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HomeMy WebLinkAboutEQCB Min 1994-12-13 , ",,~... - -"" , . pl'. . Environmental Quality Control Board Minutes DECEMBER 13,1994 Call to Order at 6 30 p.m. I. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE II. ROLL CALL Present: Absent: Also Present Voce, Logan (6:55), Nakagawa, Hood Hurley (excused) Lee Whittenberg, Director of Development Services Barry Curtis, Administrative Assistant (planning) . III. ApPROVAL OF AGENDA MOTION BY HOOD; SECOND BY NAKAGAWA: TO APPROVE THE AGENDA. MOTION CARRIED: A YES: NOES: 4-0 VOCE, HOOD, NAKAGAWA, LOGAN NONE IV. ORAL COMMUNICATIONS - none. V. CONSENT CALENDAR - none. VI. PUBLIC HEARINGS 1. Draft Environmental Impact Report (DEIR) regarding the Bixby Old Ranch Golf Course Development Plan - Public and Board Review for Adequacy, Areas Requiring Clarification, Expansion of Information or Correction of Incorrect Information. . f\ \.,cI.\..m9417 kBCC . . . .. EnVlronental Quality Control Board Minutes of December 13, 1994 . Lee Whittenberg, Director of Development Services presented the staff report (on file with the Department of Development Services) Mr. Whittenberg explained this meeting is the second of two (2) scheduled before the EQCB during the public comment period on the Draft Environmental Impact Report (OEIR) regarding the Bixby Old Ranch Golf Course Development Plan. The City's consultant team is present, including the Mr. Jay Ziff ofEIP Associates, the lead consultant, ,representatives from Aries and Brown-Buntin and Associates who worked on the aviation and noise impact sections of the document and representatives from DKS Associates who will make a presentation on traffic impacts. Mr. Whittenberg outlined the responsibilities under the EIR process. It is not the Board's duty to comment on the project specifically, but rather the adequacy of the EIR under the provisions of the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA). Mr. Whittenberg read CEQA's definition of "adequacy". Mr. Whittenberg indicated there are comment forms present for members of the public to present written comments regarding the adequacy of the DEIR. Mr. Whittenberg turned the meeting over to Mr Ziff of EIP Associates. Mr. Ziff presented a brief overview of the project, the EIR process to date and the process forthcoming. Mr Ziff turned the floor over to DKS Associates to discuss traffic analysis . Mr. Doug Smith and Bob Close ofDKS Associates made a presentation on the traffic analysis which has been performed in response to this proposal. Mr. Smith discussed the methodologies used, and indicated the County's CMP guidelines were used. He presented visual schematics of the proposed intersection mitigations. Mr Ziff reminded the Board that even though the entire summary table was not presented again this evening it is all available for comment or review Boardmember Hood asked who would pay for the widening of the Seal Beach Boulevard bridge over Interstate 405? Mr. Whittenberg indicated this is a two-pronged answer. A project must pay for its fair share of impacts. Fees would be collected through impact fees and the City would seek additional funding through such sources as Measure M funds. Boardmember Hood said he didn't wanted the City to have to make up the difference or to accept an inferior mitigation measure due to concerns over cost to the City Member Hood asked whether impacts from potential mitigation measures have been studied? Particularly, removal of the bike path or removal of the median from a visual and safety standpoint. Mr. Ziffindicated maintenance of the bike path is being considered a priority Boardmember Nakagawa asked what the values of the trips per day were? Mr. Smith indicated they uses national averages. Mr. Nakagawa asked if the Orange County averages could be used instead or as well. Mr. Smith said he was uncertain whether the County's figures could be used. He will investigate this and attempt to give an estimate how these figures will affect the existing numbers. Mr. Nakagawa asked for the City to use the County number if it is legal or appropriate Mr. Nakagawa stated the visuals presented should be aimed more toward a lay person or average decision maker. He asked that a simplistic map be included in the summary . Page 2 f\ \.,J,\"'"94 17 k Bee . . EnVlronental Quality Control Board Mmutes of December 13, 1994 . Boardmember Logan asked what the impacts are going to be all along Lampson through College park East. Mr. Whittenberg said this would be discussed in the "Response to Comments". Mr. Ziff reminded the Board the aviation and noise consultants are here if needed Mr. Whittenberg indicated there are two (2) written documents of comments this evening, one from the City's Archaeological Advisory Committee commenting on the adequacy of the Cultural Resources section of the DEIR, and one from the Bixby Ranch Company. Chairman Voce opened the public hearing. David Steele - Rossmoor · The traffic impact analysis should be updated to consider traffic impacts through Rossmoor ultimately to Katella. · Had concerns regarding construction and use of the Los Alamitos Retarding Basin. Passive park use should be highest and best use Is the City aware of this report? Shouldn't park use be highest use of the subject property? Mr. Whittenberg informed Mr. Steele the retarding basin he is referring to is located behind the Hellman Ranch, over a mile from the subject property The report Mr. Steele read from does not . pertain to the Bixby site. · Mr. Steele changed his question to how will impacts on flood retention on the Bixby site be addressed . When will the project specific drainage report be completed and how can he get a copy of it? Mr. Whittenberg indicated a report will not be prepared unless the project is approved. · He asked for a discussion with the community of Ross moor regarding all of their concerns prior to the release of the Final EIR . Concern regarding traffic at Katella and Los Alamitos Boulevard, impacts to parks, ingress/egress at 1-405, loss of eucalyptus trees, traffic into and out of new development, sewer accommodations, mitigation of bridge traffic creates a safety concern. Pachenco - Rossmoor . Diagram shown is inaccurate, the intersections curve . If you widen Seal Beach Boulevard you will have to lose eucalyptus trees There used to be 1000's of trees once. . Page 3 f\ \.,cb\.n"94 17 bee Bee . . . . . Environental Quality Control Board Minutes of December J 3, J 994 . Concerned with increase in traffic on Seal Beach Boulevard, particularly since office construction has occurred on the other side of Seal Beach Boulevard. · Doesn't agree with traffic generation figures · Restriping will eliminate bike lanes. This will be very unsafe to cyclists. Donna Maguire - Seal Beach · What is the present zoning of the areas proposed for development? Mr. Whittenberg indicated the applicants are seeking several zone changes The primary area of the golf course is zoned for recreational golf uses, the southeast corner of Lampson & Seal Beach Boulevard is zone General Commercial (C-2) as is the existing tennis club site. A triangle of land located at the northwest corner of the Bixby property, next to the Mobil service station at Rossmoor Center Way is also zoned C-2. Ms. Maguire said she thought the only commercial zoning was next to the Mobil station. · She would like to see an EIR done on a development which complies with existing zoning Mr. Whittenberg added the EIR does discuss buildout under the existing zoning · She felt the majority of people in Seal Beach are very unhappy with this project and they don't want it. · She is concerned the crash zones have disappeared from the Bixby property Mr Nakagawa asked Ms. Maguire whether she felt she had been presented adequate information regarding the crash zone. She said no Pachenco - Rossmoor · There has been several crashes of aircraft within the base over the years' an A-4D crashed into Rossmoor, a Neptune bomber crashed into the weapons center; when he was stationed at a Nike site in Stanton and A-4D crashed into his site Concerned with putting human lives in area where crashes are known to have happened Mary MacAulTU' - College Park West · Is it true that no EIR is required if a developer's request meets existing zoning? Mr. Whittenberg discussed that since Bixby's zoning has been in place since prior to 1972, no EIR is required for development meeting that zoning. It is considered a preexisting use. Mr Whittenberg discussed exemptions under CEQA. Mr. Whittenberg discussed the options available to the Planning Commission and City Council Page 4 F\ 1,..,J,\.n,"9417 kllCC . . . Envlronental Quality Control Board Mmutes of December 13.1994 Boardmember Hood · He concurred with the comments of the Archaeological Committee. Chairman Voce agreed. Boardmember Logan . Is the sod farm irrigated with fresh or reclaimed water? Boardmember Nakagawa · Feels the City has a pretty clear Archaeological Element. Why didn't consultant follow it? . An EIR should provide decision makers and public with sufficient adequate information to make a decision. He has problems with the summary section. He feels it's inadequate because the public and the decision makers cannot understand it Since the Planning Commissioners and City Council cannot understand this document it is invalid The summary should be for lay people. · Would like to see traffic diagrams and information provided so laypeople and decision makers can make an intelligent decision. He would like 3-D drawings. . He feels Table 20 should be included in Chapter 2, the summary. · He feels the zone changes should be described in the summary. Also the legal risks, from aircraft safety, the City is taking by changing from commercial to residential zoning. · The aircraft safety and aircraft noise presented in Chapter 2 is indecipherable Would like the consultants to set up speakers to show public and decisions makers what noise will sound like, particularly on a worst case basis We can see just how risky this proposal is. · Would like a layperson description of actual accident potential. · Is there a requirement for open space in the City? Does this golf course count as open space? Mr. Whittenberg explained the City has specific requirements for the provision of open space/park space in conjunction with residential developments The applicant will be required to meet this, the golf course does not count · There should be something regarding water consumption in the summary. Mr. Whittenberg indicated the project will have less need for water consumption over the existing uses, due to the large amount of water consumed by the sod farm. . He's wary of commercial proposal without any specifics. he'd like to see some type of alternatives for commercial Page 5 f' 1,..01,\""94 17 k. ace .. EnVlronental Quality Control Board Mmutes of December 13,1994 . Chairman Voce · Can the EQCB send this document back for further information in the DEIR stage? · Does further urbanizing a parcel in an already urbanized area, truly outweigh the loss of prime farm land? · Was it investigated to determine whether this site ever contained wetlands or fresh water? . Was grey water reuse technology applied to the proposal? Regarding 4 6-4 mitigation or alternatives. · How will water runoff affect the San Gabriel River into the Pacific Ocean? · The EIR discusses there is very little native vegetation on site; is this enough to preclude it from ever reflourishing in the future? · Is habitat going to be precluded from making a comeback? . How would flight operation between 55,000 and 113,000 affect cumulative noise contours? This question is in regards to Figure 4 8-6 · Can both runways be shown in aU figures and/or illustrations? · Can mitigation measure 4 6-1 include solar technology to offset the demand on the electrical usage? . · Demonstrate to the public the environment is protected. . Does the City of Seal Beach need an Environmental Element to the General Plan prior to considering this project? · Gated communities limit access to environmental information Therefore they have political and sociological impacts. Boardmember Nakagawa Can aircraft and noise consultants speak to the Board as to their capabilities in responding to the concerns expressed above? Mr. Whittenberg indicated the consultants will speaking off the cuff and things they say will need to be discussed amongst all consultants and staff and may need to amended. . Bob Brown of Brown-Buntin Associates, the City's acoustics consultant spoke regarding providing a laypersons response. He will make an attempt to do so. Regarding a demonstration, anything is possible for a cost. It's up to the City to determine to what extent they wish to go. His firm has done audio demonstrations for large groups in large rooms, as well as smaller rooms like this. It aUows people to experience first hand what the sounds will be like. It is not an easy thing to do, many factors must be carried out in great detail. Mr. Nakagawa suggested several scenarios for public participation in noise demonstrations Mr. Brown felt a noise demonstration would not work properly without supervision by the acoustical engineers. Page 6 f\ \..,c~\m'.94" bee ace ". . . . . t ~ EnVlronental Quality Control Board Minutes of December 13, 1994 John Sanders or Aries Consultants spoke regarding accident potential. Mr. Sanders discussed the new land use handout that CALTRANS has put out. It can be added to the Final EIR. Boardmember Hood formally requested this information be added. The CAL TRANS document is the "Airport Land Use Planning Handbook" form December 1993. Mr. Whittenberg reiterated the public comment period will continue until 5:00 PM on December 27th. The EIR is available at the three (3) local libraries as well as at City Hall. Chairman Voce closed the public hearing. VII. STAFF CONCERNS Staff will be scheduling a future meeting of the EQCB once the "Response to Comments" document is prepared. Staffwill contact the Board regarding this matter once we have an idea of the timing. VIII. BOARD CONCERNS Chairman Voce indicated the County of Orange Board of Supervisors will make its determination on the Bolsa Chica project tomorrow. IX. ADJOURNMENT Motion by Hood, Second by Logan to adjourn this meeting AYES NOES ABSENT VOCE, HOOD, LOGAN, NAKAGAWA none HURLEY The meeting was adjourned at 9'33 P.M. Respectfully Submitted, Barry Curtis, Secretary Environmental Quality Control Board Page 7 f\ \..,cb\m"94 I? be. Bee -&~~ tn--- o~~ G ~. ~ ~~.6 &-J.~ ~ ~a.Uk . ~-k;^/~~ v.o_~eU',jpd'6~f,~ " . '#. ~ 'n'ZA19 liVfT~ k ~ ~p. tfudlte( 7t~ GD~~~ " ~~~ ? ~~~ ~/~ ~ ~~1 ~~? (2) Wt74-;f ~~ ~ dd-~ r ~ ~~ cJ:;tnf-L ~ ~f~ ,RA't-Avv tv-d-uu f7"l/ -I-/d~ ~~ we! ? ~ lAu.J ;//Utak- m ~~ ~dr/<;J-wef~~~ OI.-'~ . .$ tutU- ~-e/L;r-A ' Vo V-/uI- ~ Re: ~~ - /f/ W/~ tfl." ~~7 r c2J II~~~~ . ~~ ~ Yk . ~~ ~ . ~~~p+ tJ~? EM'!;? ~/~r. ([) !-f{)UJ UI/II nd:-4~ ~ ~~~.? ~ ~ V-Iw- ~~ ~aLi~~_fS)~~~ '\ ~~/~ r . . ? 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