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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2018-04-10 - RESOLUTIONS - LYONS AVE/DOCKWEILER DR EXTENSION PROJ (2) RESOLUTION NO. 18-10 A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF SANTA CLARITA, CALIFORNIA, CERTIFYING THE FINAL ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT REPORT (SCH NO. 2013082016) PREPARED FOR THE LYONS AVENUE/DOCKWEILER DRIVE EXTENSION PROJECT,ADOPTING THE MITIGATION MONITORING AND REPORTING PROGRAM, AND ADOPTING A STATEMENT OF OVERRIDING CONSIDERATIONS FOR THE ENVIRONMENTALLY SUPERIOR ALTERNATIVE PROJECT(ALIGNMENT TO ARCH STREET/13TH STREET) THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF SANTA CLARITA DOES HEREBY RESOLVE AS FOLLOWS: SECTION 1. FINDINGS OF FACT. The City Council does hereby make the following findings of fact: a. On June 25, 1991,the City Council adopted the City of Santa Clarita(City) General Plan by adoption of Resolution No. 91-98. On June 14, 2011, the City Council adopted an update to the City General Plan by adoption of Resolution No. 11-61. b. The Circulation Element of the General Plan and the Joint Highway Plan designate Dockweiler Drive as a secondary highway. c. The Circulation Element of the General Plan identifies future roadway improvements needed to implement the buildout of the Joint Highway Plan. Roadway improvements include constructing the Dockweiler Drive roadway segment, a four-lane secondary highway, from the existing terminus just east of Leonard Tree Lane,to Railroad Avenue and Lyons Avenue. The Joint Highway Plan refers to the Circulation Element in both the City's General Plan and Los Angeles County's (County) Santa Clarita Valley Area Plan. The City and the County worked together to develop one Highway Plan that was incorporated as the Circulation Element in each agency's respective General Plan/Area Plan. d. On January 13, 2009, a 0.64-mile segment of Dockweiler Drive was approved by the City Council as a part of The Master's University Master Plan project. The 0.64-mile segment of Dockweiler Drive includes extension of a four-lane roadway from the terminus of Dockweiler to the westerly property line of The Master's University. This segment of Dockweiler Drive has not been constructed. e. The City of Santa Clarita received$5,899,000 in Proposition C grant funding from the 2013 Metro Call for Projects and $5,475,000 in Proposition C grant funding from the 2015 Metro Call for Projects equaling $11,374,000 in grant funding for construction of the Lyons Avenue/Dockweiler Drive Extension project. f. On October 23, 2012, the City Council awarded a contract to Hall & Foreman and consultants (now David Evans and Associates Inc.)to complete the Environmental Impact Report(EIR) for the Lyons Avenue/Dockweiler Drive Extension project. g. The project consists of a 0.44-mile extension of Dockweiler Drive from the approved extension of Dockweiler Drive at The Master's University,to Railroad Avenue, at Lyons Avenue, along with a connection to Arch Street/13th Street. The project would consist of a four-lane roadway with a 12-foot raised landscaped median and a 13-foot sidewalk/parkway on each side. The typical right-of-way width would be 92 feet. The project would also include the closure of the at-grade rail crossing at 13th Street with required street improvements. h. The environmentally superior alternative project, as identified as Alternative 2 (Proposed Alignment to Arch Street/13th Street without the Lyons At-Grade Crossing), includes the construction of the proposed roadway alignment and associated infrastructure for Dockweiler Drive, which would extend Dockweiler Drive 0.67 miles from The Master's University to Arch Street/13th Street. The route would continue along Arch Street to 13th Street to link with Railroad Avenue. Unlike the Proposed Project, Alternative 2 does not include the roadway segment between the Dockweiler Drive extension and Lyons Avenue, which spans a portion of the Newhall Creek. Additionally, Alternative 2 proposes to maintain and improve the 13th Street at-grade rail crossing. The Alternative 2 project would require improvements to Arch Street and 13th Street to accommodate traffic from the extension of Dockweiler Drive to Arch Street. i. Surrounding land uses to the project site include vacant, industrial, and residential uses to the north and zoned Mixed Use Neighborhood(MXN); vacant, residential, and college uses to the east and zoned MXN and Public/Institutional (PI); the Newhall Creek to the south and zoned Specific Plan (SP); and Old Town Newhall to the west and zoned SP. Land use and zoning designations for the project site include MXN and PI. j. In accordance with the California Environmental Quality Act(CEQA), the City of Santa Clarita is the identified lead agency, with the City Council as the decision-making body for the Lyons Avenue/Dockweiler Drive Extension project. k. The City prepared an Initial Study for the project, which determined that the project may have a significant effect on the environment, and an EIR must be prepared. The Initial Study determined the following areas must be addressed in the EIR: aesthetics, air quality, biological resources, cultural resources, geology and soils, hydrology/water quality, land use/planning, noise, and transportation/traffic. 1. On August 5, 2013, a Notice of Preparation (NOP)was circulated to affected agencies,pursuant to CEQA statutes and the CEQA Guidelines (Title 14, Cal. Code of Regs. §§ 15000 et seq.).Numerous comments from agencies and the public were received over the 30-day review period, which ended on September 3, 2013. 2 Agencies that received the NOP include, but are not limited to,the State of California Public Utilities Commission, Metropolitan Transportation Authority, Southern California Regional Rail Authority, the County of Los Angeles, the California Regional Water Quality Control Board, Santa Monica Mountains Conservancy, South Coast Air Quality Management District, law enforcement agencies, school districts, waste haulers, water agencies, and transportation agencies serving the Santa.Clarita Valley, in accordance with CEQA's consultation requirements.Numerous comments from public agencies, organizations, and members of the public were received in response to the NOP. m. On August 21, 2013, a Scoping Meeting was held at City Hall, 23920 Valencia Boulevard, Santa Clarita, California,to obtain information from the public as to issues that should be addressed in the EIR. Notice of the Scoping Meeting was mailed to all property owners within 1,000 feet of the subject site and to all affected agencies. n. The City and the EIR consultant developed three project alternatives as part of preparing the Draft Environmental Impact Report(Draft EIR), including: 1)the No Project Alternative; 2) Alternative 1 (Proposed Alignment with the 13th Street Rail Crossing); and 3) Alternative 2 (Proposed Alignment to Arch Street without Lyons At-Grade Crossing). In addition,three other alternatives were considered, but rejected as infeasible because of the physical constraints associated with each of these alternatives. These other alternatives that were considered, but rejected from further study included: 1)the Market Street Alignment; 2)the Lyons Avenue Overpass; and 3)the Lyons Avenue Underpass. o. A Draft EIR for the project was prepared and circulated for review and comment by affected governmental agencies and the public and all issues raised in the NOP and by comments received on the NOP have been considered, in compliance with CEQA. The Notice of Availability/Notice of Completion for the Draft EIR was filed,posted, and advertised on August 16, 2017, and the public review period ran for 60 days, from August 16, 2017, through October 16, 2017, all in accordance with CEQA. All written comments received during the review period were accepted for inclusion in the Final EIR Responses to Comments. p. Two duly-noticed public outreach meetings were held on September 14, 2017, and September 28, 2017,to receive public comments on the Draft EIR. The public outreach meetings were advertised by mailing to all property owners within 1,000 feet of the project site,to commenting agencies on the NOP, and to neighboring homeowners' associations and property owners' associations. The meetings were held at The Master's University,North Campus, 24728 Quigley Canyon Road, Building #35, EHC Room 100, Santa Clarita, California, at 6:00 p.m. The following occurred at the public outreach meetings: 1. On September 14 and 28, 2017, City staff conducted public outreach meetings on the project. Staff provided a summary of the project description and the 3 Draft EIR and received public testimony regarding the project. Approximately 100 people attended each meeting. q. Following the public outreach meetings, the City prepared the Final EIR(February 2018; SCH No. 2013082016). The Final EIR contained copies of all written comment letters; responses to all written comments received on the Draft EIR. r. Notice of the Final EIR's availability was provided on February 14, 2018, to commenting agencies, organizations, and persons. s. The City Council held a duly noticed public hearing on the Lyons Avenue/Dockweiler Drive Extension project and Final EIR on February 27, 2018, at City Hall, 23920 Valencia Boulevard, Santa Clarita, California, at 6:00 p.m. At this meeting,the City Council received a presentation on the Lyons Avenue/Dockweiler Drive Extension project from staff and the environmental consultant, and received public testimony regarding the project. At the conclusion of the meeting,the City Council continued the public hearing to April 10, 2018. t. The City Council held a duly noticed public hearing on the Lyons Avenue/Dockweiler Drive Extension project and Final EIR on April 10, 2018, at City Hall, 23920 Valencia Boulevard, Santa Clarita, at 6:00 p.m. At this meeting, the City Council received a presentation on the Lyons Avenue/Dockweiler Drive Extension project from staff and the environmental consultant, and received public testimony regarding the project. At the conclusion of the hearing, the City Council closed the public hearing and adopted all of the necessary approval documents (resolutions, findings of fact, responses to comments, mitigation monitoring, reporting program, etc.) for certification of the Lyons Avenue/Dockweiler Drive Extension project Final EIR and for approval of the environmentally superior alternative alignment as analyzed in the Lyons Avenue/Dockweiler Drive Extension project. u. The Final EIR, incorporated herein by reference as Exhibit C, includes the Draft EIR, comments on the Draft EIR, responses to public testimony regarding issues raised at the public meetings and during the public comments period, and modifications to the Draft EIR text. The Final EIR also includes the Mitigation Monitoring and Reporting Program(MMRP), which is incorporated herein by reference as Exhibit B. The Draft EIR identifies various significant unavoidable impacts necessitating the adoption of a Statement of Overriding Considerations (SOC) in compliance with CEQA. v. The Final EIR,the MMRP, and a SOC for the Lyons Avenue/Dockweiler Drive Extension project have been prepared and circulated in compliance with CEQA. w. The City Council considered staff and consultant presentations, staff reports, information presented to the City Council to assist in its understanding of the project, the Draft EIR, public comments,public testimony, and the Final EIR at the public hearing for the project. 4 x. The location of the documents and other materials, which constitute the record of proceeding upon which the decision of the City Council is based, is the Lyons Avenue/Dockweiler Drive Extension project file, and is located within the Public Works Department, and is in the custody of the Director of Public Works. SECTION 2. CEQA REQUIREMENTS. The City Council of the City of Santa Clarita does hereby make the following findings of fact: a. The California Environmental Quality Act(CEQA; Public Resources Code § 21000 et seq.)provides that"public agencies should not approve projects as proposed if there are feasible alternatives or feasible mitigation measures available which would substantially lessen the significant environmental effects of such projects[.]" (Pub. Resources Code § 21002; emphasis added). The procedures required by CEQA"are intended to assist public agencies in systematically identifying both the significant effects of proposed projects and the feasible alternatives or feasible mitigation measures which will avoid or substantially lessen such significant effects." (Ibid.); b. CEQA also provides that"in the event [that] specific economic, social, or other conditions make infeasible such project alternatives or such mitigation measures, individual projects may be approved in spite of one or more significant effects (Pub. Resources Code § 21002). CEQA provides that a public agency has an obligation to balance a variety of public objectives, including economic, environmental, and social factors and in particular the goal of providing a decent home and satisfying living environment for every Californian(Pub. Resources Code § 21081; Cal. Code Regs., tit. 14, §15021(d)). CEQA requires decision-makers to balance the benefits of a proposed project against its significant unavoidable adverse environmental impacts, and, if the benefits of a proposed project outweigh the significant unavoidable adverse environmental impacts,the unavoidable adverse environmental impacts may be considered"acceptable"by adopting a"Statement of Overriding Considerations" (Cal. Code Regs.,tit. 14, §15093). The Statement of Overriding Considerations must set forth the project benefits or reasons why the lead agency is in favor of approving the project and must weigh these benefits against the project's adverse environmental impacts identified in the Final EIR that cannot be mitigated to a less-than-significant level; c. CEQA's mandates and principles are implemented, in part, through the requirement that agencies adopt findings before approving projects for which EIRs are required. For each significant environmental effect identified in an EIR for a proposed project, the approving agency must issue a written finding reaching one or more of three permissible conclusions: 1. that"[c]hanges 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; 2. [s]uch changes or alterations are within the responsibility and jurisdiction of 5 another public agency or can and should be adopted by such other agency; or 3. [s]pecific 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." (Cal. Code Regs., tit. 14, §15091.) CEQA defines "feasible"to mean"capable of being accomplished in a successful manner within a reasonable period of time, taking into account economic, environmental, social, legal, and technological factors" (Pub. Resources Code, §21061.1; Cal. Code Regs., tit. 14, §15364); d. The concept of"feasibility" also encompasses the question of whether a particular alternative promotes the underlying goals and objectives of a project. "Feasibility under CEQA, then, encompasses "desirability"to the extent that desirability is based on a reasonable balancing of the relevant economic, environmental, social, and technological factors; e. CEQA requires that the lead agency exercise its independent judgment in reviewing the adequacy of an EIR and that the decision of a lead agency in certifying a Final EIR and approving a project not be predetermined. The City Council has conducted its own review and analysis, and is exercising its independent judgment when acting as herein provided; f. CEQA requires decision-makers to adopt a MMRP for those mitigation measures identified in the Final EIR that would mitigate or avoid each significant impact identified in the EIR and to incorporate the MMRP, including all mitigation measures, as a condition of project approval; g. CEQA requires that the responses to comments in the Final EIR demonstrate good faith and a well-reasoned analysis, and not be overly conclusory. In response to several of the comments received, portions of the Draft EIR have been revised. Although new material has been added to the Draft EIR through preparation of the Final EIR,this new material provides clarification to points and information already included in the Draft EIR and is not considered to be significant new information or a substantial change to the Draft EIR or to the project that would necessitate recirculation; and h. State CEQA Guidelines section 15003(c) and (i)note that state courts have held that the purpose of an EIR is to inform other governmental agencies and the public generally of the environmental impacts of a proposed project. CEQA does not require technical perfection or exhaustive treatment of issues in EIR, but rather adequacy, completeness, and a good-faith effort at full disclosure. SECTION 3. CEQA FINDINGS. The City Council does hereby find that: a. The Final EIR for the Lyons Avenue/Dockweiler Drive Extension project has been prepared in compliance with CEQA, has been reviewed and considered by the City 6 Council, and reflects the independent judgment of the City Council. b. The Final EIR for the Lyons Avenue/Dockweiler Drive Extension project, which consists of the Draft EIR(August 2017) and Final EIR(February 2018), identifies and discloses project-specific impacts and cumulative project impacts attributable to the project. Environmental impacts identified in the Final EIR, findings, and facts in support of findings are herein incorporated by reference as "Statement of Facts and Findings and Statement of Overriding Considerations Regarding Environmental Effects for the Lyons Avenue/Dockweiler Drive Extension Project,"referred to as Exhibit A, and identified as follows: 1. The Final EIR identifies significant unavoidable adverse impacts of the project, as set forth in Section 5.3 of Exhibit A. Changes or alterations have been required in, or incorporated into,the project that will avoid or lessen certain impacts of the project, but that will not avoid or reduce all of the potential impacts to a less-than- significant level. These remaining significant impacts are balanced against project benefits and are found to be overridden by the project benefits, as stated in the SOC in Section 6, below. 2. The Final EIR also identifies significant, but mitigated impacts, as set forth in Section 5.2 of Exhibit A. Changes or alterations have been required in, or incorporated into,the project that will avoid or reduce these potential impacts to a less-than-significant level. 3. The Final EIR identifies less than significant impacts, as set forth in Section 5.1 of Exhibit A. 4. As issues that are noted in Section 3 (b)(3), above, have no significant environmental impacts and require no mitigation, those issues also will have no contribution to cumulative impacts. 5. The MMRP, incorporated herein by reference as Exhibit B, is required to mitigate project impacts. SECTION 4. CONSIDERATION OF A REASONABLE RANGE OF ALTERNATIVES. Based upon the above recitals and the entire record, including the Lyons Avenue/Dockweiler Drive Extension Final EIR, oral and written testimony and other evidence received at the public hearing held on the Lyons Avenue/Dockweiler Drive Extension project and the Final EIR and otherwise, upon studies and investigation made by the City Council, and upon reports and other transmittals from City staff to the City Council,the City Council further finds the Final EIR analyzes a reasonable range of project alternatives that would feasibly attain most of the basic objectives of the Lyons Avenue/Dockweiler Drive Extension project and would lessen any of the significant impacts of the project, and adequately evaluates the comparative merits of each alternative. 7 a. The objectives of the Lyons Avenue/Dockweiler Drive Extension project are specified in the Final EIR and Section 2.2 of Exhibit A. These objectives are used as the basis for comparing the project alternatives and determining the extent the objectives would be achieved relative to the proposed project. Only those impacts found significant and unavoidable are relevant in making the final determination of whether an alternative is environmentally superior or inferior to the proposed project. The proposed project would result in significant and unavoidable impacts in two environmental issue areas: 1. Air Quality- short-term construction impacts (PM10, and PM2.5 emissions). 2. Noise - short-term construction impacts. b. Alternatives Considered But RejectedFrom Further Study. Alternatives that were evaluated, but dismissed from further study due to their infeasibility and/or the potential to result in increased environmental impacts included: 1) the Lyons Avenue Overpass Extension to Dockweiler Drive; 2)the Lyons Avenue Underpass Extension to Dockweiler Drive; and 3) and an alternative alignment that connects Dockweiler Drive to Market Street. c. No Project Alternative. This alternative is required by the State CEQA Guidelines and compares the impacts that might occur if the site is left in its present condition with those that would be generated by the proposed project. Under this alternative, the extension of Lyons Avenue and Dockweiler Drive from Railroad Avenue to The Master's University property, would not occur and the proposed project would not be constructed. The No Project Alternative would avoid the significant and unavoidable impacts identified in the Final EIR and all other identified significant impacts and; therefore, is considered environmentally superior. This alternative would not attain the basic objectives of the project. The No Project Alternative would not close a gap segment in the City's planned roadway system, thus, not implement a goal of the General Plan Circulation Element. The No Project Alternative would not improve the roadway level of service. Furthermore, this alternative would not provide improved local access to residential and commercial areas within the City. This alternative is infeasible, because it would not attain the basic project objectives and would not provide any of the project benefits. d. Alternative 1 —Proposed Alignment with the 13th Street Rail Crossing. Similar to the project, Alternative 1 would include construction of the proposed roadway alignment and associated infrastructure, which include a new at-grade rail crossing and a secondary east-west arterial roadway connecting Lyons Avenue to the approved Dockweiler Drive extension. Alternative 1 differs from the proposed project by leaving the existing at-grade rail crossing at the intersection of 13th Street and Railroad Avenue as is, instead of removing the crossing. 8 This alternative would result in similar impacts to those of the proposed project and would not result in reduced environmental impacts. This alternative would not fully meet the following project objective, which is defined in Section 2.2 of Exhibit A: Provide a safe and efficient at-grade rail crossing that meets the standards of the California Public Utilities Commission. Therefore, this alternative is infeasible because it would not fully satisfy project objectives, and would not provide all of the project benefits. e. Alternative 2—Proposed Alignment to Arch Street/13th Street without the Lyons At- Grade Crossing. Similar to the proposed project, Alternative 2 would include the construction of the proposed roadway alignment and associated infrastructure for Dockweiler Drive, which would extend Dockweiler Drive from the approved portion of Dockweiler Drive at The Master's University, to Arch Street. The route would continue along Arch Street to 13th Street to link the Railroad Avenue. Unlike the proposed project, Alternative 2 does not include the roadway segment or new at- grade rail crossing between the Dockweiler extension and Lyons Avenue, which spans a portion of the Newhall Creek. Additionally, Alternative 2 proposes to maintain and improve the 13th Street at-grade rail crossing. The Alternative 2 Project would require improvements to Arch Street and 13th Street to accommodate traffic from the extension of Dockweiler Drive to Arch Street. This alternative would result in slightly reduced impacts than the project in six categories and similar impacts in three categories. In general, this alternative is considered the environmentally superior alternative for purposes of CEQA. This alternative would meet the project objectives and provide the project benefits. f. Environmentally Superior Alternative. The determination of an environmentally superior alternative is based on the consideration of how the alternative fulfills the project objectives and how the alternative either reduces significant, unavoidable impacts or substantially reduces the impacts to the surrounding environment. CEQA Guidelines Section 15126.6 indicates that if the No Project Alternative is the environmentally superior alternative, then the EIR shall also identify an environmentally superior alternative among the other alternatives. In consideration of these factors, Alternative 2,the proposed alignment to Arch Street/13th Street without the Lyons At-Grade Crossing would have the least impact overall, resulting in slightly reduced impacts to aesthetics, biological resources, cultural resources, geology/soils, hydrology/water quality, and traffic. Short-term construction impacts to air quality and noise would be similar to those of the project. This alternative would satisfy the project objectives and would provide the project benefits. SECTION 5. FINDINGS FOR CERTIFICATION OF THE FINAL EIR. Based upon the above recitals and the entire record, including, without limitation, the Lyons 9 Avenue/Dockweiler Drive Extension Final EIR, oral and written testimony and other evidence received, at the public hearing held on the Lyons Avenue/Dockweiler Drive Extension project and the Lyons Avenue/Dockweiler Drive Extension Final EIR, upon studies and investigation made by the City Council, and upon reports and other transmittals from City staff to the City Council, the City Council finds the following: a. That the Final EIR for the Lyons Avenue/Dockweiler Drive Extension project is adequate, complete, and has been prepared in accordance with the California Environmental Quality Act(CEQA). b. That the City Council has independently reviewed and considered the Final EIR in reaching its conclusions. c. That the environmentally superior alternative, as determined by the Final EIR, is Alternative 2, Proposed Alignment to Arch Street/13th Street without the Lyons At- Grade Rail Crossing. d. That the Final EIR was presented and reviewed prior to taking final action to recommend certification of the Final EIR and approval of the environmentally superior alternative alignment for the Lyons Avenue/Dockweiler Drive Extension project. e. That, in accordance with State CEQA Guidelines Sections 15091 and 15093, the Final EIR includes a description of each potentially significant impact and rationale for finding that changes or alterations have been required in, or incorporated into, the project which avoid or substantially lessen the significant environmental effect, as detailed in Exhibit A, incorporated herein by this reference. The analyses included in the Final EIR to support each conclusion and recommendation therein is hereby incorporated into these findings. f. That, in accordance with the Public Resources Code Section 21081, modifications have occurred to the project to reduce significant effects. • g. That, in accordance with Public Resources Code Section 21081 and CEQA Guidelines Section 15091, changes and alterations have been required and incorporated into the project, as identified in the environmentally superior alternative alignment for the Lyons Avenue/Dockweiler Drive Extension project that avoid or substantially lessen its significant environmental effects because feasible mitigation measures, including those in the MMRP, are made conditions of approval for the project. h. The Statement of Overriding Considerations identifies and weighs the revised project's significant impacts that cannot be mitigated to a level below significant against the community benefits from this revised project, and concludes based on substantial evidence in the record that the revised project's benefits outweigh its unavoidable significant impacts. 10 i. That the Final EIR reflects the decision-maker's independent judgment and analysis. j. That a MMRP has been prepared and is adopted to enforce the mitigation measures required by the Final EIR and project approvals. k. The documents and other materials which constitute the record of proceedings on which this decision is based are under the custody of the City Clerk and are located at the City of Santa Clarita, Public Works Department, 23920 Valencia Boulevard, Suite 300, Santa Clarita, California 91355. SECTION 6. STATEMENT OF OVERRIDING CONSIDERATIONS. Based upon the above recitals and the entire record, including the Lyons Avenue/Dockweiler Drive Extension Final EIR, oral and written testimony and other evidence,received at the public hearings held on the Lyons Avenue/Dockweiler Drive Extension project and the Lyons Avenue/Dockweiler Drive Extension Final EIR and otherwise, upon studies and investigation made by the City Council, and upon reports and other transmittals from City staff to the City Council, the City Council finds there is substantial evidence that supports the conclusion that the environmentally superior alternative alignment project(Alternative 2, Proposed Alignment to Arch Street/13th Street without the Lyons At-Grade Rail Crossing) will result in community benefits, including specific ecological, economic, legal, social, technical, and other benefits, that outweigh the significant effects of the project on the environment that cannot be mitigated to a level less than significant. a. Significant unavoidable impacts include the following, as further described in Exhibit A, and incorporated herein by this reference: 1. Air Quality- short-term construction impacts (PM10, and PM2.5 emissions). 2. Noise - short-term construction impacts. b. The benefits of the environmentally superior alternative alignment project (Alternative 2, Proposed Alignment to Arch Street/13th Street without the Lyons At- Grade Rail Crossing) outweigh its significant unavoidable impacts that cannot be mitigated to a level less than significant. These benefits include the following: 1. The project will implement goals of the Circulation Element of the City General Plan by providing for an improved circulation network, consisting of connectivity between Sierra Highway and Railroad Avenue. 2. Provide greater connectivity between Old Town Newhall,Placenta Canyon, The Master's University, and residences along Dockweiler Drive. 3. Improve roadway level of service and the circulation network. 4. Provide an additional emergency access roadway for Placenta Canyon residents. 11 5. Provide a safe and efficient at-grade rail crossing that meets the standards of the California Public Utilities Commission(CPUC). 6. Provide sufficient information for an application to the CPUC for applicable rail crossing improvements. 7. Improve pedestrian and vehicle railroad safety by improving an existing substandard at-grade rail crossing at 13th Street. 8. Reduce vehicle miles travelled by creating a more direct route for motorists. SECTION 7. The City Council has reviewed and considered the environmental information contained in the Final EIR SCH No. 2013082016 and Statement of Facts and Findings and Statement of Overriding Considerations Regarding Environmental Effects for the Lyons Avenue/Dockweiler Drive Extension Project(Exhibit A), and hereby determines that it is • adequate and in compliance with the California Environmental Quality Act(CEQA). In compliance with Public Resources Code Section 12081 and CEQA Guidelines Section 15093, the City Council has considered the project benefits as balanced against its unavoidable adverse environmental effects, and hereby determines the benefits outweigh the unavoidable adverse environmental effects; therefore, the City Council determines the unavoidable adverse environmental effects are considered acceptable. The City Council hereby certifies the Final EIR and associated documents, and adopts the MMRP (Exhibit B) and Statement of Overriding Considerations. SECTION 8. By the adoption of this Resolution, the City Council has not granted any approval of entitlement on this project. SECTION 9. The City Clerk shall certify to the adoption of this Resolution and certify this record to be a full, complete, and correct copy of the action taken. PASSED, APPROVED AND ADOPTED this 10th day of April, 2018. MAY•R PRO TEM ATTEST: (� i.,(i)(eLi CITY CLERK DATE: 67/0//F 12 STATE OF CALIFORNIA ) COUNTY OF LOS ANGELES ) ss. CITY OF SANTA CLARITA ) I, Mary Cusick, City Clerk of the City of Santa Clarita, do hereby certify that the foregoing Resolution No. 18-10 was regularly introduced and passed at a regular meeting of the City Council on the 10th day of April, 2018, by the following vote: AYES: COUNCILMEMBERS: Miranda,Kellar, McLean NOES: COUNCILMEMBERS: Smyth RECUSE: COUNCILMENBERS: Weste ABSENT: COUNCILMEMBERS: None (_Niak.S\,0 CITY CLERK 13 CITY COUNCIL RESOLUTION NO. 18-10 EXHIBIT B MITIGATION MONITORING AND REPORTING PROGRAM _ t �� o = • a° � `° . o 0 I o 0 . 0. T.', 2 ' g ,,,t. vpp"C O _ ~ V a w = =H 9 . O bA CM "0 0 .b C L C a) � O , 0 U .0V40 C U O. = U .O 0 LS 0 i O N S- a� "-� p 0 5 0 ai,x a .5 -to U O1a..-5 'Co Of 61) , I O= = O = t{! tet"' U o O '- . 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N i 5 ,i v7 CITY COUNCIL RESOLUTION NO. 18-10 EXHIBIT A STATEMENT OF FACTS AND FINDINGS AND STATEMENT OF OVERRIDING CONSIDERATIONS REGARDING THE ENVIRONMENTAL EFFECTS FOR THE LYONS AVENUE/DOCKWEILER DRIVE EXTENSION PROJECT SCH NO.2013082016 Lead Agency: CITY OF SANTA CLARITA 23920 Valencia Boulevard, Suite 302 Santa Clarita,CA 91355 Statement of Facts and Findings and Statement of Overriding Considerations for the Lyons Avenue/Dockweiler Drive Extension Project Final Environmental Impact Report TABLE OF CONTENTS 1.0 STATEMENT OF FACTS AND FINDINGS 1 1.1 Introduction 1 2.0 PROJECT SUMMARY 2 2.1 Description of Lyons Avenue/Dockweiler Drive Extension Project 2 2.2 Statement of Objectives 3 2.3 Alternative 2 Project Summary 4 3.0 ENVIRONMENTAL REVIEW/PUBLIC PARTICIPATION 5 4.0 INDEPENDENT JUDGMENT AND FINDING 6 5.0 ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACTS AND FINDINGS 7 5.1 Effects Determined To Be Less Than Significant Without Mitigation in the EIR 7 5.2 Effects Determined To Be Mitigated to Less Than Significant Levels 10 5.3 Environmental Effects Which Remain Significant and Unavoidable After Mitigation and Findings 19 5.4 Alternatives to the Proposed Project 21 6.0 CERTIFICATION OF THE FINAL EIR 23 6.1 Findings 23 6.2 Conclusions 24 7.0 STATEMENT OF OVERRIDING CONSIDERATIONS 24 7.1 Introduction 24 7.2 Significant Unavoidable Impacts 25 7.3 Overriding Considerations 25 8.0 STATEMENT OF LOCATION AND CUSTODIAN OF DOCUMENTS 27 February 2018 Statement of Facts and Findings and Statement of Overriding Considerations for the Lyons Avenue/Dockweiler Drive Extension Project Final Environmental Impact Report 1.0 STATEMENT OF FACTS AND FINDINGS 1.1 INTRODUCTION The California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) requires that a Lead Agency issue two sets of findings prior to approving a project that would generate a significant impact on the environment. The Statement of Facts and Findings is the first set of findings where the Lead Agency identifies the significant impacts, presents facts supporting the conclusions reached in the analysis,makes one or more of three potential findings for each impact, and explains the reasoning behind the agency's findings. The following statement of facts and findings has been prepared in accordance with the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) and Public Resources Code Section 21081. CEQA Guidelines Section 15091 (a)provides that: No public agency shall approve or carry out a project for which an EIR has been certified which identifies one or more significant environmental effects of the project unless the public agency makes one or more written findings for each of those significant effects, accompanied by a brief explanation of the rationale for each finding. The three finding categories available for the Statement of Facts and Findings pursuant to CEQA Guidelines Section 15091. 1. 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. 2. 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. 3. 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. The Statement of Overriding Considerations is the second set of findings. Where a project would cause unavoidable significant impacts, the Lead Agency may still approve the project where its benefits outweigh the adverse impacts. Further, as provided in the Statement of Overriding Considerations, the Lead Agency sets forth specific reasoning by which benefits are balanced against effects, and approves the project.These findings in the Statement of Overriding Considerations are presented in Section 7.0. The City of Santa Clarita (City), the CEQA Lead Agency, finds and declares that the Lyons Avenue/Dockweiler Drive Extension Project Final Environmental Impact Report (EIR) has been completed in compliance with CEQA and the CEQA Guidelines. The City Council finds and certifies that the EIR was reviewed and information contained in the EIR was considered prior to approving the Lyons Avenue/Dockweiler Drive Extension Project. Based upon its review of the EIR, the City Council finds that the EIR is an adequate assessment of the potentially significant environmental impacts of the project, represents the independent judgment of the City, and sets forth an adequate range of alternatives to this project. February 2018 1 Statement of Facts and Findings and Statement of Overriding Considerations for the Lyons Avenue/Dockweiler Drive Extension Project Final Environmental Impact Report The Final EIR(February 2018) is composed of the following elements: • Lyons Avenue/Dockweiler Drive Extension Project Draft Environmental Impact Report (dated August 2017) • Final EIR(February 2018) • Draft EIR Technical Appendices • Mitigation Monitoring and Reporting Program • A list of persons commenting on the Draft EIR, Comments, and Responses 2.0 PROJECT SUMMARY 2.1 DESCRIPTION OF THE LYONS AVENUE/DOCKWEILER DRIVE EXTENSION PROJECT DESCRIPTION OF PROJECT The proposed Lyons Avenue/Dockweiler Drive Extension Project is a multi-phased capital improvement project being coordinated by the City of Santa Clarita and The Master's University to improve circulation and access to the Placerita Canyon and Newhall Communities. The proposed connection and extension of Lyons Avenue to Dockweiler Drive is identified in the Circulation Element of the City's General Plan as one of the primary east-west arterials through the City of Santa Clarita that would provide a through connection from Sierra Highway to Railroad Avenue. The Lyons Avenue/Dockweiler Drive Extension Project would extend Lyons Avenue from its existing terminus at Railroad Avenue, eastward to Dockweiler Drive to provide a T-intersection, and would extend northwest to connect with the intersection of Arch Street and 12th Street and southeast towards the General Plan alignment for Dockweiler Drive at The Master's University. The Lyons Avenue/Dockweiler Drive Extension Project also includes the closure of an at-grade railroad crossing at the intersection of 13t Street and Railroad Avenue and the addition of a new at-grade railroad crossing at the intersection of Railroad Avenue and the proposed Lyons Avenue intersection. The Lyons Avenue/Dockweiler Drive extension would extend to the approved alignment of Dockweiler Drive at The Master's University campus. In coordination with the proposed Railroad Bike Path project, the new Dockweiler Drive extension will result in creating a vital Complete Street link between the communities to the east of the railroad/Newhall Creek (including The Master's University) and Old Town Newhall and Metrolink station. A detailed description of the Lyons Avenue/Dockweiler Drive Extension Project including specific street improvements is presented in Section 2 Project Description of the Draft EIR. AGREEMENTS,PERMITS,AND APPROVALS Under CEQA, the public agency that has the principal responsibility for carrying out or approving a proposed project is referred to as the "Lead Agency" (State CEQA Guidelines Section 15367). For purposes of the Dockweiler Drive Alignment Project, the City of Santa Clarita is identified as both the project proponent("Applicant")and Lead Agency. February 2018 2 Statement of Facts and Findings and Statement of Overriding Considerations for the Lyons Avenue/Dockweiler Drive Extension Project Final Environmental Impact Report The Lyons Avenue/Dockweiler Drive Extension Project would be part of the City's Capital Improvement Program. The City Council is the City's decision-making body and is responsible for approving projects to be built within City limits. Prior to approving the Proposed Project, the City Council must certify that (1) this EIR has been reviewed and considered; (2) the EIR has adequately analyzed the potential impacts of the proposed project; (3) it has been completed in compliance with CEQA, the State CEQA Guidelines, and the City's Environmental Guidelines; and (4) it reflects the independent judgment of the City Council. The Lyons Avenue/Dockweiler Drive Extension Project would also require the approval of an Oak Tree Permit and Hillside Review Permit at such time as development occurs or when funding of roadway construction becomes available. In order to allow for the proposed development to occur, the Proposed Project would require an Oak Tree Permit and a Hillside Review Permit. Depending on the approval of the Lyons Avenue/Dockweiler Drive Extension Project or one of the Project Alternatives evaluated within the scope of the EIR, the oak tree permit would be required to determine the oak tree impacts at the time of project development. The Hillside Review Permit would permit the grading necessary to construct the roadway. These entitlements will be obtained at such time as the proposed alignment is approved and roadway funding is available to implement the Project. Because it is not known at this time when the project would be funded or built and permits expire after two years, it was determined to be more cost effective to wait until such time as construction of the roadway is imminent to secure permits for the project. Additional ministerial actions, such as grading permits, would be required by the City prior to actual grading and construction of the proposed roadway extension. 2.2 STATEMENT OF OBJECTIVES The purpose of the Lyons Avenue/Dockweiler Drive Extension Project is to achieve California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC) approval of an at-grade rail crossing at the current terminus of Lyons Avenue and the Southern Pacific Railroad line and extend a through roadway connection from Lyons Avenue to Dockweiler Drive. The Applicant's stated objectives for the proposed project are as follows: • Implementation of the goals of the Circulation Element of the Santa Clarita General Plan, including the crossing at Lyons Avenue and the extension of Lyons Avenue/Dockweiler Drive; • Improve roadway level of service and circulation network; • Provide a safe and efficient at-grade rail crossing that meets the standards of the California Public Utilities Commission(CPUC); • Provide sufficient information for CPUC application and approval of the proposed crossing; • Improve pedestrian and vehicle railroad safety by eliminating an existing substandard at-grade rail crossing at 13th Street and replacing it with a more advanced and enhanced at-grade rail crossing at Lyons Avenue; • Reduce vehicle miles traveled by creating a more direct route for motorists, eliminating circuitous driving patterns. • Provide greater connectivity between Old Town Newhall, Placerita Canyon, The Master's University and the residents that live along Dockweiler Drive; • Provide an economic stimulus to Old Town Newhall with enhanced connectivity to the Old Town Newhall area; • Provide an enhanced gateway to Placerita Canyon; and • Provide an additional emergency access roadway for Placerita Canyon residents. February 2018 3 Statement of Facts and Findings and Statement of Overriding Considerations for the Lyons Avenue/Dockweiler Drive Extension Project Final Environmental Impact Report 2.3 ALTERNATIVE 2 PROJECT SUMMARY As mandated by CEQA, the EIR evaluated a reasonable range of project alternatives that would be capable of reducing or avoiding the project's significant impacts. The alternatives evaluated in the EIR include: (a)No Project Alternative, (b)Alternative 1 (the proposed alignment with improvements at 13th Street rail crossing), and(c)Alternative 2 (proposed alignment to Arch Street without a grade crossing at Lyons Avenue). Other alternatives that were evaluated but dismissed from further study due to their infeasibility and/or the potential to result in increased environmental impacts included an overpass and/or underpass on Lyons Avenue beneath/over Railroad Avenue and an alternative alignment that connects Dockweiler Drive to Market Street. Among the alternatives evaluated, Alternative 2 was identified as the environmentally superior alternative due to its ability to further reduce or lessen project impacts with respect to aesthetics, biological resources, cultural resources, geology/soils, hydrology/water quality, and traffic. The significant unavoidable temporary impacts associated with localized air quality emissions and noise during construction would still occur under this alternative. The Alternative 2 project would involve the development of the proposed roadway alignment and associated infrastructure for Dockweiler Drive, which would extend Dockweiler Drive to Arch Street. The route would continue along Arch Street to 13th Street to link with Railroad Avenue ("Alternative 2 project"). Unlike the Lyons Avenue/Dockweiler Drive Extension Project, the Alternative 2 project does not include the roadway segment between the Dockweiler extension and Lyons Avenue, which spans a portion of the Newhall Creek. Additionally, Alternative 2 proposes to maintain and improve the 13th Street rail crossing. The existing westbound travel lanes on 13th Street approaching Railroad Avenue would be improved with two westbound lanes and a median, with one dedicated left turn lane, one shared through lane and left turn lane, and one dedicated right turn lane. The eastbound traffic lanes on 13th Street would be improved to provide two through travel lanes. The existing median nose on Railroad Avenue would be removed to reconfigure the four southbound lanes to provide two protected left turn lanes, one dedicated through lane and one shared right turn lane and through lane. The northbound lanes on Railroad Avenue would provide two through lanes,one protected left turn lane and one protected right turn lane. Similar to the Lyons Avenue/Dockweiler Drive Extension Project, the intersection of Arch Street, 12th Street, Placerita Canyon and Dockweiler Drive would be improved with one of three intersection design configurations. The Alternative 2 Project would require improvements to Arch Street and 13th Street to accommodate traffic from the extension of Dockweiler Drive to Arch Street. Roadway improvements would require increasing the width of Arch Street. and 13th Street, which would affect several surrounding properties. The portion of the Project Site to the east of the intersection of Railroad Avenue and 13th Street is bounded by one-story commercial buildings to the west, across Railroad Avenue, industrial and commercial uses to the east, undeveloped land to the north and Newhall Creek to the south. Properties to the north of the Project Site at 13th Street and Railroad Avenue are zoned MX-N with a General Plan land use designation of Mixed Use Neighborhood. Properties to the south of this portion of the Project Site are zoned SP with a General Plan land use designation of Specific Plan. Properties to the east of this portion of the Project Site are zoned UR1, UR3 and PI, with a General Plan land use designation of Urban Residential One, Urban Residential Three and Public Institutional, respectively. Properties to the west, across Railroad Avenue are zoned SP with a General Plan land use designation of Specific Plan. February 2018 4 Statement of Facts and Findings and Statement of Overriding Considerations for the Lyons Avenue/Dockweiler Drive Extension Project Final Environmental Impact Report 3.0 ENVIRONMENTAL REVIEW/ PUBLIC PARTICIPATION Preliminary environmental review of the Lyons Avenue/Dockweiler Drive Extension Project was conducted by the City's Public Works Department. In the initial Notice of Preparation (NOP),the City determined that the proposed project may have potentially significant effects on several environmental impact categories, including: aesthetics, air quality; biological resources; cultural resources; geology and soils; hydrology and water quality; land use; noise; and transportation and traffic. The NOP was circulated for a 30-day review period from August 5, 2013 to September 3, 2013. The NOP was circulated pursuant to the requirements of the State CEQA Guidelines in order to solicit input from responsible and interested public agencies and the community regarding the content of the EIR. In addition, to facilitate local participation, the City held a Scoping Meeting on the project and solicited suggestions from the public and other agencies on the scope and content of this Draft EIR. The meeting took place at City Hall, 23920 Valencia Boulevard, Santa Clarita, California, on August 21, 2013. In response to the NOP and Scoping Meeting, comment letters and other input received from interested agencies, organizations, and others, copies of which are presented in Appendix A to the Draft ER, the following topics were evaluated in the EIR: 1. Aesthetics 6. Hydrology and Water Quality 2. Air Quality 7. Land Use and Planning 3. Biological Resources 8. Noise 4. Cultural Resources 9. Transportation and Traffic 5. Geology and Soils The City prepared the Environmental Impact Report (EIR) in accordance with CEQA and the State CEQA Guidelines. The EIR is a full-disclosure informational document which informs public agency decision-makers and the public of the significant environmental effects of the project. Possible ways to minimize significant effects are identified in the EIR and reasonable alternatives to the project are evaluated. The EIR is intended as a"project EIR"under CEQA and the State CEQA Guidelines. A project EIR is typically prepared for a specific construction-level project(See State CEQA Guidelines §15161).Under CEQA, a project EIR"should focus primarily on the changes in the environment that would result from the development project . . . [and] examine all phases of the project including planning, construction, and operation." (Ibid.) The Draft EIR (August 2017) was made available to the public for review and comment for a 60-day period. The review and comment period began on August 16, 2017 and concluded on October 16,2017. Two duly-noticed public outreach meetings were held on September 14, 2017 and September 28, 2017, to receive public comments on the Draft EIR. The meetings were held at The Master's University, North Campus, 24728 Quigley Canyon Road, Building#35, EHC Room 100, Santa Clarita, California at 6:00 p.m. Responses to all comments included in the Final EIR(February 2018) were distributed by the City on February 14, 2018. In accordance with CEQA and Public Resources Code Section 21092.5, the City provided written responses to the public and public agencies that commented on the Draft EIR at least 10 days prior to the February 27, 2018, City Council hearing. The City Council held a duly- February 2018 5 Statement of Facts and Findings and Statement of Overriding Considerations for the Lyons Avenue/Dockweiler Drive Extension Project Final Environmental Impact Report noticed public hearing on the Project and Final EIR on February 27, 2018. The hearing was held at City Hall,23920 Valencia Boulevard, Santa Clarita, California. Copies of the Draft EIR(August 2017) were available for public review at the following locations: (a) City of Santa Clarita City Hall, City Clerk's Office, 23920 Valencia Boulevard, Suite 120, Santa Clarita, California 91355; (b) Santa Clarita Library,Valencia Branch,23743 Valencia Boulevard, Santa Clarita, California 91355; (c) Santa Clarita Library, Old Town Newhall Branch, 24500 Main Street, Santa Clarita, California 91321; and(d)www.santa-clarita.com/DockweilerElR. All comment letters, including late comment letters, received in response to the Draft EIR were reviewed and are included in the Final EIR, along with written responses to each of the comments. In accordance with State CEQA Guidelines section 15132, the Final EIR for the project consists of: (i)the Draft EIR; (ii) executive summary (iii) additions and corrections to the Draft EIR; (iv) a list of the persons, organizations, and public agencies commenting on the Draft EIR and written responses to significant environmental issues raised during the public review and comment period and related supporting materials; and, (v)mitigation monitoring program. 4.0 INDEPENDENT JUDGMENT AND FINDING The City solicited proposals from independent consultants to prepare the Lyons Avenue/Dockweiler Drive Extension Project and EIR. Subsequently, the City selected and retained Hall & Foreman and consultants (now David Evans and Associates) to prepare the Lyons Avenue/Dockweiler Drive Extension Project EIR. David Evans and Associates prepared the EIR under the supervision and direction of the City of Santa Clarita staff. All findings set forth herein are based on substantial evidence in the record as indicated with respect to each specific finding. FINDING: The EIR for the project reflects the City's independent judgment. The City has exerciseded independent judgment in accordance with Public Resources Code Section 21082.1(c)(3) in retaining its own environmental consultant, and directing the consultant in the preparation of the EIR. The City has independently reviewed and analyzed the EIR and accompanying studies and finds that the report reflects the independent judgment of the City. The City Council has considered all the evidence presented in its consideration of the project and the EIR, including, but not limited to, the Final EIR and its supporting studies, written and oral evidence presented at hearings on the project, and written evidence submitted to the City by individuals, organizations, regulatory agencies, and other entities. On the basis of such evidence the City Council finds that with respect to each environmental impact identified in the review process the impact (1) is less than significant and would not require mitigation; or (2) is potentially significant but would be avoided or reduced to a less than significant level by implementation of identified mitigation measures; or(3)would be significant and not fully mitigatible but would be,to the extent feasible, lessened by implementation of identified mitigation measures. The Final EIR identifies certain significant adverse environmental effects of the project which cannot be avoided or substantially lessened. Prior to approving this project, the City Council will adopt a Statement of Overriding Considerations which finds, based on specific reasons and February 2018 6 Statement of Facts and Findings and Statement of Overriding Considerations for the Lyons Avenue/Dockweiler Drive Extension Project Final Environmental Impact Report substantial evidence in the record (as specified in Section 7.0), that certain identified economic, social, or other benefits of the project outweigh such unavoidable adverse environmental effects. 5.0 ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACTS AND FINDINGS 5.1 EFFECTS DETERMINED BE LESS THAN SIGNIFICANT WITHOUT MITIGATION IN THE EIR The Lyons Avenue/Dockweiler Drive Project Final EIR found that the Alternative 2 Project would have a less than significant impact on a number of environmental topic areas listed below. A less than significant environmental impact determination was made for each of the following topic areas listed below. FINDING: The City of Santa Clarita City Council finds that based on substantial evidence in the record, the following impacts,to the extent they result from the project,will be less than significant. Agricultural Resources The California Department of Conservation, Division of Land Protection, lists Prime Farmland, Unique Farmland, and Farmland of Statewide Importance under the general category of"Important Farmland." The Extent of Important Farmland Map Coverage maintained by the Division of Land Protection indicates that the project site is not included in the Important Farmland category. In addition, locally the project site is zoned for a mix of commercial and residential uses and not"agricultural"uses.Therefore, the Alternative 2 project would not result in the conversion of Prime Farmland, Unique Farmland, or Farmland of Statewide Importance to a non-agricultural use. Additionally, there are no known Williamson Act Contract agreements associated with the project site. The project area contains the following land use and zoning designations: "SP(3)" (Old Town Newhall Specific Plan) and MXN (Mixed Use Neighborhood). Therefore, the project site would have no impact associated with the conversion of agricultural uses or forested lands. Greenhouse Gas Emissions On August 28, 2012, the City of Santa Clarita adopted a Climate Action Plan (CAP), which provides policies and identifies actions intended to reduce GHG emissions within the City and assist in the fight against Climate Change. Overall the goal of the CAP is to reduce Santa Clarita's community-wide GHG emissions below the 2005 baseline emissions by 2020. The CAP includes a set of strategies the City can use to reduce the amount of greenhouse gas emissions produced in the community. Implementation of the measures proposed in the Proposed CAP would result in an annual community- wide reduction in GHG emissions of approximately 193,000 MTCO2e by 2020 from local measures and an additional reduction of approximately 148,952 MTCO2e by 2020 from statewide measures. This would reduce GHG emissions from the Business-as-usual projections for 2020 by 17 percent and would exceed the GHG reduction targets of 16 percent established by CARB in its revised scoping plan. Implementation of the strategies identified in the CAP would also exceed the City's goal to reduce 2020 GHG emissions to a level below the 2005 GHG emissions baseline by 4 percent. February 2018 7 Statement of Facts and Findings and Statement of Overriding Considerations for the Lyons Avenue/Dockweiler Drive Extension Project Final Environmental Impact Report The CAP defines a local threshold of significance for green house gas emissions (GHG) for project level submittals that are subject to environmental review under CEQA. Goals, objectives and policies approved under the General Plan are forecast to meet the GHG emission reduction targets mandated by AB 32. Therefore, development projects that are able to demonstrate consistency with the General Plan and zoning ordinance are by association consistent with the CAP and are not subject to further environmental review. Development proposals that are not consistent with the City's General Plan and/or Unified Development Code (Zone Changes/General Plan Amendments) must demonstrate a 12 percent reduction in the GHG emissions from the Controlled 2020 Business as Usual Scenario, to be deemed consistent with the CAP. Development proposals that are not consistent with the City's General Plan and/or Unified Development Code and that can not demonstrate a 12 percent reduction in GHG emissions from the Controlled Business as Usual Scenario shall be deemed to have a significant impact on GHG emissions. The Alternative 2 project is consistent with the Circulation Element of the General Plan and will not require a zone change or General Plan amendment. As such,the project's potential to generate GHGs will be less than significant with respect to consistency with all applicable plans, policies or regulations adopted for the purpose of reducing the emissions of greenhouse gases. Hazards and Hazardous Materials A significant impact may occur if a project involves the use or disposal of hazardous materials as part of its routine operations which may have the potential to generate toxic or otherwise hazardous emissions that could adversely affect sensitive receptors. Since the Alternative 2 project would not require the transport, use, and/or disposal of potentially hazardous materials, the potential for an impact to occur is considered low. In addition, California Government Code Section 65962.5 requires various state agencies to compile lists of hazardous waste disposal facilities, unauthorized releases from underground storage tanks, contaminated drinking water wells and solid waste facilities from which there is known migration of hazardous waste and submit such information to the Secretary for Environmental Protection on at least an annual basis. No properties within or immediately adjacent to the project site appear on the State's list of hazardous materials sites. Hydrology/Water Quality Through compliance with NPDES requirements and City grading regulations,the project's construction impacts related to water quality would not violate any water quality standards or waste discharge requirements or otherwise substantially degrade water quality. Construction-related impacts to hydrology and water quality would therefore be less than significant. In accordance with NPDES requirements, the Project Applicant would be required to have a project-specific SUSMP in place during the operational life of the project to address the management of runoff from the proposed roadway extension. Therefore, during the project's operation implementation of the storm water quality plan would reduce water quality impacts to less than significant. Land Use Implementation of the Alternative 2 project would not disrupt or physically divide an established community. Additionally,the project will provide increased pedestrian and vehicular access in the area. The Alternative 2 project would not conflict with any applicable land use plans,policies, or regulations, including: the Regional Transportation Plan / Sustainable Communities Strategy, City of Santa Clarita Municipal Code, City of Santa Clarita General Plan (including the Circulation Element), the Placerita Canyon Special Standards District and North Newhall Area, Old Town Newhall Specific Plan, and the Compass Blueprint Concept Plan. February 2018 8 Statement of Facts and Findings and Statement of Overriding Considerations for the Lyons Avenue/Dockweiler Drive Extension Project Final Environmental Impact Report Mineral Resources There are no known economic mineral resources located beneath the project site. The project site is not within a known source area for aggregate or other mineral resources.Additionally,the project site is not located in an area of potential petroleum resources. Therefore, development of the Alternative 2 project would not result in the loss of availability of a known mineral resource that would be of value to the region and the residents of the state. In addition, development of the Alternative 2 project would not result in the loss of availability of a locally important mineral resource recovery site. The Alternative 2 project would not result in any potentially significant impacts to mineral resources. Population and Housing The Alternative 2 project involves the buildout of a proposed roadway alignment that was identified within the City's Circulation Element of the General Plan. No residential, commercial, or industrial land uses are proposed. Therefore, the Alternative 2 project would not have the potential to induce substantial population growth in the area. As such, the project would not significantly impact the existing housing stock. Additionally, the project would not displace any existing housing units, necessitating the construction of replacement housing elsewhere. Therefore,no impact would occur. Public Services(Fire and Police Protection,Schools,Parks,Libraries, and other Public Facilities) Fire and Police Protection A significant impact may occur if the County of Los Angeles Fire Department (LACoFD) and Los Angeles County Sherriff's Department (LASD) could not adequately serve the areas affected by the project's circulation plan based upon response time, access, or fire hydrant/water availability. The project would not directly increase the demands for fire and police protection as the project does not include any new housing units or commercial uses. Emergency access to the Placerita Canyon community would be facilitated through the project's alignment, which is consistent with the City's adopted Circulation Element. The project's alignment would be an improvement to the current access route into the Placerita Canyon community via 13th Street. The potential upgrade or closure of the 13th Street at-grade crossing is a proposed safety feature aimed at reducing potential conflicts between pedestrians, vehicles and trains. The Alternative 2 project's impact upon fire and police services would be less than significant. Schools There are no residential properties on the project site and none are planned as part of the development of the Alternative 2 project. Therefore, development of the Alternative 2 project would not result in a direct increase in the resident population or in any associated school-aged children. Therefore, with respect to local schools,no impact would occur. Parks There are no residential properties on the project site and none are planned as part of the development of the Alternative 2 project. Therefore, development of the Alternative 2 project would not result in a direct increase in the resident population that would use park facilities. Therefore, no impacts on local parks would occur. February 2018 9 Statement of Facts and Findings and Statement of Overriding Considerations for the Lyons Avenue/Dockweiler Drive Extension Project Final Environmental Impact Report Libraries As the Alternative 2 project does not include residential or commercial uses, no new residents or employees would utilize existing library services in the project area. Therefore, impacts on local libraries as a result of the development of the Alternative 2 project would not occur. Other Public Facilities Project operations would utilize and, to some extent, affect the maintenance of public roads. However, wear and tear on City streets resulting from project-related traffic is not expected to be excessive or beyond normal requirements. Furthermore, the City would be required to implement roadway improvements (including any required street repairs due to any relocation of public utilities, project construction damage, and traffic mitigation measures), as monitored and enforced by the City. Therefore, impacts to public facilities as a result of the development of the Alternative 2 project would be less than significant. Recreation The Alternative 2p roject does not include the development of new residential or commercial uses. As such,the Alternative 2 project will not directly impact existing recreation facilities such that substantial physical deterioration of the facilities would occur or be accelerated in the existing neighborhood, regional parks or other recreational facilities. 5.2 EFFECTS DETERMINED TO BE MITIGATED TO LESS THAN SIGNIFICANT LEVELS The City of Santa Clarita City Council having reviewed and considered the information contained in the Final EIR, the Technical Appendices and the administrative record, finds,pursuant to California Public Resources Code 21081 (a)(1) and CEQA Guidelines 15091 (a)(1)that changes or alterations have been required in, or incorporated into,the Alternative 2 project,which would avoid or substantially lessen to below a level of significance potentially significant environmental effects identified in the Final EIR. The potentially significant adverse environmental impacts that can be mitigated are listed below. The City of Santa Clarita City Council finds that these potentially significant adverse impacts can be mitigated to a level that is considered less than significant after implementation of mitigation measures identified in the Final EIR. AESTHETICS The Alternative 2 project would result in temporary adverse impacts to the aesthetic character of the Project Site and its surroundings during the construction period. Such impacts would be reduced to less than significant levels with the implementation of mitigation. Upon completion of the Alternative 2 project,the aesthetic character of the project site and its immediate surroundings would be permanently altered.Views of the intersection of Railroad Avenue and 13t Street will be slightly altered to allow for roadway and SCRRA/UP railroad crossing improvements east of Railroad Avenue. Additionally, views of the hillside on the southeast portion of the project site will be altered by grading for the proposed roadway alignment. With implementation of mitigation, the roadway extension would be developed in accordance with the City's roadway standards and design guidelines. February 2018 10 Statement of Facts and Findings and Statement of Overriding Considerations for the Lyons Avenue/Dockweiler Drive Extension Project Final Environmental Impact Report Mitigation Measures MM 4.1-1 Construction equipment, debris, and stockpiled equipment shall be visually screened to effectively block the line-of-sight from the ground level of neighboring residential properties. Such barricades or enclosures shall be maintained in appearance throughout the construction period. Graffiti shall be removed immediately upon discovery. MM 4.1-2 The roadway median and contoured slopes along the roadway alignment shall be attractively landscaped and maintained in accordance with landscape plans to the satisfaction of the City Planning Department. Findings The City finds that the above mitigation measures are feasible, are adopted, and will reduce the potential impacts to aesthetics to less-than-significant levels. Accordingly,the City finds that,pursuant to Public Resources Code section 21081, subdivision(a)(1), and State CEQA Guidelines section 15091, subdivision(a)(1), changes or alterations have been required in,or incorporated into,the project that mitigate or avoid potentially significant aesthetic-related impacts of the project identified in the Final EIR. BIOLOGICAL RESOURCES The Alternative 2 project would result is adverse impacts to biological resources within the project vicinity during construction and operation. project-related activities associated with site preparation and construction could result in the direct loss of individuals of one special-status wildlife species (the silvery legless lizard) and of active nests or the abandonment of active nests by adult birds should grading occur during nesting season. Implementation of mitigation measures would reduce impacts to the silvery legless lizard and nesting birds to a less than significant level. Construction-related activities, particularly site clearing, grading, and the implementation of the road surface, could have adverse effects on plant and wildlife habitat, and together, would be considered a significant impact. Implementation of mitigation would reduce these construction-related impacts to a less than significant level. Development of the project is not expected to substantially increase the distribution of non-native plants and wildlife. With compliance to mitigation, project impacts would be less than significant. The only special-status plants observed during the field investigation were two coast live oaks. Replacement oak trees would be planted in the number necessary to comply with the requirements stipulated in the Oak Tree Permit issued by the City. With approval of the required oak tree permits,and implementation of mitigation, impacts upon the loss or pruning of any oak tree would be reduced to less than significant levels. The project would increase light and glare effects near to the Newhall Creek corridor. With the incorporation of mitigation measures, impacts upon biological resources, including vegetation and wildlife resources would be less than significant. Mitigation Measures MM 4.3-1 The applicant shall retain a qualified biologist with a CDFG Scientific Collection Permit and Memorandum of Understanding to conduct preconstruction surveys for the silvery legless lizard within the Project Site and area. Should this species be located on the Project Site during preconstruction surveys all individuals shall be relocated, with February 2018 11 Statement of Facts and Findings and Statement of Overriding Considerations for the Lyons Avenue/Dockweiler Drive Extension Project Final Environmental Impact Report the concurrence of the City and CDFW, to an approved site with suitable habitat. Surveys and relocation of silvery legless lizard may occur prior to construction; however, focused surveys must occur within 30 days prior to construction. Survey and relocation methods shall be approved by CDFW prior to commencement of grading. MM 4.3-2 Active nests of native bird species are protected by the Migratory Bird Treaty Act(16 U.S.C. 704) and the California Fish and Game Code (Section 3503). If activities associated with construction or grading are planned during the bird nesting/breeding season, generally January through March for early nesting birds (e.g., Coopers hawks or hummingbirds) and from mid-March through September for most bird species, the applicant shall have a qualified biologist conduct surveys for active nests. The project management shall endeavor to avoid the breeding season. In the event it is not feasible to avoid the nesting season, a qualified biologist shall perform weekly nesting bird surveys beginning 30 days prior to initiation of ground- disturbing activities, with the last survey conducted no more than three days prior to the start of clearance/construction work. If ground-disturbing activities are delayed, additional pre-construction surveys shall be conducted so that no more than three days have elapsed between the survey and ground-disturbing activities. Surveys shall include examination of natural habitat for nesting birds. Several bird species such as killdeer and night hawks are known to nest on bare ground. Protected bird nests that are found within the construction zone shall be protected by a buffer deemed suitable by a qualified biologist, and verified by CDFW. Typically, a 300-foot buffer is required for most species and a 500-foot buffer for raptor species. Buffer areas shall be delineated with orange construction fencing or other exclusionary material that would inhibit access within the buffer zone. Installation of the exclusionary material delineating the buffer zone shall be verified by a qualified biologist prior to initiation of construction activities. The buffer zone shall remain intact and maintained while the nest is active (i.e., occupied or being constructed by the adults bird(s)) and until young birds have fledged and no continued use of the nest is observed, as determined by a qualified biologist. MM 4.3-4 The following guidelines shall be implemented to minimize impacts on remaining biological resources on the site as a result of construction and grading activities and to ensure that potential impacts on these resources will remain less than significant. A City-approved biologist shall be retained by the applicant as a construction monitor to ensure that incidental construction impacts on retained biological resources are avoided or minimized. Responsibilities of the construction monitor shall include the following: • Attend all pre-grading meetings to ensure that the timing and location of construction activities do not conflict with mitigation requirements. • Conduct meetings with the contractor and other key construction personnel, describing the importance of restricting work to within the project boundaries and outside of the preserved areas. The monitor shall also work with the contractor to determine the most appropriate staging/storage areas for equipment and materials. • Guide the contractor in marking/flagging the construction area limits, in accordance with the final approved grading plan. • Periodically and routinely visit the site during construction to coordinate and monitor compliance with the above provisions. The construction contractor shall install temporary erosion control measures to reduce impacts to and protect on site drainages from excess sedimentation, siltation, and February 2018 12 Statement of Facts and Findings and Statement of Overriding Considerations for the Lyons Avenue/Dockweiler Drive Extension Project Final Environmental Impact Report erosion. These measures shall consist of minimization of existing vegetation removal; the use of temporary soil covers, such as hydro-seeding with native species, mulch/binder and erosion control blankets to protect exposed soil from wind and rain erosion; and/or the installation of silt fencing, berms, and dikes to protect storm drain inlets and drainages. No changing of oil or other fluids, or discarding of any trash or other construction waste materials shall occur on the Project Site. Vehicles carrying supplies, such as concrete, shall not be allowed to empty, clean out, or otherwise place materials into natural areas on or immediately adjacent to the site. Any equipment or vehicles driven and/or operated within or adjacent to drainages shall be checked and maintained daily, to prevent leaks of materials that if introduced to water could be deleterious to aquatic life. No equipment maintenance shall be conducted within the drainage channels or within 50 feet of channels. (Fuel-powered vehicles and equipment shall not be left idling or operated beyond periods need to accomplish approved tasks.) Construction personnel shall be prohibited from entry into areas outside the designated construction area, except for necessary construction related activities, such as surveying.All such construction activities in or adjacent to remaining open space areas shall be coordinated with the project biologist. Standard dust control measures of the South Coast Air Quality Management District shall be implemented to reduce impacts on nearby plants and wildlife. This includes a variety of options to reduce dust including replacing ground cover in disturbed areas as quickly as possible, watering active sites regularly, and suspending all excavating and grading operations during periods of high winds. Upon completion of construction, the contractor shall be held responsible to restore any haul roads, access roads, or staging areas that are outside of approved grading limits. This restoration shall be done in consultation with the project biologist. MM 4.3-5 Any landscaping plan(s) associated with the project shall be reviewed by a qualified biologist or resource specialist, who shall recommend appropriate provisions to prevent invasive plant species from colonizing in natural areas. These provisions may include the following: (a) review and screening of proposed plant palette and planting plans to identify and avoid the use of invasive species; (b) weed removal during the initial planting of landscaped areas; and (c) the monitoring for and removal of weeds and other invasive plant species as part of ongoing landscape maintenance activities. MM 4.3-6 All street lighting shall be downcast luminaries or directional lighting with light patterns directed away from natural areas. MM 4.3-7 Prior to issuance of a grading permit, an Oak tree report shall be prepared and approved. All oaks that will not be removed that are regulated under the City of Santa Clarita's Oak Tree Preservation and Protection Guidelines with driplines within 50 feet of land clearing(including brush clearing) or areas to be graded shall be enclosed in a temporary fenced zone for the duration of the clearing or grading activities. Fencing shall extend to the root protection zone (i.e., the area at least 15 feet from the trunk or 5 feet beyond the drip line, whichever distance is greater). No parking or storage of equipment, solvents, or chemicals that could adversely affect the trees shall be allowed within 25 feet of the trunk at any time. Removal of the fence shall occur only after the project arborist or qualified biologist confirms the health of preserved trees. Findings February 2018 13 Statement of Facts and Findings and Statement of Overriding Considerations for the Lyons Avenue/Dockweiler Drive Extension Project Final Environmental Impact Report The City finds that the above mitigation measures are feasible, are adopted,and will reduce the potential impacts to biological resources to less-than-significant levels. Accordingly,the City finds that, pursuant to Public Resources Code section 21081, subdivision(a)(1), and State CEQA Guidelines section 15091, subdivision (a)(1), changes or alterations have been required in, or incorporated into, the project that mitigate or avoid potentially significant biological resources-related impacts of the project identified in the Final EW. CULTURAL RESOURCES No archaeological sites have been identified within a 1/2-mile radius of the project site. As such, the Alternative 2 project would not have a direct impact upon known archaeological resources, including Native American tribal resources. However, a lack of surface evidence of archeological resources does not preclude their subsurface existence. As such, provisions for the identification and evaluation of accidentally discovered archeological resources would be implemented in accordance with mitigation. While it is possible that fossilized materials may be discovered during site preparation and construction, specifically grading and excavation activities, precautionary measures would reduce any potential adverse impacts to paleontological resources. With mitigation, impacts to archeological,paleontological and tribal cultural resources would be reduced to less than significant levels. Mitigation Measures MM 4.4-1 In the event any archaeological materials are encountered during the course of Project development, all construction activity shall halt in the area of the find and the services of a qualified archaeologist shall be secured to assess the discovered material(s)and prepare a survey, study or report evaluating the significance of the materials encountered. The archaeologist's written assessment shall contain a detailed description of the materials encountered, and recommendations if necessary, for the preservation, conservation, or relocation of the resource. Project development activities may resume once copies of the archaeological survey, study or report are submitted to the satisfaction of the Planning Director and copies distributed to the SCCIC Department of Anthropology. MM 4.4-2 In the event any suspected paleontological materials are encountered during the course of Project development, all construction activity shall halt in the area of the fmd and the services of a qualified paleontologist shall be secured to assess the discovered material(s) and prepare a survey, study or report evaluating the significance of the materials encountered. The paleontologist's written assessment shall contain a detailed description of the materials encountered, and recommendations if necessary, for the preservation, conservation, or relocation of the resource. Project development activities may resume once copies of the paleontological survey, study or report are submitted to the satisfaction of the Planning Director and copies distributed to the Los Angeles County Natural History Museum. February 2018 14 Statement of Facts and Findings and Statement of Overriding Considerations for the Lyons Avenue/Dockweiler Drive Extension Project Final Environmental Impact Report Findings The City finds that the above mitigation measures are feasible, are adopted, and will reduce the potential impacts to cultural resources to less-than-significant levels. Accordingly,the City fmds that, pursuant to Public Resources Code section 21081, subdivision (a)(1), and State CEQA Guidelines section 15091, subdivision (a)(1), changes or alterations have been required in, or incorporated into, the Alternative 2 project that mitigate or avoid potentially significant cultural resources-related impacts of the project identified in the Final EIR. GEOLOGY AND SOILS All slopes should be evaluated by the project Geotechnical engineer at the planning and design stages. The hillside area of the project site is designated on the State of California Seismic Hazard Zone Map to have earthquake-induced slope instability. Remedial measures will be required where ascending or descending cut slopes are not stable as determined by geologic or geotechnical stability analyses. The potential for earthquake-induced slope failures is considered low provided that future geologic and geotechnical evaluations and recommendations for slope stability is incorporated into design and construction. Additionally, specific recommendations for design and construction should be provided to address soil stability, including: hydro-compression, expansive soils, rippability, the handling of oversized material, soil corrosivity, shirking and bulking of materials, and the handling of the need for retaining wall. Mitigation Measures MM 4.5-1 The Proposed Project shall be designed and constructed in accordance with the City and State Building Codes and shall adhere to all modern earthquake standards, including the recommendations provided in the Project's Geotechnical Report, which shall be reviewed by the Division of the City's Building and Safety Division. MM 4.5-2 Prior to the issuance of a grading permit, the Applicant shall provide grading plans to the City's Building and Safety Division for review and approval. Grading plans shall comply with the City's requirements for slope stability. Grading plans shall also comply with City requirements for stability under static and pseudo static loading conditions to mitigate risks associated with earthquake induced landslides. Findings The City finds that the above mitigation measures are feasible, are adopted, and will reduce the potential impacts to geology and soils to less-than-significant levels. Accordingly, the City finds that, pursuant to Public Resources Code section 21081, subdivision (a)(1), and State CEQA Guidelines section 15091, subdivision (a)(1), changes or alterations have been required in, or incorporated into, the project that mitigate or avoid potentially significant geological or soil-related impacts of the project identified in the Final EIR. TRANSPORTATION/CIRCULATION The Traffic Report analyzed sixteen intersections for existing year conditions (2014), opening year conditions (2019), and future year conditions (2035). Potential project traffic impacts were found for February 2018 15 Statement of Facts and Findings and Statement of Overriding Considerations for the Lyons Avenue/Dockweiler Drive Extension Project Final Environmental Impact Report opening year conditions and future year conditions. With the incorporation of the mitigation measures, potential traffic impacts associated with the Alternative 2 project would be reduced to a less than significant level. Mitigation Measures MM 6.4-1 Dockweiler Drive extension: Construct to full Secondary Highway Pavement width, from Aden Avenue to west of Valle Del Oro,providing two lanes eastbound(uphill)and one lane westbound (downhill), as necessary. May be striped for parking lane on both sides of roadway in interim condition. Class II Bike lanes and Pedestrian Sidewalks to be provided. MM 6.4-2 Arch Street(north leg)/Dockweiler Drive(south leg)/ 12th Street(east and west legs)/ Placerita Canyon Road (southeast leg): Convert intersection to a 5-leg all way stop controlled intersection including Dockweiler Drive as the 5th leg. Arch Street will include a shared left-through-right lane accommodating left turning movements to the west leg (12th Street) and Placerita Canyon Road. Dockweiler Drive will include a shared left-through right lane accommodating right turning movements to Placerita Canyon Road and the west leg (12th Street). The east leg (12th Street) will include a shared left-through-right lane accommodating left turning movements to Placerita Canyon Road and Dockweiler Drive. The west leg (12th Street) will include a shared left-through-right lane accommodating right turning movements to Dockweiler Drive and Placerita Canyon Road. Placerita Canyon Road will include a shared left-right lane accommodating left turning movements to Dockweiler Drive and west leg(12th Street) and right turning movements to the east leg(12th Street)and Arch Street. MM 6.4-3 Sierra Highway (North-South) and SR-14 Freeway Southbound Ramps (East-West): The intersection modifications include installing a traffic signal and widening the southbound direct to provide an additional left turn lane. The northbound direction will include a through lane, and a shared through-right turn lane. The southbound direction will include two left turn lanes, and two through lanes. The eastbound direction will include a left turn lane and a right turn lane. MM 6.4-4 Sierra Highway(North-South)and Placerita Canyon Road(East-West): The intersection modifications include lane modifications to provide an exclusive right turn westbound lane and right turn northbound lane. The northbound direction will include a left turn lane, two through lanes, and a right turn lane. The south and eastbound directions will include a left turn lane, a through lane, and a shared through-right turn lane. The westbound direction will include a left turn lane,a through lane,and a right turn lane. MM 6.4-5 SR-14 Freeway Northbound Ramps (North-South) and Placerita Canyon Road (East- West): The intersection modifications include installing a traffic signal. The northbound direction will include a left turn lane and a right turn lane. The east and westbound directions will include two through lanes. MM 6.4-6 SR-14 Freeway Southbound Ramps (North-South) and Newhall Avenue (East-West): The intersection modifications include converting the east and southbound right turn lanes to free right turns and signalizing the intersection. The eastbound direction will include two through lanes and a free right turn lane. The southbound direction will include a shared through-left turn lane and a free right turn lane. The westbound direction will include a left turn lane and two through lanes. MM 6.4-7 Newhall Avenue (North-South) and Lyons Avenue (East-West): The intersection modifications include converting the eastbound through-right lane to a right turn lane. February 2018 16 Statement of Facts and Findings and Statement of Overriding Considerations for the Lyons Avenue/Dockweiler Drive Extension Project Final Environmental Impact Report The northbound direction will include two left turn lanes and a shared through-right lane. The southbound direction will include a left turn lane and a shared through-right lane. The east and westbound directions will include a left turn lane,two through lanes, and a right turn lane. MM 6.4-8 Railroad Avenue (North-South) and 13th Street (East-West): The intersection modifications include widening the south and westbound direction to include a left turn lane. The northbound direction will include a left turn lane, two through lanes and a right turn lane. The southbound direction will include two left turn lanes, through lane, and a shared through-right turn lane. The eastbound direction will include a shared left- through-right turn lane. The westbound direction will include a left turn lane, a through, and a right turn lane. MM 6.4-9 Sierra Highway(North-South)and Placerita Canyon Road(East-West): The Intersection modifications include widening to accommodate lane modifications to all approaches. Widen the northbound direction to accommodate an additional through lane. Widen the east and southbound directions to accommodate two additional through lanes and restripe the shared through-right lane to a right turn only lane. Widen the westbound direction to accommodate two additional through lanes. The north, east, south, and westbound direction will include a left turn lane, three through lanes, and a right turn lane. MM 6.4-10 Sierra Highway (North-South) and Newhall Avenue (East-West): Intersection modifications include converting the northbound through-right turn lane to a through lane and widening to accommodate a free right turn. The northbound direction will include two left turn lanes, two through lanes, and a free right turn. The southbound direction will include a left turn lane, two through lanes, and a shared through-right turn lane. The east and westbound directions will include two left turn lane, three through lanes,and a right turn lane. MM 6.4-11 Main Street(north leg)/Newhall Avenue (south leg)/Newhall Avenue(west leg): The intersection modifications include widening the northbound direction to accommodate a left turn lane and the eastbound direction to accommodate a right turn lane. Newhall Avenue (south leg) will include a left turn lane and a shared left-through lane. Main Street will include a shared right-through lane.Newhall Avenue(east leg)will include a shared left right lane and a right turn lane. MM 6.4-12 Construction related heavy duty truck trips should be scheduled during off-peak commuting periods,when possible. MM 6.4-13 A Construction Management Plan shall be submitted to the City of Santa Clarita Department of Public Works (Traffic and Transportation Division) and LASD Santa Clarita Valley Station for review and approval prior to the commencement of any construction. The plans shall show the location of any roadway or sidewalk closures, traffic detours, haul routes, hours of operation, protective devices, warning signs and access to abutting properties, and if applicable, the location of off-site staging areas for haul trucks and construction vehicles, and provide one or more emergency lane through the Project site at all times.All construction related traffic shall be restricted to off-peak hours. The County of Los Angeles Sheriff's Department Santa Clarita Valley Station shall receive advance notice prior to any changes in temporary lane closures or realignments. Findings February 2018 17 Statement of Facts and Findings and Statement of Overriding Considerations for the Lyons Avenue/Dockweiler Drive Extension Project Final Environmental Impact Report The City finds that the above mitigation measures are feasible, are adopted, and will reduce the potential impacts to transportation/circulation to less-than-significant levels. Accordingly, the City fmds that, pursuant to Public Resources Code section 21081, subdivision (a)(1), and State CEQA Guidelines section 15091, subdivision(a)(1), changes or alterations have been required in, or incorporated into,the project that mitigate or avoid potentially significant transportation/circulation related impacts of the project identified in the Final EIR. UTILITIES The Alternative 2 project includes the development of a roadway alignment. The project does not include the development of residential, commercial or industrial uses. As such the Alternative 2 project would not require any connections to a sanitary sewer. Thus, no impact to wastewater treatment facilities would be created. The drainage system of the project will be developed so that post development peak runoff discharge rates are equal to or less than pre development peak runoff rates, as required by the City of Santa Clarita and the Countywide MS4 Permit. As such, the project would not result in the construction of new stormwater drainage facilities or expansion of existing facilities. The project would not create a demand for potable water or for solid waste resources. Therefore impacts associated.with the project,with respect to utilities,would be less than significant. The project would include mitigation to ensure that locations of buried utility-owned lines are marked prior to commencement of excavation work for the project and to ensure that the abandonment and/or relocation and/or modification of any portion of an existing natural gas lines would be coordinated with SoCalGas. 111 Mitigation Measures MM 5.1-1 The project Applicant shall call Underground Service Alert at 811 at least two business days prior to performing any excavation work for the proposed project. Underground Service Alert will coordinate with SoCalGas and other Utility owners in the area to mark the locations of buried utility-owned lines. MM 5.1-2 Should it be determined that the proposed project may require SoCalGas to abandon and/or relocate or otherwise modify any portion of its existing natural gas lines, SoCalGas respectfully requests that the County and/or the project Applicant coordinate with us by calling(800)427-2000 for Non-residential to follow-up on this matter. Findings The City finds that the above mitigation measures are feasible, are adopted, and will reduce the potential impacts to utilities to less-than-significant levels. Accordingly,the City finds that,pursuant to Public Resources Code section 21081, subdivision (a)(1), and State CEQA Guidelines section 15091, subdivision (a)(1), changes or alterations have been required in, or incorporated into, the project that mitigate or avoid potentially significant utilities related impacts of the project identified in the Final EIR. February 2018 18 Statement of Facts and Findings and Statement of Overriding Considerations for the Lyons Avenue/Dockweiler Drive Extension Project Final Environmental Impact Report 5.3 ENVIRONMENTAL EFFECTS WHICH REMAIN SIGNIFICANT AND UNAVOIDABLE AFTER MITIGATION AND FINDINGS AIR QUALITY The Alternative 2 project would result in significant localized air emissions in close proximity to residential land uses within 100 meters of the project site on a temporary and intermittent basis during construction. Localized NOx and CO emissions would be below the significance thresholds at all sensitive receptor locations. However, localized thresholds would be exceeded for PM10 and PM2.5 emissions at two locations: (1) the single-family residential land uses located immediately north of the project site (within a proximity of 100 meters)and(2)the residential land uses within 100 meters south of the Project Site in the vicinity of Market Street and Race Street. Localized emissions would be below the stated thresholds for any land use located further than 100 meters from the Project Site. Therefore, notwithstanding implementation of mitigation measures, localized air quality impacts resulting from construction activities would be considered significant and unavoidable. Mitigation Measures MM 4.2-1 Prior to grading permit issuance, the Project contractor shall develop a Construction Emission Management Plan to minimize construction-related emissions. The Construction Emission Management Plan shall require the use of Best Available Control Measures, as specified in Table 1 of SCAQMD's Rule 403. The Construction Emission Management Plan shall include the following additional elements: a. Use of water trucks or sprinkler systems in sufficient quantities to prevent airborne dust from leaving the site. When wind speeds exceed 15 miles per hour the operators shall increase watering frequency. b. Active sites shall be watered at least three times daily during dry weather. c. Suspend grading and excavation activities during windy periods (i.e., surface winds in excess of 25 miles per hour). d. Suspend the use of all construction equipment during first-stage smog alerts. e. Application of non-toxic chemical soil stabilizers or apply water to form and maintain a crust on inactive construction areas (disturbed lands within construction projects that are unused for at least four consecutive days). f. Application of non-toxic binders to exposed areas after cut and fill operations and hydroseeded areas. g. Plant vegetative ground cover in disturbed areas as soon as possible and where feasible. h. Operate street sweepers that comply with SCAQMD Rules 1186 and 1186.1 on roads adjacent to the construction site so as to minimize dust emissions. Paved parking and staging areas shall be swept daily. i. Scheduling truck deliveries to avoid peak hour traffic conditions, consolidating truck deliveries, and prohibiting truck idling in excess of 5 minutes. j. Reduce traffic speeds on all unpaved roads to 15 miles per hour or less. k. Pave or apply gravel on roads used to access the construction sites when possible. 1. Minimize idling time either by shutting equipment when not in use or reducing the time of idling to 5 minutes as a maximum. m. Limit, to the extent feasible, the hours of operation of heavy-duty equipment and/or February 2018 19 Statement of Facts and Findings and Statement of Overriding Considerations for the Lyons Avenue/Dockweiler Drive Extension Project Final Environmental Impact Report the amount of equipment in use. MM 4.2-2 All off-road diesel-powered construction equipment greater than 50 hp shall meet the Tier 4 emission standards, where available. In addition, all construction equipment shall be outfitted with BACT devices certified by CARB. Any emissions control device used by the contractor shall achieve emissions reductions that are no less than what could be achieved by a Level 3 diesel emissions control strategy for a similarly sized engine as defined by CARB regulations. A copy of each unit's certified tier specification, BACT documentations, and CARB, SCAQMD,or ICAPCD operating permit shall be provided at the time of mobilization of each applicable unit of equipment. MM 4.2-3 An information sign shall be posted at the entrance to each construction site that identifies the permitted construction hours and provides a telephone number to call and receive information about the construction project or to report complaints regarding excessive fugitive dust generation. Any reasonable complaints shall be rectified within 24 hours of their receipt. MM 4.2-4 The contractor shall utilize low-VOC content coatings and solvents that are consistent with applicable SCAQMD and ICAPCD rules and regulations. Findings Although the above mitigation measures would reduce the magnitude of impacts, the City finds there are no feasible mitigation measures that will reduce the identified significant impacts to a level below significant. Therefore, these impacts must be considered unavoidably significant even after implementation of all feasible air quality mitigation measures. Pursuant to Public Resources Code section 21081, subdivision (a)(3), the City has determined that specific economic, legal, social, technological, or other considerations make infeasible the additional alternatives identified in the EIR and the identified air quality impacts are thereby acceptable because of specific overriding considerations. NOISE Construction of the Alternative 2 project would require the use of heavy equipment for ground clearing, site grading, and roadway construction. Several pieces of construction equipment operating simultaneously would generate a noise level of approximately 94.6 dBA. The estimated construction noise levels impacting sensitive receptors are expected to exceed the City's daytime noise standards for residential uses. The construction noise levels would therefore constitute a significant impact. Mitigation Measures MM 4.8-1. Pursuant to Section 11.44.080 of the City's Noise Ordinance,no construction work shall occur within 300 feet of occupied residences except between the hours of 7:00 AM and 7:00 PM Monday through Friday, and between 8:00 AM and 6:00 PM on Saturday.No construction work shall occur on Sunday, New Year's Day, Independence Day, Thanksgiving Day,Christmas Day,Memorial Day,and Labor Day. MM 4.8-2. The construction schedule (including the various types of activities that would be occurring throughout the duration of construction phases, anticipated truck routes, and the potential for noise impacts along local roadways from construction-related vehicles) shall be prominently posted on-site during construction stages. When construction activities are anticipated to occur within 200 feet of residences, notice of the February 2018 20 Statement of Facts and Findings and Statement of Overriding Considerations for the Lyons Avenue/Dockweiler Drive Extension Project Final Environmental Impact Report construction schedule shall be mailed to such residences two weeks prior to commencement of activity. • MM 4.8-3. The phone number of the job superintendent shall be clearly posted at all construction entrances to allow for surrounding owners and residents to contact the job superintendent. If the job superintendent receives a complaint, the superintendent shall investigate, take appropriate corrective actions, and report the action taken to the reporting party. Contract specifications shall be included in the Project's construction document. MM 4.8-4. All internal combustion engine construction equipment shall be properly muffled or equipped with other noise attenuating devices capable of achieving a sound attenuation of at least 3 dB(A) at 50 feet of distance. Such equipment shall also be in good working condition. MM 4.8-5. As feasible,construction activities shall use specially quieted equipment, such as electric air compressors and similar power tools,rather than diesel equipment. MM 4.8-6. Construction staging areas shall be located away from sensitive land uses, particularly away from the single-family properties on Aden Street,the single-family residences near Market Street and Race Street,and dormitories on the Master's University Campus. MM 4.8-7. Construction and grading activities shall be scheduled in such a way so as to avoid operating several pieces of equipment simultaneously,which causes high noise levels. MM 4.8-8. Construction activities whose specific location on the site may be flexible (e.g., operation of compressors and generators, cement mixing, general truck idling) shall be conducted as far as possible from the nearest noise-sensitive land uses,particularly away from single-family residences. MM 4.8-9. Temporary construction,noise barriers of sufficient height shall be erected in such a way so as to disrupt line-of-sight between the active construction noise sources and any residences within 500 feet of the Project Site. Findings Although the above mitigation measures would reduce the magnitude of construction-related impacts, the City finds there are no feasible mitigation measures that will reduce the identified significant noise impacts to a level below significant. Therefore, these impacts must be considered unavoidably significant even after implementation of all feasible noise mitigation measures. Pursuant to Public Resources Code section 21081, subdivision(a)(3),the City has determined that specific economic, legal, social, technological, or other considerations make infeasible the additional alternatives identified in the EIR and the identified noise impacts are thereby acceptable because of specific overriding considerations. 5.4 ALTERNATIVES TO THE PROPOSED PROJECT As set forth in these findings, the implementation of the Lyons Avenue/Dockweiler Drive Extension Project will result in significant impacts that are considered unavoidable. CEQA requires that an EIR include an analysis of a reasonable range of feasible alternatives to a proposed project capable of avoiding or substantially lessening any significant adverse environmental impact associated with the project. The Final EIR addresses the environmental effects of alternatives to the Lyons Avenue/Dockweiler Drive Extension Project. A description of these alternatives, a comparison of their environmental impacts to the Lyons Avenue/Dockweiler Drive Extension Project, and the City's findings are listed below. These alternatives are compared against the project relative to the identified February 2018 21 Statement of Facts and Findings and Statement of Overriding Considerations for the Lyons Avenue/Dockweiler Drive Extension Project Final Environmental Impact Report project impacts, summarized in the sections above, to the project objectives, as stated in Section 2, Project Description, of the Final EIR. In making the following alternatives findings, the City of Santa Clarita certifies that it has independently reviewed and considered the information on alternatives provided in the Final EIR, including the information provided in the comments on the Final EIR and the responses thereto. The No Project Alternative Description: This alternative is required by the State CEQA Guidelines and compares the impacts that might occur if the site is left in its present condition with those that would be generated by the Lyons Avenue/Dockweiler Drive Extension Project. Under this alternative, the eastward extension of Lyons Avenue/Dockweiler Drive Extension Project would not occur and the project would not be constructed. Environmental Effects: This alternative is environmentally superior to the Lyons Avenue/Dockweiler Drive Extension Project since most of the environmental effects of the project would not occur. Relation to Project Objectives: This alternative would not attain the basic objectives of the Lyons Avenue/Dockweiler Drive Extension Project, as defined in Section 2.2, above. The No Project alternative would not close a gap segment in the City's planned roadway system, thus not implementing a goal of the City General Plan Circulation Element. Furthermore,this alternative would not provide improved access to residential and commercial areas within the City. Feasibility: This alternative is infeasible because it would not attain the basic project objectives, and would not provide any of the project benefits. Alternative 1 (Proposed Alignment With The 13th Street Rail Crossing) Description: The Alternative 1 Project would involve the development of the proposed roadway alignment and associated infrastructure, which would include a new at-grade crossing and a secondary east-west arterial roadway connecting Lyons Avenue to the proposed Dockweiler Drive extension that would connect Dockweiler Drive to a new five-leg intersection at the Arch Street/12th Street/Placerita Canyon intersection. The Alternative 1 Project differs from the project by maintaining the existing at- grade crossing at the intersection of 13th Street and Railroad Avenue instead of removing the crossing, as proposed by the project. Environmental Effects: This alternative would result in similar impacts in all categories when compared against the Lyons Avenue/Dockweiler Drive Extension Project. Relation to Project Objectives: This alternative would support the project objectives,which are defined in Section 2.2,above. Feasibility: This alternative is feasible because it would satisfy project objectives,_and would provide all of the project benefits. 111 February 2018 22 Statement of Facts and Findings and Statement of Overriding Considerations for the Lyons Avenue/Dockweiler Drive Extension Project Final Environmental Impact Report Alternative 2 (Proposed Alignment With The 13th Street Rail Crossing) Description: The Alternative 2 Project would involve the development of the proposed roadway alignment and associated infrastructure for Dockweiler Drive,which would extend Dockweiler Drive to Arch Street/13th Street. The route would continue along Arch Street to 13th Street to link the Railroad Avenue. Unlike the Proposed Project, Alternative 2 does not include the roadway segment between the Dockweiler extension and Lyons Avenue, which spans a portion of the Newhall Creek. Additionally, Alternative 2 proposes to maintain and improve the 13th Street rail crossing. Environmental Effects: The Alternative 2 Project would result in slightly reduced impacts with respect to aesthetics, biological resources, hydrology and water quality impacts, and traffic and transportation. Alternative 2 Project's reduced Project Site footprint has the potential to reduce impacts more so than the Alternative 1 Project. For that reason, the Alternative 2 Project is identified as the environmentally superior alternative. Relation to Project Objectives: This alternative would support the project objectives, which are defined in Section 2.2,above. Feasibility: This alternative is feasible because it would satisfy project objectives, and would provide all of the project benefits. Alternatives Considered But Rejected From Further Study In accordance with CEQA Guidelines Section 15126.6(c), there were three alternative alignments that were considered by the Lead Agency but rejected as infeasible during the scoping process. The alternatives considered but rejected included (1) connecting Dockweiler Drive to Railroad Avenue via Market Street; (2) extending Lyons Avenue to Dockweiler Drive with a bridge over the railroad right- of-way; and(3) extending Lyons Avenue to Dockweiler Drive with a below grade underpass under the railroad right-of-way. The physical constraints associated with each of these alternatives that led to them being rejected without further evaluation. 6.0 CERTIFICATION OF THE FINAL EIR The City of Santa Clarita City Council hereby declares that no new significant information as defined by the CEQA Guidelines Section 15088.5 has been received by the City Council after circulation of the EIR that would require recirculation. The City of Santa Clarita City Council hereby recommends certification of Final Environmental Impact Report based on the following findings and conclusions. 6.1 FINDINGS The Alternative 2 project would have the potential for creating significant adverse impacts. These significant adverse environmental impacts have been identified in the EIR and will require mitigation as set forth in the Findings. Significant adverse impacts which cannot be mitigated to a level of insignificance after mitigation include air quality and noise. February 2018 23 Statement of Facts and Findings and Statement of Overriding Considerations for the Lyons Avenue/Dockweiler Drive Extension Project Final Environmental Impact Report 6.2 CONCLUSIONS 1. Except as to those impacts stated above relating to air quality and noise, all other significant environmental impacts from the implementation of the Alternative 2 project have been identified in the EIR and, with implementation of the mitigation measures identified, will be mitigated to a less than significant level. 2. Alternative 2 would result in slightly reduced impacts than the project in six categories and similar impacts in three categories. In general,this alternative is considered the environmentally superior alternative for purposes of CEQA. 3. Environmental, economic, social, and other considerations and benefits derived from the development of the Alternative 2 project, as further discussed in Section 7.0, override and make infeasible any alternatives to the Alternative 2 project or further mitigation measures beyond those incorporated into the Alternative 2 project. 7.0 STATEMENT OF OVERRIDING CONSIDERATIONS 7.1 INTRODUCTION The City of Santa Clarita (City) is the Lead Agency under CEQA for preparation, review, and certification of the Final EIR for the Lyons Avenue/Dockweiler Drive Extension Project (project). As the Lead Agency, the City is also responsible for determining the potential environmental impacts of the proposed action and which of those impacts are significant, and which can be mitigated through imposition of mitigation measures to avoid or minimize those impacts to a level of less than significant. CEQA then requires the Lead Agency to balance the benefits of a proposed action against its significant unavoidable adverse environmental impacts in determining whether or not to approve the proposed project. In making this determination the City is guided by CEQA Guidelines Section 15093, which provides as follows: a) CEQA requires the decision-making agency to balance, as applicable, the economic, legal, social, technological, or other benefits of a proposed project against its unavoidable environmental risks when determining whether to approve the project. If the specific economic, legal, social,technological, or other benefits of a proposal(sic)project outweigh the unavoidable adverse environmental effects, the adverse environmental effects may be considered"acceptable." b) When the lead agency approves a project which will result in the occurrence of significant effects which are identified in the final EIR but are not avoided or substantially lessened, the agency shall state in writing the specific reasons to support its action based on the final EIR and/or other information in the record.The statement of overriding considerations shall be supported by substantial evidence in the record. c) If an agency makes a statement of overriding considerations, the statement should be included in the record of the project approval and should be mentioned in the notice of determination. This statement does not substitute for, and shall be in addition to, findings 111 required pursuant to Section 15091. February 2018 24 Statement of Facts and Findings and Statement of Overriding Considerations for the Lyons Avenue/Dockweiler Drive Extension Project Final Environmental Impact Report In addition, Public Resources Code Section 21081(b) requires that where a public agency finds that specific economic, legal, social,technological, or other considerations, including considerations for the provision of employment opportunities for highly trained workers, make infeasible the mitigation measures or alternatives identified in an EIR and thereby leave significant unavoidable effects, the public agency must also find that overriding economic, legal, social, technological, or other benefits of the project outweigh the significant effects of the project. Pursuant to Public Resources Code Section 21081(b)and the CEQA Guidelines Section 15093,the City has balanced the benefits of the project against the following unavoidable adverse impacts associated with the project and has adopted all feasible mitigation measures with respect to these impacts. The City also has examined alternatives to the project, none of which, except for the Alternative 2 project, meet both the project objectives and is environmentally preferable to the project for the reasons discussed in the Statement of Facts and Findings (above). The City of Santa Clarita City Council, having reviewed and considered the information contained in the Lyons Avenue/Dockweiler Drive Extension Project, the Final EIR, Responses to Comments, and the public record in its entirety, hereby adopts the following Statement of Overriding Considerations that have been balanced against the unavoidable adverse impacts in reaching a decision on this project. 7.2 SIGNIFICANT UNAVOIDABLE IMPACTS 111 Although all potential Alternative 2 project impacts have been substantially avoided or mitigated as described in the preceding findings, there is no complete mitigation for the following Alternative 2 project impacts: • Air Quality: Construction Emissions • Noise: Construction Noise Details of these significant unavoidable adverse impacts were discussed in the Final EIR and are summarized or were otherwise provided in the Statement of Facts and Findings(above). 7.3 OVERRIDING CONSIDERATIONS To the extent that the significant effects of the Alternative 2 project are not avoided or substantially lessened to below a level of significance, the City of Santa Clarita City Council, having reviewed and considered the information contained in the Final EIR and the public record, and having balanced the benefits of the Alternative 2 project against the unavoidable effects which remain, fmds such unmitigated effects to be acceptable in view of the following overriding economic, social and other considerations, each of which the City Council finds is individually sufficient to justify issuance of a Statement of Overriding Considerations: 1. The City Council hereby finds that each of the specific economic, legal, social, technological, environmental, and other considerations, and the benefits of the Alternative 2 project separately and independently outweigh these remaining significant, adverse impacts and is an overriding consideration independently warranting approval of the Alternative 2 project. The remaining significant adverse impacts identified in Section 7.2, above are acceptable in light of each of these overriding considerations, and the substantial evidence that supports the enumerated February 2018 25 Statement of Facts and Findings and Statement of Overriding Considerations for the Lyons Avenue/Dockweiler Drive Extension Project Final Environmental Impact Report benefits of the Alternative 2 project can be found in the Statement of Facts and Findings herein, the Final EIR, the project itself, and the record of all proceedings in connection with the approval of the Alternative 2 project. In the event that any court decision or regulatory action results in a determination that there are additional remaining significant impacts resulting from the City's approval of the Alternative 2 project that cannot be avoided even with the incorporation of all feasible mitigation measures into the Alternative 2 project,the Statement of Facts and Findings and Statement of Overriding Considerations herein shall be deemed to apply to such additional remaining significant impacts. 2. The benefits of the Alternative 2 Project, which is the environmentally superior alternative, outweigh its significant unavoidable impacts that cannot be mitigated to a level less than significant.These benefits include the following: • The Alternative 2 project will implement goals of the Circulation Element of the City General Plan, by providing for an improved circulation network, consisting of connectivity between Sierra Highway and Railroad Avenue. • Provide greater connectivity between Old Town Newhall, Placerita Canyon, The Master's University, and residences along Dockweiler Drive. • Improve roadway level of service and the circulation network. • Provide an additional emergency access roadway for Placerita Canyon residents. • Provide a safe and efficient at-grade rail crossing that meets the standards of the California Public Utilities Commission(CPUC). • Provide sufficient information for an application to the CPUC for applicable rail crossing improvements. • Improve pedestrian and vehicle railroad safety by improving an existing substandard at- grade rail crossing at 13th Street. • Reduce vehicle miles travelled by creating a more direct route for motorists. 3. The Alternative 2 project would include street improvements that would benefit traffic circulation in the project area. Street improvements would include: • Railroad Avenue (North-South) and 13th Street(East-West): The intersection modifications include widening the south and westbound direction to include a left turn lane. The northbound direction will include a left turn lane, two through lanes and a right turn lane. The southbound direction will include two left turn lanes, through lane, and a shared through-right turn lane. The eastbound direction will include a shared left-through-right turn lane. The westbound direction will include a left turn lane, a through, and a right turn lane. • Arch Street (north leg) / Dockweiler Drive (south leg) / 12th Street (east and west legs) / Placerita Canyon Road (southeast leg): Convert intersection to a 5-leg all way stop controlled intersection including Dockweiler Drive as the 5th leg. Arch Street will include a shared left-through-right lane accommodating left turning movements to the west leg (12th Street) and Placerita Canyon Road. Dockweiler Drive will include a shared left-through right lane accommodating right turning movements to Placerita Canyon Road and the west leg (12th Street). The east leg (12t Street) will include a shared left-through-right lane accommodating left turning movements to Placerita Canyon Road and Dockweiler Drive. The west leg(12th Street)will include a shared left-through-right lane accommodating right turning movements to Dockweiler Drive and Placerita Canyon Road. Placerita Canyon February 2018 26 Statement of Facts and Findings and Statement of Overriding Considerations for the Lyons Avenue/Dockweiler Drive Extension Project Final Environmental Impact Report Road will include a shared left-right lane accommodating left turning movements to Dockweiler Drive and west leg (12th Street) and right turning movements to the east leg (12th Street)and Arch Street. • New signing, striping and legends such as monument signage to properly identify the entrance to the Placerita Canyon community as a residential community with no through access. 4. The Alternative 2 project would include railroad-crossing improvements at the intersection of 13th Street and Railroad Avenue that would benefit traffic circulation in the project area. Railroad improvements would include: • New railroad signal house; • Crossing Panels; • Advance Preemption and railroad signal design; • Pedestrian gates; • Railroad related signing, striping and legends; • New fencing for railroad; • New driveway to access railroad property for maintenance; • New vehicular gates; • New railroad loops. Therefore, the City of Santa Clarita City Council, having reviewed and considered all of the information contained in the Final EIR and the public record, adopts the Statement of Overriding Considerations that has been balanced against the unavoidable adverse impacts in reaching a decision on this project. 8.0 STATEMENT OF LOCATION AND CUSTODIAN OF DOCUMENTS Pursuant to Public Resources Code Section 21081.6(a)(2) the City of Santa Clarita, as the Lead Agency, shall specify the location and custodian of the documents of other materials that constitute the record of proceedings upon which its decision has been based. A copy of the EIR and all supporting documents are available at the City Clerk's Office, located in the City Hall Building at 23920 Valencia Boulevard, Suite 120, Santa Clarita, California, 91355. February 2018 27 CITY COUNCIL RESOLUTION NO. 18-10 EXHIBIT C FINAL ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT REPORT PROPOSED LYONS AVENUE/DOCKWEILER DRIVE EXTENSION PROJECT INCORPORATED BY REFERENCE www.santa-clarita.com/dockweilereir