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HomeMy WebLinkAboutEQCB Min 1997-10-23 .... - . . . ". Environmental Quality Control Board Minutes October 23, 1997 Call to Order at 6:32 p.m. I. Pledge of Allegiance II. Roll Call Present: Absent: Hurley, Voce, Christ, Rosenman McGuire Also Present: Barry Curtis, Associate Planner m Approval of Agenda Motion by Voce; second by Hurley to approve the agenda. Motion Carried: AYES: NOES: ABSENT: 4-0-0 Hurley, Voce, Christ, Rosenman None McGuire IV. Oral Communications - none V. Consent Calendar - none VI. Public Hearings -none VII. Scheduled Matters 1. Scoping Meeting for the Preparation of a Draft Environmental Impact Report (OEIR) for the Proposed Bixby Old Ranch Towne Center Project (Continued from Previous Meeting) Mr. Curtis introduced Andie Culbertson of Culbertson, Adams & Associates, the environmental firm hired by the City to prepare the environmental impact report. Ms. Culbertson outlined the CEQA process as it applies to the Bixby application. Ms. Culbertson indicated the purpose of this scoping meeting is for the public to identify environmental concerns, in addition to those addressed in the ''Notice of Preparation" for the EIR, that they wish to see addressed in the EIR. The purpose of this meeting is not to comment on the merits of the proposed project. She indicated her firm will compile a D:\My Documents\EQCB Stuff\Minutes of October 23, 1997.doc . . . EQCB Minutes of October 23, 1997 rolling mailing list for those interested in the project and will send them notices of upcoming meetings and availability of documents. Chairman Rosenman opened the public comment period. Dennis Sandler Mr. Sandler indicated he had previously submitted a letter of concerns touching on several issues. He added he is concerned with potential impacts on schools from residential uses. Eulalee Siler - Seal Beach Mrs. Siler felt notification for such meetings should be expanded to include all five (5) local papers. She asked that the EIR contain an evaluation of the previous residential proposal. Gary Marshall- Rossmoor Mr. Marshall indicated he is concerned with traffic impacts and congestion at the 1-405 overpass, decreased aesthetic value of surrounding areas increased crime from commercial uses and decreased property value. He indicated there are buffers provided for north Seal Beach and Los Alamitos; where are the buffers for Rossmoor? He indicated the project is in conflict with the City's General Plan. He felt the elimination of heritage trees, the eucalyptus windrow, should be discussed in the EIR. He felt the EIR should consider air quality impacts for traffic generated by the project. Finally, he wondered why the City of Seal Beach had commented that commercial uses were out of place and detrimental for the Bolsa Chica project, but were ok here. Dorothy Whyte - Seal Beach Ms Whyte indicated she was concerned with the number of driveways proposed for the north side of Lampson and conflicts these would create with bicyclists and other pedestrians using the bike lanes. She wondered whether a left-turn pocket would be provided for the driving range? Because of the above two concerns, she felt "hazards from design features" should be upgraded to "potentially significant". She wanted the EIR to address whether any endangered species on-site, such as hawks, will be affected. She felt cumulative noise impacts from the air base, freeway and project should be addressed; this should be considered "potentially significant". "Emergency response/evacuation" should be upgraded to "potentially significant" as there is only one way in and out of College Park East. Impacts on public services such as fire, police and schools should be upgraded to "potentially significant". Aesthetic impacts along Lampson, particularly because it is considered a Scenic Highway in the General Plan, should be considered. If the hotel accommodates long-term stays, school impacts should be considered. She indicated she is concerned with the character of the Page 2 Minutes of October 23, 1997 . . . EQCB Minutes of October 23. 1997 hotel. Finally, the EIR should evaluate the ambulance and fire responses generated by the project. Delores Sartain - Seal Beach Ms. Sartain indicated she is concerned with already high traffic levels and potential dangers to motorists caused by additional traffic and driveways. Air and noise pollution caused by the project will result in negative impacts on health. She is concerned with potential impacts from crime and a subsequent affect on property values as a result of some commercial uses, particularly those that operate late at night. She wanted the EIR to compare the number of parking spaces at Rossmoor Center with those at the proposed center; she felt additional parking spaces will translate to additional traffic. Finally, she felt a cemetery should be considered as an alternative use. Irwin Anisman - Rossmoor Indicated Rossmoor Center Way is labeled "Rossmoor Way". He is concerned with traffic congestion caused by adding the proposed center's traffic to existing levels. He is concerned with the proposed church operating hours on days other than Sunday, as well as the potential of the church to be rented out for other uses during the week. He asked what the schedule is future hearings, input deadlines, etc. Finally, he requested a copy of the Memorandum of Understanding for the project. Michael Varalyai He indicated this is not a new project, several previous proposals have been considered for this site which were found to be infeasible. He felt the EIR should say how the site should be developed. Charles Antos, Seal Beach Mr. Antos felt the PLU zone was not written with church uses in mind. The PLU zoning is being over-broadly interpreted and another zoning designation should be considered. He felt a cemetery use of the property would have the least impact and be the most profitable. He felt some of the proposed uses are incompatible with the AUCUZ crash zones and noise impact zones. He was concerned with potential impacts on the air base's operations, particularly in an emergency and felt uses at the end of a runway should be compatible. Audrey Kime - Seal Beach Ms. Kime referenced a letter the College Park East Neighborhood Association she had submitted. She felt the EIR should address impacts on bicycle/pedestrian facilities because of the proposed new driveways. Finally, she asked that biological resources Page 3 Minutes of October 23, 1997 . . . EQCB Minutes of October 23, 1997 be considered; particularly impacts to the eucalyptus trees and wild life using them. Will tree removal occur during nesting season? Cliff Vineyard - Seal Beach Mr. Vineyard felt that impacts on recreation should be evaluated due to loss of some of the golf course to commercial. He gave an example of a promised pool for College Park East that was never built. Cibel/a Wilenus- Ms. Wilenus indicated she is concerned with traffic and congestion from the proposed church. She discussed another large church and indicated they had to place two policemen to direct traffic. Katherine Johnson - Ms. Johnson felt impacts on emergency traffic should be analyzed. These vehicles already have a difficult time getting through the project area with existing traffic levels. Gary Marshal/- Rossmoor Mr. Marshall was concerned with the classification of the hotel as a "business hotel". He is not aware of any business people who cook their meals in their rooms. He felt this hotel may attract an undesirable element. Further, due to the proposed gas stoves, he felt the increased fire risk should be considered. The fire department should be consulted about this. There being no further speakers, Chairman Rosenman closed public comments. BOARD COMMENTS Boardmember Hurley Mr. Hurley expressed concern with the use of incorporation by reference. He wants the EIR to indicate where the referenced documents are and have them available to the public. He asked that the EIR be specific as to the number and type of restaurants on the south side of Lampson. On pages 3 -11,12 it indicates "to follow the proposed project"; what does this mean? Boardmember Voce Indicated he supports evaluation of a cemetery alternative. Impacts from the Bolsa Chica project should be included in the traffic analysis. He asked that traffic/circulation numbers be included for all alternatives. He suggested an alternative Page 4 Minutes of October 23, 1997 . . . EQCB Minutes of October 23, 1997 be considered that included light industrial as a major component as this would provide jobs and may reduce commuting. He asked that each alternative address how the eucalyptus trees will be affected and protected. He questioned whether there was a demand for such a large church. He asked that the EIR indicate how each alternative would be affected by AICUZ noise zones (Le. special mitigation measures). He asked that the EIR provide a more specific description of the hotel, including a range of rates. He asked that future project meeting notification be given to all newspapers in the area. Finally, he provided the consultants with a manual "How to Save Trees During Construction" for their use as a reference. Boardmember Christ He asked that the EIR evaluate impacts of eucalyptus tree removal on birdlife. He felt there is already a large amount of accidents and traffic along Lampson Avenue and the project may result in further impacts on safety here. He felt police service may be impacted by additional commercial uses. He questioned what he felt to be an inconsistency between the church use and the PLU zoning designation. He expressed concern with the C-2 zoning on the south side of Lampson, particularly as it related to the restaurants; what other uses could the restaurants be converted to? He asked that the EIR consider bikeway alternatives to circumvent the area. Finally, he asked that the EIR consider pedestrian crossing alternatives at Seal Beach Boulevard (i.e. under or overpass). Chairman Rosenman He asked that the EIR include a gerontologist's opinion regarding noise impacts (from aircraft and traffic) on patients at the nursing facility. He asked that the EIR address maintenance of adequate emergency response to and from the air base during a disaster. He asked whether or not there is a market to sustain the proposed commercial center. He suggested the consideration of deed restrictions to prevent the church uses from changing at a later date to other PLU uses. Finally, he added he felt the project should consider project noise and traffic impacts. VllI. Staff Concerns - none. IX. Board Concerns Boardmember Christ thanked the public for their input. Boardmember Voce indicated there had been some sentiment to cancel the regularly scheduled meeting of October 29th. Ifso, he recommended the Board continue to a date in mid-November, as the Board's regular November meeting is the day before Thanksgiving. The Board discussed this matter and determined to hold the meeting on Thursday, November 13th. Page 5 Minutes of October 23, 1997 . . . EQCB Minutes of October 23, 1997 Boardmember Hurley asked staff to provide the Board with a copy of its final resolution on the HeUman project at its next meeting. x. Adjournment Motion by Voce; second by Christ to cancel the Board's regularly scheduled meeting on October 29, 1997 and continue this meeting to Thursday, November 13, 1997 at 6:30 p.m. in the City Council Chambers. Motion Carried: A YES: NOES: ABSENT: 4-0-0 Hurley, Voce, Christ, Rosenman None McGuire was adjourned at 8:33 P.M. IS, Secretary ental Quality Control Board Page 6 Minutes of October 23, 1997 IIIl"'" . . . Environmental Quality Control Board Minutes November 13, 1997 Call to Order at 6:32 p.m. I. Pledge of Allegiance II. III. IV. VII. Roll Call Present: Absent: Christ, Hurley, McGuire, Rosenman, Voce None Also Present: Barry Curtis, Associate Planner Approval of Agenda Motion by McGuire; second by Voce to approve the agenda with all items on the Consent Calendar pulled for discussion. Additionally, Item 11 will be reordered to be considered first Motion Carried: AYES: NOES: ABSENT: 5-0-0 Christ, Hurley, McGuire, Rosenman, Voce None None Oral Communications - none. Scheduled Matters (Re-oredered by Board) 11. Presentation by Diana Mann re: Mechanical Leaf Blowers Presentation on leaf blowers by Diana Mann, a citizen of Long Beach. Ms. Mann provided the Board with copies of articles and a video tape regarding the banning of gasoline powered leaf blowers. Ms. Mann discussed her efforts to ban leaf blowers in Long Beach. The Board discussed scheduling discussion of leaf blowers at the next regular meeting. The Board will consider formulating a recommendation the City Council. V. Consent Calendar 1. Minutes of September 9, 1997 Boardmember Hurley suggested holding over items 1-4 to the next meeting as he has had D:\My Documents\EQCB Stuff\Minutes of November 13, 1997.doc II"""" . . . EQCBMinutesofNovember 13,1997 insufficient time to review these items. The Board unanimously agreed to hold these items over until the next meeting. 2. Minutes of September 16, 1997 3. Minutes of October 14,1997 4. Minutes of October 23, 1997 5. Receive & File. Staff Report dated November 13, 1997 re: Response to Draft EIR - Long Beach Animal Care Facility, Long Beach Boardmember Hurley asked that the letter be amended to say the Board only reviewed the Executive Summary of the Draft EIR Motion by Hurley; second by McGuire to forward the comment letter to the City Council and authorize the Chairman to sign the letter, as amended Motion Carried: AYES: NOES: ABSENT: 5-0-0 Christ, Hurley, McGuire, Rosenman, Voce None None 6. Receive & File. Staff Report dated November 13,1997 re: Response to Notice of Preparation of Draft EIR - Draft Program EIR for the County Sanitation Districts of Orange County Strategic Plan - County Sanitation Districts of Orange County Boardmember Voce indicated he would like the Draft document to look at possible technologies to improve the treatment process. As the technologies advance, he would like them to be implemented in treating the eflluent released into the ocean. The goal should be treatment to a tertiary level. Boardmember Voce also added that the use of biosolids in farmlands should be carefully considered to prevent harmful effects. Chairman Rosenman added he would like a comment suggesting the consideration of the use of wetlands such as the example in Arcata. He felt if Humboldt County can do this, we should at least discuss it. Chairman Rosenman suggested adding this as a new second paragraph on Page 6. Further, the reference to the City having no specific comments should be removed. He further asked for a mitigation measure to consider a backup system in the event to a power failure. Boardmember McGuire indicated she felt the City's comments should begin with "The City believes the document will be adequate if the items discussed above are included". Motion by Christ; second by Voce to forward the comment letter to the City Council and authorize the Chairman to sign the letter, as amended (copy of final letter attached). Motion Carried: 5-0-0 Page 2 Minutes of November 13, 1997 . . . EQCBMinutesofNovember 13,1997 AYES: NOES: ABSENT: Christ, Hurley, McGuire, Rosenman, Voce None None 7. Receive & File. Staff Report dated November 13,1997 re: Response to Draft EIR- Commercial Development of Los Altos Drive-In Theater Boardmember McGuire indicated she wants the City to closely watch Long Beach. They piecemeal everything instead oflooking at the big picture. She asked whether traffic from the Koll project was considered in their numbers. She would like a reminder about Koll, Bixby and Hellman. Chairman Rosenman wants the document to include cumulative, immediate and long term traffic impacts. This should be addressed in the traffic concerns. The City is also concerned with impacts at College Park West, Studebaker and 7th Street. Motion by McGuire; second by Christ to forward the comment letter to the City Council and authorize the Chairman to sign the letter, as amended (copy of final letter attached). Motion Carried: AYES: NOES: ABSENT: 5-0-0 Christ, Hurley, McGuire, Rosenman, Voce None None 8. Receive & File. City Council Staff Report dated October 27,1997 re: Seal Beach Naval Weapons Station Installation Restoration Program - Status Report re: All Installation Restoration Sites Boardmember Voce spoke regarding contamination of Site 7. He concern was regarding saturation of this area if we receive a lot of rain. His expressed concern with leeching of chemicals into the wetlands. Boardmember Voce indicated his desire that the Navy would consider some means of protecting this area from soaking rain. Chairman Rosenman indicated the RAB has pushed for the maximum cleanup level of the base, to a residential standard. Motion by Hurley; second by Christ to receive and file. Motion Carried: AYES: NOES: ABSENT: 5-0-0 Christ, Hurley, McGuire, Rosenman, Voce None None 9. Receive & File. Staff Report dated November 13,1997 re: Response to Mitigated Negative Declaration - Bishop Ranch, Westminster After some discussion, the Board determined to receive and file the staff report and authorize the Chairman to sign the letter. Page 3 Minutes of November 13, 1997 . . . EQCBMinutesofNovember 13,1997 Motion by McGuire; second by Christ authorize the Chairman to sign the comment letter. Motion Carried: AYES: NOES: ABSENT: 5-0-0 Christ, Hurley, McGuire, Rosenman, Voce None None 10. Receive & File. Staff Report dated November 13,1997 re: Response to Notice of Preparation of Draft Effi- Land Use Amendment to Southeast Area Development and Improvement Plan (SEADIP) Planned Development Zoning Ordinance PD-l - City of Long Beach Boardmember McGuire reiterated she wants the City to closely watch Long Beach. They piecemeal everything instead of looking at the big picture. She questioned again whether traffic from the Koll project was considered in their numbers. She would like a reminder about Koll, Bixby and Hellman. The Board indicated they would like additional consideration added regarding screen trees and aesthetics, particularly as this area is almost directly across from the Hellman wetland. Chairman Rosenman wants the document to include cumulative, immediate and long term traffic impacts. This should be addressed in the traffic concerns. The City is also concerned with impacts at College Park West, Studebaker and 7th Street. Boardmember Hurley indicated there was a typo at the top of biological "affects" should be "effects". Chairman Rosenman felt a new second paragraph should be added under noise regarding impacts it may have on wildlife in the proposed wetlands. Motion by McGuire; second by Christ to forward the comment letter to the City Council and authorize the Chairman to sign the letter, as amended (copy of final letter attached). Motion Carried: AYES: NOES: ABSENT: 5-0-0 Christ, Hurley, McGuire, Rosenman, Voce None None VI. Public Hearings -none VII. Scheduled Matters (Re-Ordered After Oral Communications) vm. Staff Concerns Mr. Curtis indicated the Board's next scheduled meeting is December 24th. He asked whether the Board wanted to reschedule or cancel this meeting. After discussion the Board determined to hold the meeting on December 10th to close out the past minutes. Page 4 Minutes of November 13, 1997 . I ... . . . EQCB Minutes of November 13, 1997 IX. Board Concerns Boardmember Hurley asked the status of several sets of past minutes. Mr. Curtis indicated they will be coming before the Board at its next meeting. Boardmember McGuire indicated a desire of the Board to take a proactive approach with the local schools regarding storm drains and other matters. The Board determined they would discuss this at a future meeting after the New Year. x. Adjournment The Board determined to continue to Wednesday, December 10, 1998 at 6:30 PM in the City Council Chambers. Adjourned at 8:48 PM. Respectfully Submitted, Barry Curtis, Secretary Environmental Quality Control Board Page 5 Minutes of November 13, 1997