained in accordance with the manufacturer's maintenance specifications. The devices shall be cleaned prior to the onset of the rainy season (i.e. November 1st) and immediately after the end of the rainy season (i.e. May lst). All devices will be checked after major storm events. The results of the inspection and maintenance report shall be submitted to the City of San Luis Obispo Public Works Department. — Mitigation Measure D -5(c) Pervious Paving Material. Consistent with Land Use Element Policy 6.4.7, the applicant shall be encouraged to use pervious paving material to facilitate rainwater percolation. Parking lots and paved outdoor storage areas shall, where feasible, use pervious paving to reduce surface water runoff and aid in groundwater recharge. — Mitigation Measure D -5(d) Low Impact Development Practices. In addition to the low impact development (LID) practices described in the above measures, the Specific Plan shall incorporate the following as requirements of future development within the area, to the extent appropriate for type and location of development: • Reduced and disconnected impervious surfaces • Preservation of native vegetation where feasible • Use of tree boxes to capture and infiltrate street runoff • Roof leader flows shall be directed to planter boxes and other vegetated areas • Soil amendments shall be utilized in landscaped areas to improve infiltration rates of clay soils. • Incorporate rain gardens into landscape design City of San Luis Obispo December 2009 31 Findings of Fact and Statement Overriding Considerations Orcutt Area Specific Plan Attachment 6 - Exhibit A These LID practices shall be utilized wherever feasible and appropriate to ensure that the pre - development stormwater runoff volume and pre - development peak runoff discharge rate are maintained, and that the flow frequency and duration of post - development conditions are identical (to the extent feasible) to those of pre - development conditions. LID practices are subject to the review and approval of the Regional Water Quality Control Board, as part of the City's, National Pollution Discharge Elimination System Permit compliance. b. Finding: The City finds that the mitigation measures are feasible and have been adopted. Implementation of the identified mitigation measures would reduce project impacts associated with NPS pollutants to a less than significant level. 6. Impact D-6: During long -term operation of the proposed project, runoff from the site could affect the water quality of creeks downstream of the Orcutt Plan Area. Project development could result in an increase in non -point source (NPS) pollutants to receiving waters. Impacts are considered Class II, significant but mitigable. a. Mitigation: The following mitigation measure is recommended: — Mitigation Measure D -6(a) Wetland Habitat Function. A wetland habitat enhancement project is proposed as a feature of the linear park /regional detention basin. The wetland habitat would function as a permanent pond within the detention basin. Therefore:. • The volume of the permanent pond shall not be counted towards the total storage volume of the regional detention basin; • Basin outlets shall be located above the desired permanent water surface, to prevent the basin from draining completely; • Mitigation Measure D -5(b) requires regular maintenance and monitoring of detention basin sediment accumulation. b. Finding: The City finds that the mitigation measure is feasible and has been adopted. The mitigation measure above would ensure that proposed detention basins would have less -than- significant impacts on water quality downstream in the long -term. G. GEOLOGIC HAZARDS 1. Impact G -2: Seismic activity could produce sufficient ground shaking to result in liquefaction at the project site. This is considered a Class II, significant but mitigable impact. a. Mitigation: The proposed Specific Plan includes the following program which is intended to reduce potential impacts associated with liquefaction for the Plan area: Program 3.4.1a. To clarify this policy, the following mitigation measure is required, which is intended to more fully address methodologies that could be implemented to reduce liquefaction impacts. City of San Luis Obispo December 2009 32 O Findings of Fact and Statement `of Overriding Considerations Orcutt Area Specific Plan Attachment 6 - Exhibit A — Mitigation Measure G -2(a) Geotechnical Study Parameters. As stated in Program 3.4.1.a. of the proposed Specific Plan, a geotechnical study shall be prepared by a State - registered engineering geologist for the project site prior to site development. This report shall include an analysis of the liquefaction potential of the underlying materials according to the most current liquefaction analysis procedures. This study shall also: evaluate the potential for soil settlement beneath the project site; evaluate the potential for expansive soils beneath the project site; and assess the stability of all slopes in the areas where construction is to occur. This evaluation shall determine the potential for adverse soil stability and discuss appropriate mitigation techniques. Appropriate set backs from unstable slopes and areas below potential rockfall zones shall be implemented. No development of residential structures is to occur in areas where rockfall hazards could damage buildings. The following suitable measures to reduce liquefaction impacts could include but need not be limited to: • specialized design of foundations by a structural engineer; • removal or treatment of liquefiable soils to reduce the potential for liquefaction; • drainage to lower the groundwater table to below the level of liquefiable soil; • in -situ densification of soils or other alterations to the ground • characteristics; or • other alterations to the ground characteristics. b. Finding The City finds that the mitigation measure is feasible, and has been adopted. Implementation of the Specific Plan's policies and related mitigation measure in project design would address impacts related to seismically induced liquefaction to the extent of industry standards; therefore impacts would be less than significant. 2. Impact G -3: The Specific Plan area is located in an area defined as having a high potential for settlement. This is considered a Class II, significant but mitigable impact. a. Mitigation: The following measures would reduce settlement hazard impacts to less than significant levels: — Mitigation Measure G -3(a) Soil Settlement Engineering. If the project site is identified to be in a high potential for settlement zone (through the Geotechnical Study required in Mitigation Measure G -2(a)) the building foundations, transportation infrastructure and 'subgrades shall be designed by a structural engineer to withstand the existing conditions, or the site shall be graded in such a manner as to address the condition. Suitable measures to reduce settlement impacts could include but need not be limited to: City of San Luis Obispo December 2009 33 Findings of Fact and StatemenOverriding Considerations ) Orcutt Area Specific Plan Attachment 6 - Exhibit A • excavation and recompaction of on -site or imported. soils; • treatment of existing soils by mixing a chemical grout into the soils prior to recompaction; or • foundation design that can accommodate certain amounts of differential settlement such as posttensional slab and /or ribbed foundations designed in accordance with Chapter 18, Division III of the Uniform Building Code(UBC). b. Finding:, The City finds that the mitigation measure is feasible and has been adopted. Implementation of the above measure would ensure that impacts related to soil settlement would be reduced to a less than significant level. 3. Impact G-4: The Specific Plan area is located in an area defined as having moderate to high potential for the expansion or contraction of soils. This is considered a Class II, significant but mitigable impact. a. Mitigation: The following measure would reduce soil expansion /contraction hazard impacts to a less than significant level: — Mitigation Measure G-4(a) Expansive Soils Grading. If the project site is identified as having expansive soils (through the Geotechnical Study required in Mitigation Measure G- 2(a)), the foundations and transportation infrastructure shall be designed by a structural engineer to withstand the existing conditions, or the site shall be graded in such a manner as to address the condition. Suitable measures to reduce impacts from expansive soils could include but need not be limited to: • excavation of existing soils and importation of non - expansive soils; and • foundation design to accommodate certain amounts of differential expansion such as posttensional slab and /or ribbed foundations designed in accordance with Chapter 18, Division III of the UBC. b. Finding: The City finds that the mitigation measure is feasible and has been adopted. Implementation of the above measure would ensure that impacts related to soil expansion would be reduced to a less than significant level. 4. Impact G -5: Soil stability conditions contributing to landslides, debris flows, or rock falls exist within the Plan Area. This is considered a Class II, significant but mitigable impact. Development near areas of rockfall are considered a Class II,, significant but mitigable impact. a. Mitigation: i Implementation of the following measure is required. — Mitigation Measure G -5(a) Slope Engineering. If the Specific Plan area is identified as having unstable slopes within the development envelope (through the Geotechnical Study required in Mitigation Measure G- 2(a)), either the development of San Luis Obispo December 2009 34 Findings of Fact and Statement Overriding Considerations C Orcutt Area Specific Plan Attachment 6 - Exhibit A envelope shall be modified so as to avoid these unstable slopes, or the slopes will have to be engineered so as to no longer be unstable. The design of slopes to withstand any unstable conditions shall be performed by a Geotechnical Engineer or Engineering Geologist, and the mitigation must be approved by the City of San Luis Obispo building department before the issuance of grading permits. b. Finding: The City finds that the mitigation measure is feasible and has been adopted. Areas having unstable slopes shall be engineered so as to remove or recontour the slopes and stabilize the slopes prior to grading. This mitigation is designed to reduce potential effects to a less than significant level. 5. Cumulative Impacts: Cumulative impacts related to fault rupture, seismically related ground shaking, liquefaction, expansive soils, and soil compaction would be similar to what is described for project - specific impacts, and would be dealt with on a project by project basis. a. Mitigati on: The Specific Plan contains goals and policies (listed above) which would reduce cumulative impacts related to geologic hazards. In addition, implementation of Mitigation Measures G -2(a), G -3(a), G -4(a), and G -5(a) would ensure that project - specific impacts remain less than significant. No other mitigation measures are necessary to address cumulative impacts. b. Finding: The City finds that the mitigation measures proposed above are feasible and have been adopted to reduce the proposed project's contribution to cumulative geologic impacts. With incorporation of the above measures, cumulative impacts relating to geologic hazards would be less than significant. H. NOISE 1. Impact N -1: Construction under the Specific Plan would temporarily generate high noise levels on -site. Because noise could exceed thresholds in the City General Plan Noise Element; impacts are considered Class II, significant but mitigable. a. Mitigation: Implementation of the following policy and programs included in the Specific Plan would reduce impacts to noise generated from temporary construction: Goal 4.5, Program 4.5.11, Policy 4.5.2, and Program 4.5.2d. In addition to the policies and programs identified above, the following mitigation measures are required to reduce construction noise impacts on nearby residences: — Mitigation Measure N -1(a) Compliance with City Noise Ordinance. Construction hours and noise levels shall be compliant with the City Noise Ordinance [Municipal Code Chapter. 9.12, Section 9.12.050(6)]. Methods to reduce construction noise can include, but are not limited to, the following: City of San Luis Obispo December 2009 35 Findings of Fact and Statement-t Overriding Considerations U Orcutt Area Specific Plan Attachment 6 - Exhibit A • Equipment Shielding. Stationary construction equipment that generates noise can be shielded with a barrier. • Diesel Equipment. All diesel equipment can be operated with closed engine doors and equipped with factory- recommended mufflers. • Electrical Power. Whenever feasible, electrical power can be used to run air compressors and similar power tools. • Sound Blankets. The use of sound blankets on noise generating equipment. b. Finding: The City finds that the mitigation measure is feasible and has been adopted. With implementation of the provisions within the Specific Plan and the required mitigation above, noise impacts due to construction would be reduced to less than significant levels. 2. Impact N4: The proposed Specific Plan would place additional sensitive receptors in the vicinity of the Union Pacific Railroad tracks, exposing them to noise levels that could potentially exceed City noise standards. This is considered a Class II, significant but mitigable, impact. a. N iti ag tion: The Orcutt Area Specific Plan includes goals, policies, and programs that. are intended to reduce noise impacts caused by the nearby railroad, as follows: Goal 4.5, Policy 4.5.1, and Programs 4.5.1a through Program 4.5.1e. In addition to the provisions proposed in the Specific Plan, the following mitigation measures are required to reduce UPRR noise impacts on nearby residences: — Mitigation Measure N4(a) Specific Plan Revision. The Specific Plan shall be revised to meet the noise standards of the City General Plan Noise Element. Policy 4.5.1a shall be revised to require that outdoor noise levels for residences not exceed 60 dB (Ldn) and indoor noise levels for residences and schools not exceed 45 dB (Ldn). Program 4.5.2a shall also be revised to ensure that these standards are met. Indoor noise levels can be reduced using the design and materials techniques described in Specific Plan Programs 4.5.1a, 4.5.1b, 4.5.1c, 4.5.1d, 4.5.1e, 4.5.1f, 4.5.2a, 4.5.2b, and 4.5.2c. Outdoor noise levels can be reduced in the following ways: 1) Locate all proposed residential and school development outside of the 60 Ldn contour line (352 feet from the centerline of the railroad); or 2) For any residential or school development located within 352 feet of the railroad centerline, a combination of barrier methods specified in the Noise Element must be implemented. Residential or school project applicants in this area shall demonstrate to the satisfaction of the Community Development Department that proposed development will not be exposed to outdoor noise levels that exceed Noise Element standards. Because of the varying topography of the site relative to the railroad tracks, and the fact the development design has not been determined, the specific attenuation methods cannot be definitively determined. Options could include one or more of the following approaches: City of San Luis Obispo December 2009 36 Findings of Fact and Statement v, Overriding Considerations C Orcutt Area Specific Plan Attachment 6 - Exhibit A • Berm or wall along the railroad right -of -way, which would likely vary in height from about 8 to 20 feet, based on preliminary noise models included in this EIR; • Design of individual homes such that structures block the line -of -sight from useable backyards to the railroad tracks; • For homes with backyards not blocked by intervening structures, backyard fencing of sufficient height to block line -of sight to railroad tracks. The design of noise barriers and backyard layouts and walls shall be examined by an approved noise consultant, to determine if they provide sufficient mitigation to comply with Noise Element standards related to outdoor noise exposure. b. Finding: The City finds that the mitigation measure is feasible and has been adopted. With implementation of the programs contained in the Specific Plan and the above mitigation measures, impacts would be less than significant. L PUBLIC SAFETY 1. Impact S -1: Development under the Specific Plan has the potential to expose residents to potentially harmful electric or magnetic fields. This is a Class II, significant but mitigable impact. a. Mitigation: The City Safety Element includes policies intended to reduce the exposure of people to EMFs. Since the proposed Specific Plan includes residential uses adjacent to the exiting transmission line easement the following mitigation is also required. — Mitigation Measure S -1(a) EMF Exposure. State or Federal electric or magnetic exposure levels, if established, are to be followed. In the absence of these exposure standards, no residential structures or residential yards, schools, active parks, or recreational facilities are to be built within the utility' corridor right -of -way or easement. b. Finding: The City finds that the mitigation measure is feasible and has been adopted. Proposed mitigation would reduce potential impacts related to the exposure to electric and magnetic fields generated by the transmission lines to a less than significant level. 2. Impact S -2: Development under the Orcutt Area Specific Plan would increase activity levels in the vicinity of the San Luis Obispo Airport Planning Area. The draft Specific Plan is inconsistent with certain safety- related provisions of the Airport Land Use Plan. Revisions to the Specific Plan and density adjustments from the Airport Land Use Commission are required to make the Specific Plan consistent. If the Airport Land Use Commission determines that the Orcutt Area Specific Plan is consistent with the Airport Land Use Plan, this would be considered a Class II, significant but mitigable impact. a. Mitigation: Adherence to State requirements for new school sites and Zoning Regulation would reduce the ALUP inconsistencies and associated safety. The City of San Luis Obispo December 2009 37 ^'a Findings of Fact and Statement Overfiding Considerations Orcutt Area Specific Plan Attachment 6 - Exhibit A following goals, policies, programs and performance standards are derived from the Orcutt Area Specific Plan and would reduce impacts created by or produced by the San Luis Obispo County Airport. They are as follows: Goal 3.5, Policy 3.5.1, Policy 3.5.2, Policy 3.5.3, and Performance Standards 3.5.2a -h. In addition to the policies and programs described above, the following mitigation measures are required related to airport safety impacts. — Mitigation Measure S -2(a) Residential Density. Prior to Specific Plan approval by the City Council, the proposed project must be referred to the ALUC for a consistency determination with the ALUP. The ALUC must determine that the proposed residential density is consistent with the ALUP; or, the applicant shall submit a revised Specific Plan that shows a reduction in proposed residential density, consistent with ALUP requirements. — Mitigation Measure S -2(b) Disclosure. Prior to recordation of final map, the applicant shall develop Covenants, Codes, and Restrictions (CC &R's) that disclose to potential buyers or leasers that aircraft over - flights occur, and that such flights may result in safety hazard impacts should an aircraft accident occur. In addition, prior to recordation of final map, avigation easements shall be recorded over the entire project site for the benefit of the SLO County Regional Airport. — Mitigation Measure S -2(c) Special Function Land Uses. Prior to Specific Plan approval by the City Council, the project must be referred to the ALUC for a consistency determination with the ALUP. The ALUC must determine that the proposed Special Function Land Use is consistent with the ALUP; or, the applicant shall submit revised plans showing that the proposed school has been eliminated from the proposal. b. Finding: The City finds that the mitigation measures above are feasible, and have been adopted. Implementation of the above measures along with adherence to State requirements for new school sites and Zoning Regulation would mitigate airport safety impacts to a less than significant level. 3. Impact S -3: The Union Pacific Railroad corridor adjacent to potential development under the Specific Plan could create a public safety hazard because of the possibility of accidents. This is a Class H, significant but mitigable impact. a. Mitigation: Transport of hazardous materials on the railway will be required to comply with all federal, state, and local laws pertaining to the handling of hazardous materials. In addition, any school developed pursuant to the Specific Plan would require compliance with Department of Education safety study requirements. This analysis, however, would be conducted through separate review outside the CEQA process. To reduce the potential safety hazard of trespassers on the railroad tracks the following mitigation measures are recommended: — Mitigation Measure S -3(a) Pedestrian /Bicycle Passage. A safe and accessible pedestrian/bicycle crossing shall be provided across the UPRR between Orcutt Road City of San Luis Obispo December 2009 38 Findings of Fact and Statement'bt "Overriding Considerations O Orcutt Area Speck Plan Attachment 6 - and Tank Farm Road. This crossing shall be connected with the proposed bicycle and pedestrian path, and integrated into the bicycle path and sidewalk system. This crossing shall be designed to allow pedestrians and bicyclists to safely travel across the tracks from the Plan Area to the neighborhood on the west side of the tracks. The crossing shall be approved by the City Engineer. — Mitigation Measure S -3(b) Signage. Signage that directs people to the pedestrian/bicycle railroad crossing shall be placed in obvious and appropriate locations along the western edge of the Plan Area and along the bike path that runs parallel to the railroad tracks on the west side of the Plan Area. — Mitigation Measure S -3(c) Fencing. The Specific Plan shall be revised to include fencing along the western boundary of the Specific Plan area, adjacent to the railroad tracks. Coordination with the UPRR and the City is required to determine the appropriate height and type of fencing. This fencing can be integrated with barriers that are required to meet noise attenuation standards (See impact N4 above). b. Finding: The City finds that the above mitigation measures are feasible and have been adopted. Implementation of the above measures would reduce impacts to a less than significant level. 4. Impact S-4: Suspect recognized environmental conditions that may pose a risk to human health and safety have been observed on portions of the Orcutt Area. This is considered a Class II, significant but mitigable impact. a. Mitigation: The Orcutt Area Specific Plan has identified the following goals, polices, programs, and performance standards, which are intended to reduce public safety impacts to less than significant levels: Goal 3.4, Policy 3.4.2, Program 3.4.2a, Program 3.4.2b, and Performance Standard 3.5.2d. In addition to the above stated policy and programs within the Specific Plan, the following proposed mitigation would further ensure less than significant impacts related to public safety. — Mitigation Measure S -4(a) Areas not surveyed. Prior to development in areas not surveyed for the Limited Phase 1 Environmental Site Assessment (Rincon Consultants, Inc., 2004) a Phase 1 Environmental Site Assessment shall be conducted to identify the presence of recognized environmental conditions associated with soil and groundwater contamination at the site. If recognized conditions are encountered then a Phase H Environmental Site Assessment shall be performed to determine if soil or groundwater have been affected. — Mitigation Measure S -4(b) Righetti Hill Abandoned Mine. Prior to allowing public access in the vicinity of the abandoned mine, soils samples shall be taken around the entrance and down gradient and analyzed for heavy metals by CCR Title 22 metals. — Mitigation Measure S -4(c) Farmhouses. Prior to issuance of any entitlement for development that will require the demolition of farmhouses identified in Figure 4.9- 1, a qualified Environmental Scientist shall enter the farmhouses and determine if City of San Luis Obispo December 2009 39 Findings of Fact and Statement of Overriding Considerations Orcutt Area Speck Plan Attachment 6 - Exhibit A there may have been any hazardous material releases associated with the storage or use of hazardous materials. If it is determined that there may have been hazardous materials release, a Phase II Environmental Site Assessment shall be performed to determine if soil or groundwater has been affected. — Mitigation Measure S4(d) 55- Gallon Drums. Prior to development on the property where 55 -Gallon drums were identified as shown in Figure 4.9 -1, soils samples shall be taken in the vicinity of the drums and analyzed for total extractable petroleum hydrocarbons (TEPH) by EPA method 8015, heavy metals by CCR Title 22 metals, and solvents by EPA method 8260B. If levels of contaminants are found to exist in concentrations that exceed regulatory thresholds, further sampling may be needed to determine the extent of contamination. Once the extent of contamination is delineated, an appropriate remediation method should be implemented according to the size of the area contaminated and the contaminant involved. b. Finding: The City finds that the above mitigation measures are feasible and have been adopted. Impacts would be less than significant with implementation of the Specific Plan provisions and the required mitigation measures. PUBLIC SERVICES 1. Impact PS -2: The project would increase the number of residents served by the San Luis Obispo Fire Department. The increase would affect the personnel, equipment and organization of the Fire Department by increasing the burden on Fire Department services and potentially placing residences, outside of the target four minute response time. This would be considered a Class II, significant but mitigable, impact. a. Mitigation: The following mitigation measures are required. — Mitigation Measure PS -2(a) Road Widths, Fire Hydrants. Road widths and internal circulation, as well as the placement of fire hydrants, shall be designed with the guidance of the Fire Department. A road system that allows unhindered Fire Department access and maneuvering during emergencies shall be provided. The San Luis Obispo Fire Department shall review all improvement plans for proposed development in the Orcutt Area to ensure compliance with City standards and the Uniform Fire Code. — Mitigation Measure PS -2(b) Non - combustible exteriors. Buildings that are in areas of moderate fire hazard and which are close to areas of high or extreme fire hazard shall have non - combustible exteriors. — Mitigation Measure PS -2(c) Defensible Space. Accessible space free of highly combustible vegetation and materials shall be provided in the area 30 feet around all structures located within the moderate wildland fire hazard areas. City of San Luis Obispo December 2009 40 Findings of Fact and Statement'u, Overriding Considerations Orcutt Area Specific Plan Attachment 6 - Exhibit A b. Fes: The City finds that the above mitigation measures are feasible and have been adopted. With proposed mitigation measures, impacts would be reduced to a less than significant level. 2. Impact PS -3: The project would increase the number of residents served by the SLCUSD. The increase would result in a Class II, significant but mitigable impact to the school system. a. Mitigation: The following mitigation measures are intended to reduce project related impacts: — Mitigation Measure PS -3(a) Buildout Date Notification. The applicant shall notify the San Luis Coastal Unified School District of the expected buildout date of each phase of the project to allow the District time to plan in advance for new students. — Mitigation Measure PS -3(b) Statutory School Fees. The applicant shall pay the statutory school fees in effect at the time of issuance of building permits to the appropriate school districts. b. Finding The City finds that the above mitigation measures are feasible and have been adopted. Mitigation Measure PS -3(b) would require the full development fees be charged to a developer by the school districts. Currently the mitigation fee is $2.63 per square foot of residential development and $0.42 per square foot of commercial or industrial development. These fees would contribute funding for new school facilities for the students potentially generated by the project. Pursuant to Section 65995 (3)(h) of the California Government Code (Senate Bill 50, chaptered August 27, 1998), the payment of statutory fees "...is deemed to be full and complete mitigation of the impacts of any legislative or adjudicative act, or both, involving, but not limited to, the planning, use, or developed of real property, or any change in governmental organization or reorganization." Therefore, subsequent to payment of statutory fees, school impacts would be considered less than significant. K. TRANSPORTATION AND CIRCULATION 1. Impact T -1: The addition of traffic generated by the Specific Plan to Baseline traffic volumes would cause one study roadway segment and one intersection to operate at unacceptable levels during peak hours. This would result in a Class II, significant but mitigable, impact. a. Mitigation: The Specific Plan includes the following goals, policies and programs, which are intended to address safe and efficient circulation within the Specific Plan area: Goal 5.1, Goal 5.2, Policy 5.1.a, Program 5.1.2, Program 5.1.3, and Policies 5.1.b -e. In addition to these Specific Plan provisions, the following mitigation measures are also required to further reduce impacts to roadway segments and intersections. — Mitigation Measure T -1(a) Orcutt Road/Tank Farm Road. The additional traffic generated by the Specific Plan will degrade operations at this intersection to an City of San Luis Obispo December 2009 41 Findings of Fact and Statement or Considerations Orcutt Area Specific Plan Attachment 6 - Exhibit A unacceptable level (LOS E), and the peak -hour signal warrant will be met. The addition of a 200' right -tum lane on the southbound approach would mitigate this impact, reducing overall delay to 14.8 seconds (LOS B). With the new right turn lane, the southbound approach would experience a delay of 25.5 seconds (LOS D). The vehicle delay for the northbound approach would be 28.2 seconds (LOS D). Prior to issuance of occupancy permits, the applicants shall complete the improvements identified within this mitigation measure subject to review, inspection and permit issuance by the City. b. Finding: The City finds that the above mitigation is feasible and has been adopted. With implementation of the provisions within the Specific Plan and the required mitigation, impacts to roadways and intersection operations would be reduced to less than significant levels. 2. Impact T -2: The addition of traffic generated by the Specific Plan to Buildout traffic volumes would cause one study roadway segment and five intersections to operate at unacceptable levels during peak hours. This would result in a Class II, significant but mitigable, impact. a. Miti ag tion: The following mitigation measures are required to reduce impacts to roadway segments and intersections to a less than significant level. — Mitigation Measure T -2(a) Broad StreetlSouth Street -Santa Barbara Road. In order to mitigate Buildout level traffic conditions the intersection will need to be widened to provide a 100 foot southbound right -turn lane. Alternatively, acceptable operations could be achieved by improving the westbound approach to include two left turn lanes and a shared through /right turn lane. Either of these two improvements may result in secondary right -of -way impacts. This specific plan is currently not included in the City's TIF program. The applicant shall be responsible for paying a "fair share" mitigation fee as determined by the Director of Public Works, associated with the estimated intersection improvements. — Mitigation Measure T -2(b) Broad Street /Tank Farm Road. The addition of a second southbound left -turn lane and a second northbound left -turn lane is necessary to mitigate Buildout level traffic conditions. This improvement may result in secondary right -of -way impacts. This specific plan is currently not included in the City's TIF program. The applicant shall be responsible for paying a "fair share" mitigation fee as determined by the Director of Public Works, associated with the estimated intersection improvements. — Mitigation Measure T -2(c) Orcutt RoadlJohnson Avenue. The installation of a single -lane roundabout is necessary to mitigate Buildout level traffic conditions. Installation of a single -lane roundabout would improve intersection operations to City of San Luis Obispo December 2009 42 Findings of Fact and Statement br Overriding Considerations Orcutt Area Specific Plan Attachment 6 - Exhibit A LOS A. This improvement would be needed as soon as the northeastern portion of the Specific Plan is developed. This specific plan is currently not included in the City's TIF program. The applicant shall be responsible for paying a "fair share" mitigation fee as determined by the Director of Public Works, associated with the estimated intersection improvements. — Mitigation Measure T -2(d) Orcutt Road/Tank Farm Road. The additional traffic generated by the Buildout of the General Plan will trigger the need for a traffic signal at this intersection. Installation of a traffic signal will improve intersection operations to LOS C. This specific plan is currently not included in the City's TIF program. The applicant shall be responsible for paying a "fair share" mitigation fee as determined by the Director of Public Works, associated with the estimated intersection improvements. — Mitigation Measure T -2(e) Broad StreetlPrado Road Extension. The additional traffic generated by the Buildout of the General Plan will trigger the need for a second northbound left -turn lane. Prior to issuance of occupancy permits, specific plan applicants shall make "fair share" contributions to the City's Orcutt Area Specific Plan mitigation fee program for the addition of a second northbound left- turn lane at the intersection of Broad Street and Prado Road. b. Finding: The City finds that the above mitigation measures are feasible and have been adopted. With implementation of these improvements, roadways and intersections would operate at acceptable levels. Therefore, impacts would be less than significant. 3. Impact T -3: If improperly designed, site access and internal circulation roads can result in safety hazards for all users including bicyclists, pedestrians, and transit patrons. The Specific Plan includes site access, emergency access, and internal access road standards to accommodate Specific Plan traffic. Class II, significant but mitigable, impacts would result. a. Mitigation: The proposed Specific Plan includes the following–goals, policies, and programs, which are intended to address potential impacts associated with site access and circulation: Policy 5.2.a, Policy 5.2.b, Programs 5.2.1 through 5.2.8, and Policies 5.3.a through 5.3.c. The Specific Plan includes the following goals and programs to create safe and efficient bicycle facilities in the Specific Plan area: Goal 5.3, Program 5.1.1, and Program 5.3.1. The Specific Plan includes the following goal, policy and program concerning transit facilities: Goal 5.4, Policy 5.4.a, and Program 5.4.1. Implementation of the above policies and programs would reduce impacts to some extent. However, implementation of the following mitigation measure is required to reduce impacts related to vehicle and transit facilities to less than significant levels. (No additional mitigation is required for bicycle and pedestrian facilities). — Mitigation Measure T -3(a) Vehicle Facilities. The proposed specific plan will have a potentially significant impact on vehicle facilities due to the potential for excessive City of San Luis Obispo December 2009 43 Findings of Fact and Statement of Considerations Orcutt Area Specific Plan Attachment 6 - Exhibit A on -site vehicle speeds. The typical street cross - sections should be adjusted as follows: Bullock Lane - Remove the southbound (west) parking lane (on the UPRR side). Other collector roadways Traffic control, such as all-way stops, should be implemented at intersections where cross traffic volumes are large enough to warrant installation. Local roadways should be configured in an interconnected pattern with short block lengths. The Project, in coordination with the City, will identify appropriate locations and relevant traffic calming treatments and install the necessary devices. This mitigation measure may require modification of proposed Specific Plan Program 5.2.6 to accommodate these provisions. — Mitigation Measure T -3(b) Transit Facilities. Bus stops locations and amenities should be developed in consultation with the City to mitigate potential Specific Plan impacts. Additional bus stops may be required in or adjacent to the specific plan area, and bus stop locations may need to be moved to accommodate development patterns and new bus routings. In addition, special paving, bus bays, benches, and shelters may be necessary at some locations. The specific plan, in coordination with the City and SLO Transit, will plan and construct future bus stop locations and amenities. - A service plan for the project site should be developed as part of the City's Short- Range Transit Plan (SRTP) update process. With either option presented above or a routing plan developed as part of the SRTP process, bus stops should be located approximately every one - quarter mile. The primary on -site bus stop(s) will be located near the intersection of "A" and "B" Streets. — Mitigation Measure T -3(c) Bicycle Path Connection. The Class I bicycle path along the UPRR tracks should be maintained across the creek to provide consistency with the City's bicycle plan, and the path should connect to existing facilities at Orcutt Road and Tank Farm Road even though the streets are outside of the project site. The potentially significant impacts would be mitigated if the specific plan is developed with the proposed facilities in place, a continuous Class I facility along the UPRR tracks, and connections to existing facilities. — Mitigation Measure T -3(d) Site Access. The adequacy of vehicular on -site circulation needs to be reviewed when a plan showing all roadway locations has been prepared. The locations of the proposed collector streets appear adequate. Based on the projected traffic volumes, a one -lane roundabout will be adequate at the Bullock Lane / "B" Street / "C" Street intersection. As described above, the bicycle network is adequate. Pedestrian circulation needs to be reviewed when a plan showing all local residential streets has been prepared. Pedestrian paths may be required in some locations, dependent upon the connectivity of the proposed roadway network. b. Finding: The City finds that the above mitigation measures are feasible and have been adopted. With implementation of the Specific Plan's identified provisions and the required mitigation measures, impacts to public transportation would be reduced to less than significant levels. City of San Luis Obispo December 2009 44 Findings of Fact and Statement'or Overriding Considerations J Orcutt Area Specific Plan Attachment 6 - Exhibit A L. LAND USE AND PLANNING 1. Impact LU -1: The Specific Plan includes establishing open space and low density residential land uses outside of the current City Urban Reserve Line (URL). Development under City jurisdiction outside of the URL would be potentially inconsistent with the growth management goals of preserving open space and agriculture on land surrounding the City. However, these impacts are considered Class II, significant but mitigable. a. Mitigation: The following mitigation measure would be needed, primarily to achieve consistency with several General Plan policies. — Mitigation Measure LU -1(a) General Plan Amendment. The City shall amend its General Plan to include a revised Urban Reserve Line that contains all of the property proposed for development within the Orcutt Specific Plan Area b. Finding: The City finds that the above mitigation is feasible and has been adopted. The implementation of the above mitigation measures would reduce impacts to a less than significant level. 2. Impact LU -2: The Specific Plan includes land use designations that potentially allow for 750 to 1,000 dwelling units, 50 to 300 units more than is planned for the Orcutt Area in the General Plan. This impact is considered Class II, significant but mitigable. a. Mitigation: The following mitigation measure is required. — Mitigation Measure LU -2(a) General Plan Amendment. The City shall amend its General Plan to reflect the increased buildout potential of the Orcutt Area and decreased potential of the Margarita Area. The estimated buildout for Orcutt shall be between 500 and 1,000 dwelling units and, for Margarita, between 800 to 1,200 dwelling units. b. Finding The City finds that the above mitigation measure is feasible and has been adopted. Implementation of the above mitigation measure would reduce impacts to a less than significant level. 3. Impact LU -3: The proposed development would be potentially inconsistent with City urban design goals described in to the City's Community Design Guidelines, and could result in compatibility issues between certain commercial and residential uses. This is considered a Class II, significant but mitigable, impact. a. Mitigation: The following design - oriented mitigation would be required to ensure consistency with City policies: of San Luis Obispo December 45 Findings of Fact and Statement v Overriding Considerations ) Orcutt Area Specific Plan Attachment 6- Exhibit A — Mitigation Measure LU -3(a) Modified Design Elements. The Specific Plan shall include one or more of the following approaches to achieve consistency with the City's Community Design policies: • The Specific Plan can be modified to include more commercial area that is not allowed to be converted to housing. • Provide a pedestrian and bicycle underpass below the railroad tracks (or a bridge over the tracks) that connect the Orcutt Area to the western end of Industrial Way. This will allow residents of the Orcutt Area to reach Marigold Center via Industrial Way, making the distance approximately 0.5 mile from the railroad track underpass. — Mitigation Measure LU -3(b) Mixed Use Incompatibility. Individual uses in the Mixed Use zone such as nail salons, cleaners, or coffee roasters that may generate substantial odors shall be carefully evaluated for compatibility with nearby residential uses at the discretion of the Community Development Director, prior to issuance of an APCD use permit. b. Fes: With the implementation of the mitigation measure listed above, impacts related to mixed use incompatibility and consistency with the Community Design Guidelines will be reduced to less than significant. It should be noted that establishing a pedestrian right -of -way under the railroad track, if this approach is used, should be done in such a manner to preclude the possibility of further right -of -way acquisition so that no roadway could be extended through this area. This would avoid potential impacts related to traffic and land use that could otherwise result from a roadway extension at this location. 4. Impact LU-4: The proposed Specific Plan would permit development that is potentially inconsistent with the ALUP. This is considered a Class II,.significant but mitigable, impact. a. Mitigation: Mitigation measures S -2(a), S -2(b), S -2(c), and S -2(d), from the Public Safety section above, would be required. b. Fes: The City finds that the above mitigation measures are feasible and have been adopted. Mitigation measures S -2(a), S -2(b), S -2(c), and S-2(d) would make the Specific Plan consistent with the ALUP, reducing impacts to a less than significant level. M. GROWTH INDUCING IMPACTS 1. Impact: Growth Inducement resulting from development anticipated by the General Plan would be significant but mitigable. a. Mitigation: Mitigation measure LU -1(a) (above) requires the City to adjust the URL to include all of the area proposed for development in the Specific Plan, therefore, with implementation of this measure, impacts would be reduced to less than significant. City of San Luis Obispo December 2009 46 Findings of Fact and Statement (it Overriding Considerations Orcutt Area Specific Plan Attachment 6 - Exhibit A b. Finding: The City finds that the above mitigation measure is feasible and has been adopted. With the proposed mitigation measure, the URL would be adjacent to open space within the City Limits and no growth inducing impacts would occur. 2. Impact: Growth inducement resulting from road extensions proposed by the project would be significant and unavoidable. a. Miti ag tion: No feasible mitigation is available that would reduce the project's potential to induce growth due to roadway extensions. b. Finding: The City finds that no feasible mitigation is available, and that this impact is significant and unavoidable. A statement of overriding considerations for this impact is made in Section 6. N. GLOBAL CLIMATE CHANGE 1. Impact: The proposed OASP would result in significant but mitigable impacts to global climate change. Determination of the significance of operational GHG emissions impacts is predicated upon a project's consistency with a GHG reduction plan or, in the absence of such a plan, compliance with AB 32 [refer to Section 7.3(a) of the EIR]. Because the Climate Action Plan has not yet been completed for San Luis Obispo County, the following mitigation measures are required: a. N iti ag tion — GCC -1(a) GHG Emissions Reduction Planning. To ensure that future development under the Specific Plan meets the GHG emissions reduction requirements in AB 32 and SB 375, the following policies shall be added to the Specific Plan: • The City shall participate in regional planning efforts with SLOCOG and the APCD to reduce basin -wide GHG emissions in compliance with SB 375. • The City's participation in regional planning efforts to reduce basin -wide GHG emissions is anticipated to include City assistance in developing a GHG emissions inventory, and identifying reduction measures related to site design, energy conservation, and trip reduction. • Once the Resource Agency adopts guidelines for the mitigation of GHG emissions pursuant to SB 97, all projects under the Specific Plan shall mitigate GHG emissions as required. — GCC -1(b) Consideration of Project Greenhouse Gas Emissions Reduction Measures. Through the CEQA environmental review process for discretionary permit applications, development under the Specific Plan shall consider all feasible GHG emissions reduction measures to reduce direct and indirect emissions associated with project vehicle trip generation and energy consumption. City of San Luis Obispo December 2009 47 Findings of Fact and Statement 6 Overriding Considerations Orcutt Area Specific Plan Attachment 6 - Exhibit A b. Finding: The City finds that the above mitigation measures are feasible and have been adopted. The above mitigation measures would ensure compliance with regional efforts to meet GHG emissions targets in AB 32. Determining the significance of the impact of the project on global climate is still speculative. Nonetheless, the project's contribution to the problem of global climate change would be reduced with implementation of OASP policies and programs, and applicable mitigation measures listed in Tables 7.3 and 7.4 of the EIR, respectively. The project also must be carried out in a manner consistent with the goals, policies and programs of the City's Conservation Open Space Element. In addition, the recommended project design features suggested above can be incorporated into the OASP to further reduce the GHG emissions at build -out. Mitigation measures GCC -1(a) and GCC -1(b) would ensure less than significant impacts. SECTION 6. SIGNIFICANT UNAVOIDABLE ENVIRONMENTAL EFFECTS OF THE PROPOSED PROJECT FOR WHICH SUFFICIENT MITIGATION IS NOT AVAILABLE This section presents the project's significant environmental impacts and feasible mitigation measures. Section 15091 of the State CEQA Guidelines (14 California Code of Regulations [CCR]) and Section 21081 of the Public Resources Code require a lead agency to make findings for each significant environmental impact disclosed in an EIR. Specifically, for each significant impact, the lead agency must find that: — Changes or alterations have been required in, or incorporated into, the project which avoid or substantially lessen the significant environmental effect as identified in the final EIR. — Such changes or alterations are within the responsibility and jurisdiction of another public agency and not the agency making the finding. Such changes have been adopted by such other agency or can and should be adopted by such other agency. — Specific economic, legal, social, technological, or other considerations, including provision of employment opportunities for highly trained workers, make infeasible the mitigation measures or project alternatives identified in the final EIR. Each of these findings must be supported by substantial evidence in the administrative record. This section identifies impacts that can be reduced, but not to a less - than- significant level, through the incorporation of feasible mitigation measures into the project, and which therefore, remain significant and unavoidable, as identified in the program EIR: The impacts identified in this section are considered in the same sequence in which they appear in the draft EIR. Where adoption of feasible mitigation measures is not effective in avoiding an impact or reducing it to a less - than- significant level, the feasibility of adopting alternatives to the proposed project is considered in Section 7 of this document. City of San Luis Obispo December 2009 48 Findings of Fact and Statement of Overriding Considerations Orcutt Area Specific Plan Attachment 6 - Exhibit A A. AESTHETICS 1. Impact AES -1: The proposed development would affect the aesthetic character of the site vicinity through alteration of viewsheds from Orcutt and Tank Farm Roads. This is considered a Class I, significant and unavoidable impact. a. Mitigation: The proposed Specific Plan includes the following goals, policies, and programs, which are intended to address potential impacts associated with this issue: Goal 2.4, Policy 2.4.1, and Programs 2.4.1a through 2.4.1e. No other mitigation measures are feasible. b. Finding: The City finds that no feasible mitigation is available. Implementation of these provisions of the Specific Plan would reduce impacts to some extent. However, impacts to the character of the site due to the change from rural to urban development will remain significant and unavoidable. A statement of overriding considerations for this impact is made in Section 8. 2. Impact AES -2: The proposed development would affect the aesthetic character of the Specific Plan Area and impede views of Righetti Hill. This is considered a Class I, significant and unavoidable impact. a. Mitigation: There are no feasible mitigation measures that are consistent with the objectives of the proposed project. b. Finding: The City finds that no feasible mitigation is available, and that impacts to the character of the site due to the change from rural to urban development will remain significant and unavoidable. A statement of overriding considerations for this impact is made in Section 8. 3. Cumulative Impacts: New development in and around the City will affect the aesthetic character of the City by adding new urban elements such as streets, buildings, signs, and landscaping, as well as light sources. This is especially true for new development in rural areas around the City edge. As the City grows at its edges, greenbelt and rural areas surrounding the City are lost. In addition to the proposed project, the City is currently reviewing Specific Plans for the Margarita and Airport Areas which include proposed development of currently rural areas. Cumulative development of these proposed developments would result in a significant cumulative loss of open space and would irrevocably alter the character of these areas throughout the City from rural to urban. Implementation of the proposed Specific Plan would incrementally contribute to this change in aesthetic character of the site and the surrounding areas. Cumulative aesthetic impacts are therefore considered Significant and Unavoidable (Class I). a. Mitigation: The Specific Plan contains goals and policies which would reduce cumulative aesthetic impacts. In addition, implementation of Mitigation Measure AES - 3(a), would further reduce impacts. No other feasible mitigation is available that would meet the project objectives. City of San Luis Obispo December 2009 49 Findings of Fact and Statement of Overriding Considerations Orcutt Area Specific Plan Attachment 6 - Exhibit A b. Findings: The City finds that no additional feasible mitigation is available for cumulative aesthetic impacts, which would remain significant and unavoidable. A statement of overriding considerations for this impact is made in Section 8. B. AIR QUALITY 1. Impact AQ-4: The proposed Specific Plan is consistent with population assumptions of the General Plan and San Luis Obispo County Clean Air Plan (CAP). However, the Specific Plan proposes low density residential development outside of the current Urban Reserve Line (URL) which will require an adjustment of the URL to be consistent with the General Plan. The 2001 CAP encourages development to occur within the URL of cities, therefore, the Specific Plan is inconsistent with the 2001 Clean Air Plan (CAP). This is considered to be a Class I, significant and unavoidable impact. a. Mitigation: The incorporation of Mitigation Measures AQ -1(b) though AQ -1(f), and T- 3(b) through T -3(d), are recommended to improve consistency with the CAP. The following additional measure is also required: — Mitigation Measure AQ -4(a) Development and Distribution of Alternative Transportation Information. The applicant shall create a Multi-Modal Access Guide, which includes maps and other information on how to walk and cycle to nearby destinations. In addition, the applicant shall provide an on -site bulletin board specifically for the posting of bus schedules and notices of availability for car- pooling and /or shall distribute such information to property owners upon occupancy. The applicant shall be responsible for maintaining this board and updating it every two months. b. Finding: The City finds that the mitigation measure is feasible and has been adopted. However, short of limiting growth to within the current URL boundaries, this inconsistency cannot be fully mitigated. A statement of overriding considerations for this impact is made in Section 8. 2. Cumulative Impacts: The OASP is inconsistent with the CAP policy of containing urban development within the URL of cities and exceeds the SLOAPCD Tier II thresholds of significance. As a result, the OASP is considered to be potentially inconsistent with long- term regional air quality planning efforts, and the Specific Plan is expected to have significant and unavoidable impacts on air quality. a. Mitigation: The Specific Plan contains goals and policies which would reduce cumulative agricultural impacts. In addition, implementation of Mitigation Measures AG- 1(a -f), AQ- 3(a -d) and AQ4(a), would further reduce impacts. No other feasible mitigation is available that would meet the project objectives. b. Finding: The City finds that no additional feasible mitigation is available for cumulative air quality impacts, which would remain significant and unavoidable. A statement of overriding considerations for this impact is made in Section 8. City of San Luis Obispo December 2009 50 Findings of Fact and Statement of Overriding Considerations Orcutt Area Specific Plan Attachment 6 - Exhibit A C. NOISE 1. Impact N -5: The proposed Specific Plan, in combination with cumulative development at General Plan buildout would add to roadway corridor noise levels already above the 60 dBA Ldn City threshold. This is considered a Class I, significant and unavoidable impact. a. Mitigation: As discussed under Impact N -2 above, the Specific Plan contains goals, policies, and programs that will reduce noise exposure of new sensitive receptors within the Orcutt Area to meet City standards. In addition, implementation of the following measure would further reduce cumulative noise impacts for the Specific Plan area and other development areas to a feasible extent. — Mitigation Measure N -5(a) Fair Share of Cumulative Noise Improvements. Applicants under the Specific Plan must contribute their fair financial share, as determined by the City, to the implementation of one or more of the mitigation approaches listed in policy 9 of the Noise Element (refer to Appendix E of the EIR). The Specific Plan has been revised to include a specific program to contribute to mitigating cumulative impacts. Implementation of the program must occur prior home occupancy for development pursuant to the Specific Plan. b. Finding: The City finds that the mitigation measure is feasible and has been adopted. Use of such techniques on all new development in the area and the retrofitting of existing development would reduce cumulative impacts to the extent feasible. However, implementation of these techniques would not necessarily ensure that cumulative noise experienced at sensitive receptors would be reduced to less than significant levels at all locations. No additional mitigation measures are feasible due to economic and physical constraints. Therefore, impacts would remain significant and unavoidable. A statement of overriding considerations for this impact is made in Section 8. City of San Luis Obispo December 2009 51 Findings of Fact and Statement of Overriding Considerations Orcutt Area Specific Plan Attachment 6 - Exhibit A SECTION 7. FINDINGS FOR ALTERNATIVES TO THE PROPOSED PROJECT A. INTRODUCTION As identified in Section 6 of this document, the proposed project will cause the following significant and unavoidable environmental impacts to occur: • Impact AES-1: Aesthetic character and alteration of viewsheds from Orcutt and Tank Farm Roads • Impact AES-2: Aesthetic character and impact to views of Righetti Hill • Cumulative aesthetic impacts • Cumulative impacts to agricultural resources • Impact AQ-4: Clean Air Plan (CAP) consistency • Cumulative air quality impacts • Impact N -5: Cumulative roadway noise • Growth Inducement Because the proposed project will cause significant and unavoidable environmental impacts to occur as identified above, the City must consider the feasibility of any environmentally superior alternatives to the project, as proposed. The City must evaluate whether one or more of these alternatives could substantially lessen or avoid the unavoidable significant environmental effects. As such, the environmental superiority and feasibility of each alternative to the project is considered in this section. Specifically, this section evaluates the effectiveness of these alternatives in reducing the significant and unavoidable impacts of the proposed project. B. DESCRIPTION OF THE ALTERNATIVES The program EIR for the project evaluates the following four alternatives to the project: (1) a no project alternative; (2) an alternative neighborhood center design; (3) an alternative that incorporates all mitigation required for the proposed Specific Plan; and (4) a project with reduced residential density. 1. Alternative 1: No-Project. As required by CEQA, this EIR evaluates the environmental consequences of not proceeding with the project. This alternative assumes that the Specific Plan is not adopted, and that the site remains in its current state of farm and ranchlands, single - family homes and storage, although it would not preclude future development that may be proposed under the County's subdivision ordinance. This site is zoned and designated under the General Plan as Residential Single Family and Agricultural (AG). 2. Alternative 2: Neighborhood Center. This alternative would result in development clustered toward the center of the site and around a commercial core. The intensity of development in the Plan Area is similar to the proposed project but the Neighborhood City of San Luis Obispo December 2009 52 Findings of Fact and Statement o Overriding Considerations n Orcutt Area Specific Plan Attachment 6 - Exhibit A Center alternative includes potential for a greater amount of commercial uses than the proposed project. This alternative is substantially similar to the proposed project in that the overall number of dwelling units and expected population under this alternative are the same. The development pattern places a higher density of people in a concentrated area but also leaves more area as open space. This alternative, like the proposed Specific Plan includes development outside of the current URL. 3. Alternative 3: Mitigated Project. The Mitigated Project Alternative would include a Specific Plan revised to incorporate mitigation measures that are recommended for the proposed Specific. Plan. The Mitigated Project Alternative would include the same number of residences but at slightly higher densities than in the proposed Specific Plan. This is because there would be an increased amount of parkland, a potential fire station site, and there would not be any development outside of the current Urban Reserve Line (URL). 4. Alternative 4: Reduced Project. This alternative considers a development area that would be the same as the proposed project but with lesser residential density within that area. The development pattern, circulation, and open space areas would be similar to the proposed project. This alternative would accommodate up to 650 new dwelling units (about 330 fewer than under the proposed project) and a school in the same site as in the proposed Specific Plan. The commercial development potential would remain the same as the proposed project. C. EFFECTIVENESS OF ALTERNATIVES IN AVOIDING SIGNIFICANT PROTECT IMPACTS This section evaluates the effectiveness of the alternatives in reducing the significant and unavoidable impacts of the proposed project. 1. Significant and Unavoidable Aesthetic Impacts. The proposed project would result in significant and unavoidable impacts related to the aesthetic character of the site, and blockage of scenic views. Alternative 1 (No Project) is the only alternative that would avoid both of the significant impacts related to aesthetic character and view blockage. Alternatives 2, 3, and 4 would result in changes to the existing aesthetic character of the site similar to the proposed project. Under Alternative 2, views from Orcutt Road on the east side of the Orcutt Area would not be impacted to the extent that they would with the proposed project, however impacts would remain significant. Alternative 3 would reduce the impact to scenic views to a less than significant level by requiring a 50' setback from the Orcutt Road and Tank Farm. Road right -of -ways. However, under Alternative 3, the impacts to visual character could be greater than the proposed project due to higher residential densities and the addition of a fire station. Although the overall density of development under Alternative 4 would be less, impacts to aesthetic character and view blockage would remain significant. 2. Significant and Unavoidable Cumulative Air Quality Impacts. The proposed project would result in significant and unavoidable impacts related to Clean Air Plan (CAP) inconsistency, which is considered a cumulative air quality impact. Under Alternative 1 City of San Luis Obispo December 2009 53 Findings of Fact and Statement or Considerations Orcutt Area Specific Plan Attachment 6 - Exhibit A (No Project), no additional vehicle trips would be generated, and no development would be allowed outside of the ULL, therefore cumulative air quality impacts would be substantially reduced. Under Alternative 2, additional vehicle trips would result in increased emissions compared to the proposed project, which would cumulatively impact air quality. Because Alternatives 2 and 4 would allow development outside of the Urban Limit Line (ULL), impacts related to CAP consistency would be similar to the proposed project. Alternative 3 would not allow development outside of the existing ULL, and would therefore be consistent with the CAP. The pedestrian/bicycle underpass proposed in Alternative 3 would also result in fewer vehicle trips and associated cumulative vehicle emissions. Alternative 4 would also result in fewer trips and emissions, and includes less dwelling units and expected population than the proposed project; however, the significant cumulative impacts would not be avoided. 3. Significant and Unavoidable Cumulative Noise Impacts. The proposed project would contribute to significant and unavoidable cumulative roadway noise impacts caused by the addition of vehicle trips. Alternative 1 would not. add additional vehicle trips to the roadway network, and therefore, would avoid the cumulative impact relating to roadway noise. Alternative 2 would result in a greater number of vehicle trips and therefore have greater roadway noise impacts than the proposed project. The bicycle /pedestrian overpass proposed in Alternative 3 may reduce vehicle trips associated with the project. However, the addition of a fire station within the specific plan may result in periodic increases in roadway noise, although trips would be infrequent, and associated noise is unlikely to exceed the City's thresholds. The fire station would be subject to subsequent project -level environmental review. Alternative 4 would result in fewer vehicle trips and associated roadway noise than the proposed project, and with implementation of mitigation measure N -5(a) Fair Share of Cumulative Noise Improvements, the contribution to the cumulative roadway noise impacts would be reduced to a less than significant level. 4. Significant and Unavoidable Growth Inducing Impacts. The proposed project includes roadway extensions that would result in significant and unavoidable growth inducing impacts. Alternative 1 (No Project) would avoid this impact. Extension of the roadways within the Specific Plan area under Alternatives 2, 3, and 4 would result in growth inducement. D. ENVIRONMENTALLY SUPERIOR ALTERNATIVE AND FEASIBILITY OF PROTECT ALTERNATIVES 1. Finding: Alternative 1 (No Project) is environmentally superior overall, since no development would occur under the City jurisdiction and any new development would be required to be consistent with the County General Plan and Zoning Ordinance which allows residential development at a much lesser density. However, the existing Land Use Element establishes the Orcutt Area as a City Expansion Area and requires that a Specific Plan be adopted prior to urban development. Alternative 1 fails to meet the City's objectives for the project area, and thus is infeasible as a means of satisfying those objectives. The City, therefore, finds this alternative to be infeasible to implement. City of San Luis Obispo December 2009 54 Findings of Fact and Statement Overriding Considerations Orcutt Area Specific Plan Attachment 6 - Exhibit A 2. Finding: Alternative 2 (Neighborhood Center) would be inferior to the proposed Specific Plan. With a more compact and higher density design, this alternative requires less disturbed area but it includes more disturbance for roads in riparian areas. The amount of commercial area proposed would exceed the demand from the local neighborhood and would draw traffic from outside the plan area. In addition, the density proposed is inconsistent with the residential density limitations of the Airport Land Use Plan. Alternative does not avoid any of the Class I impacts associated with the proposed project. The City, therefore, finds that since this alternative is not environmentally superior to the proposed project, a feasibility determination is not necessary. 3. Finding: Alternative 3 (Mitigated Project) is considered environmentally superior to the Specific Plan for several issues. Alternative 3 also avoids the Class I impacts related to scenic view blockage, CAP consistency and cumulative roadway noise. However, this alternative would result in greater impacts to the visual character of the site. In addition, the proposed fire station may periodically increase roadway noise, due to the sirens associated with emergency vehicles, although this project component would be subject to subsequent environmental review. The City, therefore, finds that this alternative is not entirely superior to the proposed project; therefore, a feasibility determination is not necessary. 4. Finding: Alternative 4 (Reduced Project) is also superior to the proposed Specific Plan in most environmental issue areas since there are fewer residents on the site that could be impacted. Alternative 4 avoids the Class I impact related to cumulative roadway noise. However, Alternative 4 would not fully satisfy the project objectives of 1) provision of a variety of housing types for all income levels or 2) provision of new jobs. Alternative 4 would result in fewer total residential units than the proposed project (330 vs. 1000) and with less housing overall, would be inferior to the proposed project in terms of its ability to provide a variety of housing types for all income levels. In addition, with less residential development compared to the proposed project, Alternative 4 would provide fewer construction- related jobs, and would create less of a demand for goods and services in the area. The City, therefore, finds that Alternative 4 is inferior to the proposed project, and therefore infeasible to implement. SECTION 8. STATEMENT OF OVERRIDING CONSIDERATIONS A. INTRODUCTION The program EIR for the project identifies the following significant and unavoidable impacts of the project: 1. The proposed development would affect the aesthetic character of the site vicinity through alteration of viewsheds from Orcutt and Tank Farm Roads. 2. The proposed development would affect the aesthetic character of the Specific Plan Area and impede views of Righetti Hill. City of San Luis Obispo December 2009 55 Findings of Fact and Statement or "Overriding Considerations Orcutt Area Specific Plan Attachment 6 - Exhibit A 3. Cumulative development of these proposed developments would result in a significant cumulative loss of open space and would irrevocably alter the character of these areas throughout the City from rural to urban. Implementation of the proposed Specific Plan would incrementally contribute to this change in aesthetic character of the site and the surrounding areas. 4. The proposed Specific Plan is consistent with population assumptions of the General Plan and San Luis Obispo County Clean Air Plan (CAP). However, the Specific Plan proposes low density residential development outside of the current Urban Reserve Line (URL) which will require an adjustment of the URL to be consistent with the General Plan. The 2001 CAP encourages development to occur within the URL of cities, therefore, the Specific Plan is inconsistent with the 2001 Clean Air Plan (CAP). 5. The GASP is inconsistent with the CAP policy of containing urban development within the URL of cities and exceeds the SLOAPCD Tier II thresholds of significance. As a result, the OASP is considered to be potentially inconsistent with long -term regional air quality planning efforts, and the Specific Plan is expected to have significant and unavoidable impacts on air quality. 6. The proposed Specific Plan, in combination with cumulative development at General Plan buildout would add to roadway corridor noise levels already above the 60 dBA Ldn City threshold. 7. Extensions of the roadways proposed by the Specific Plan may have significant impacts related to growth inducement. For projects which would result in significant environmental impacts that cannot be avoided, CEQA requires that the lead agency balance the benefits of these projects against the unavoidable environmental risks in determining whether to approve the projects. If the benefits of these projects outweigh the unavoidable impacts, those impacts may be considered acceptable (CEQA Guidelines Section 15093[a]). CEQA requires that, before adopting such projects, the public agency adopt a Statement of Overriding Considerations setting forth the reasons why the agency finds that the benefits of the project outweigh the significant environmental effects caused by the project. This statement is provided below. B. REQUIRED FINDINGS The City has incorporated all feasible mitigation measures into the project. Although these measures will significantly lessen the unavoidable impacts listed above, the measures will not fully avoid these impacts. The City has also examined a reasonable range of alternatives to the project and has incorporated portions of these alternatives into the project in order to reduce impacts. The City has determined that none of these alternatives, taken as a whole, is both environmentally superior and more feasible than the project. Alternative 1 (No Project) would avoid all of the significant impacts of the project, but is not considered feasible. Alternative 2 is considered to be environmentally inferior to the proposed project. Alternative 3 would be superior to the project in some aspects, but would result in greater impacts to the visual character of the site. Alternative 4 is superior to the proposed of San Luis Obispo December 56 Findings of Fact and Statement t Overriding Considerations Orcutt Area Specific Plan Attachment 6 - Exhibit A project in that it avoids the Class I impact related to cumulative roadway noise. However, Alternative 4 is inferior to the proposed project in terms of its ability to meet all of the project objectives, including 1) Provision of a Variety of Housing Types for all Income Levels or 2) Provision of New jobs. In preparing this Statement of Overriding Considerations, the City has balanced the benefits of the proposed project against its unavoidable environmental risks. For the reasons specified below, the City finds that the following considerations outweigh the proposed project's unavoidable environmental risks: 1. Provision of new Residential and Commercial Uses. The Orcutt Area Specific Plan will develop a new residential neighborhood to meet the City's housing needs and that designates sufficient land for neighborhood serving commercial uses to reduce vehicle trips and provide for the convenience of area residents. 2. Provision of a Variety of Housing Types for all Income Levels. The Orcutt Area Specific Plan provides a variety of housing types and costs to meet the needs of renters and buyers with a variety of income - levels, including inclusionary affordable housing for residents with moderate, low and very-low income levels. 3. Open Space and Natural Resource. Protection: Implementation of the proposed project would result in the creation of 47 acres of permanently- protected open space on Righetti Hill, and 34 acres of creek and wetland corridors and setback areas. The Specific Plan would protect and enhance Righetti Hill, creek /wetland habitats, and visual resources in open space areas. 4. Provision of Park and Recreational Facilities. The Orcutt Area Specific Plan will provide parks, recreational facilities, public squares, plazas and green spaces for residents of the Orcutt Area. 5. Well - Planned Neighborhood Would Reduce Vehicle. Trips: The Orcutt Area Specific Plan would develop a new residential neighborhood to meet the City's housing needs and that designates sufficient land for neighborhood serving commercial uses to reduce vehicle trips and provide for the convenience of area residents. In addition, the Specific Plan encourages the use of bicycles and walking within the Plan Area by: (a) including specific policies and development standards that will result in subdivision and building designs that facilitate bike use and pedestrian access; (b) incorporating all classes of bike lanes and include bike and pedestrian paths through the parks and open space areas; and (c) providing parks, recreational facilities, public squares, plazas and green spaces for residents of the Orcutt Area. 6. Provision of New jobs. The project would create new construction- related and permanent jobs in the project area. Planned commercial development in the Airport Area and Margarita area will provide new jobs that are needed to support a household within the Orcutt Area. City of San Luis Obispo December 2009 57 Findings of Fact and Statement of Overriding Considerations Orcutt Area Speck Plan Attachment 6 - Exhibit A 7. Implementation of the General Plan: As required by the City General Plan, the Orcutt Area Specific Plan contains policies and standards that will facilitate appropriate development of land, protection of open space, and provision of adequate public facilities. Accordingly, the City finds that the project's adverse, unavoidable environmental impacts are outweighed by these considerable benefits. Dated: 2010 David F. Romero Mayor, City of San Luis Obispo City of San Luis Obispo December 2009 58 ---- - - - -.. B B Ple-nofe tlteollong ornatifln_and make �hangesto tas andf guresat note I'' ea� Per the Parcel Map COAL 91060, recorded 5 -26 -1992 at BK 49 PM Page 52: Parcel 1 is 2.0 acres, AP 4076 481016, current owners Nick Muick, Patti Taylor, Rick Taylor Parcel 2 is 10.0 acres, AP #076 481017, current owners Nick Muick, Patti Taylor The following need to be revised: Table A -1: add Rick Taylor to AP #076 481 016 Table A -2: add Taylor to last name change 11.98 Acres to 12.0 Acres Table A -3: add AP #076 481 016 change 11.98 to 12.0 Acres s 3.2.6 Elementary School The San Luis Coastal Unified School District (SLCUSD) is the primary provider of educational services for the City of San Luis Obispo as well as other smaller communities along the coast such as Morro Bay and Los Osos. As a K- 12 unified district, SLCUSD operates ten elementary schools (including two magnet schools), two middle schools, and three high schools. The Orcutt Area Specific Plan is designed to accommodate a new elementary school site. The school's location was initially planned adjacent to the neighborhood park, however, proximity to the railroad tracks and aircraft over -flight reduces the feasibility of this location. To facilitate the decision - making process regarding the school site location, both the SLCUSD and the California Department of Education (CDE) prepared separate studies of four locations within the Orcutt Area, and one location just outside the specific plan's boundaries. The CDE study was prepared by the School Facilities Planning field representative and completed on April 8, 2009, while the SLCUSD study was prepared by Oasis Associates, Inc. and completed on April 28, 2009. Both studies are on file in the Community Development Department. SLCUSD has indicated that a new school would not be needed until significant portions of the Orcutt Area and Margarita Area are developed. However, early planning for the site is needed to facilitate its development and ensure that appropriate infrastructure is in place to serve the facility. The five sites evaluated by SLCUSD are shown in Figure 3.1 and include: Site A & E: Two different locations are identified adjacent to the Neighborhood Park Site B: 3811 Orcutt Road (Garay) Site C: Righetti Ranch House Site (outside the Urban Reserve Line) Site D: Wixom Ranch (outside of GASP and Urban Reserve Line) After reviewing both the SLCUSD and the CDE studies, the Board of Education ultimately determined that Site C would be the most suitable location for the new school site. Site C is located on land designated Conservation/Open Space outside of the City's Urban Reserve Line. Site B was considered by the Board of Education to be the next best option in terms of locating a school. This site is designed Low - Density Residential (R -1) and schools are a conditionally allowed use in this zone. SLCUSD is a superior agency to the City of San Luis Obispo and is encouraged, but not required, to go through the City's entitlement process prior to establishing a school site. In general, the City's preference is to locate the school site within the street network that will be established by future GASP development. 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