HomeMy WebLinkAbout1999-04-13 - RESOLUTIONS - CERTIFY FEIR SCH 98071076 GVR (2)RESOLUTION NO. 99-60
A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL
OF THE CITY OF SANTA CLARITA
CERTIFYING FEIR SCH#98071076,
AND ADOPTING A STATEMENT OF OVERRIDING CONSIDERATIONS THAT WEIGHS
PROJECT BENEFITS AGAINST THE PROJECT'S SIGNIFICANT UNAVOIDABLE
IMPACTS AND APPROVAL OF MASTER CASE NO. 98-114 FOR
GENERAL PLAN AMENDMENT 98-003 AND ZONE CHANGE 98-002 TO RESIDENTIAL
ESTATE -PLANNED DEVELOPMENT (RE -PD), RESIDENTIAL MODERATE -PLANNED
DEVELOPMENT (RM -PD), RESIDENTIAL MEDIUM HIGH -PLANNED DEVELOPMENT
(RMH-PD), BUSINESS PARK -PLANNED DEVELOPMENT (BP -PD), NEIGHBORHOOD
COMMERCIAL -PLANNED DEVELOPMENT (CN -PD) AND COMMUNITY
COMMERCIAL -PLANNED DEVELOPMENT (CC -PD) AND MODIFICATIONS TO THE
PORTA BELLA SPECIFIC PLAN AND DEVELOPMENT AGREEMENT TO ALLOW FOR
A FOUR MONTH EXTENSION OF THE PURCHASE DATE OF THE METROLINK
STATION AND TO ALLOW GOLDEN VALLEY ROAD TO TRAVERSE THE SITE AND
TO ALLOW THE CONSTRUCTION OF GOLDEN VALLEY ROAD AND GRADING FOR A
PROPOSED HIGH SCHOOL SITE IN THE CANYON COUNTRY AREA
THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF SANTA CLARITA, CALIFORNIA, DOES
HEREBY RESOLVE AS FOLLOWS:
SECTION 1. The City Council does hereby make the following findings of fact:
a. The Golden Valley Road and High School project is generally located east of the
Ports, Bella development area, south of Soledad Canyon Road, west of Sierra
Highway, and north of the Placerita Canyon area in the City of Santa Clarita.
b. In February 1998, the City and William S. Hart Union High School District
entered into a non-binding Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) regarding
certain aspects of the potential construction and cost sharing of the construction
of Golden Valley High School and Golden Valley Road from approved Tract
42670 to Sierra Highway in the Canyon Country area.
C. In April 1998, the City and Santa Clarita Business Park entered into a
Development Agreement regarding certain aspects of the potential construction
of Golden Valley Road from approved Tract 42670 to Sierra Highway in the
Canyon Country area. The City was required to prepare the required
environmental documentation per the California Environmental Quality Act
(CEQA).
d. On May 15, 1998, Master Case No. 98-114 was submitted for the following
entitlement requests: modification to the Ports. Bella Specific Plan and
Development Agreement, Zone Change 98-002, and General Plan Amendment
98-003 to change the zoning and general plan categories from Residential Estate
(RE), Residential Low (RL), Residential Moderate (RM), and Business Park (BP)
to RE, RM, Residential Medium High (RMH), BP, Neighborhood Commercial
Reso. 99-60
Page 2
(CN), and Community Commercial (CC). The project also includes the grading
and construction of Golden Valley Road.
e. The Golden Valley Road/High School project area is generally vacant, with a
number of slopes including an identified primary ridgeline. Oil and water wells
are located adjacent to the site. Major features of the area include the Oro Fino
Canyon, a portion of the San Gabriel Fault Zone, the DWP aqueduct pipeline,
natural gas transmission lines, cable television facilities and electrical
transmission corridors.
f. The project consists of (1) the grading of a 135 -acre school site with an export of
approximately 1.5 million cubic yards of earth, (2) construction of approximately
11,000 feet of Golden Valley Road, a major highway on the City's Circulation
Element, with the import of 1.5 million cubic yards from the school site, (3)
General Plan amendments as previously identified, and (4) modifications to the
Porta Bella Specific Plan. Two scenarios were analyzed for the Porta Bella
amendments, with Scenario "A" being a more intensive development.
9. The City of Santa Clarita prepared an Initial Study for the project, which
determined that the project may have a significant effect on the environment and
that an environmental impact report must be prepared. A Notice of Preparation
(NOP) for the project was mailed in July 1998 to affected agencies. A scoping
meeting was held at Santa Clarita City Hall in July 1998 to obtain information
from the public as to which issues should be addressed in the environmental
document.
h. The Golden Valley Road/High School Site Draft Environmental Impact Report
(Draft EIR) was circulated.for review and comment by the affected governmental
agencies and all comments received have been considered. The Draft EIR
(SCH#98071076) was distributed to the Planning Commission, the public and
affected governmental agencies for a 45 -day public review period beginning on
February 3, 1999, and ending on March 22, 1999. Late comments were accepted
until March 29, 1999, to allow for mail delays.
i. The Planning Commission held five duly noticed public hearings on the Draft
EIR for the Golden Valley Road/High School Site Project and related
entitlements commencing on February 16, 1999, and continuing on March 2,
1999, March 16, 1999, and March 30, 1999, with an action being taken on April
6, 1999. These public hearings have been held at 7:00 p.m. at the City Council
Chambers, 23920 Valencia Boulevard, Santa Clarita, CA 91355.
Three of the public hearings were held during the public comment period. These
public hearings were held for the purpose of providing an opportunity for the
Commission and the public to consider focused discussions on each of the
environmental issue areas discussed in the Draft EIR.
Reso. 99-60
Page 3
j. Prior to the April 6, 1999, Planning Commission hearing, all modifications to the
Ports, Bella Specific Plan and Development Agreement were tabled and this item
was continued to a date uncertain with two exceptions. The first is that the
alignment of Golden Valley Road could traverse the Porta Bella site once the
area is released by the State Department of Toxic Substances Control (DTSC).
The second modification is a four-month extension on the purchase agreement
between the City and the owners of the Ports. Bella site for the Metrolink station.
k. Prior to the April 6, 1999, Planning Commission Hearing, the requested zone
changes on properties, excluding the Porta Bella project were modified to include
a Planned Development (PD) overlay zone which would require a conditional use
permit be obtained prior to construction with the exception of the high school
facility. The PD overlay would allow for more orderly development in the area.
The Final EIR, herein incorporated by reference, includes the Draft EIR and the
following: responses to written comments on the Draft EIR, responses to public
testimony regarding Draft EIR issues raised at the public hearings during the
public comment period, modifications to the Draft EIR text, and the Mitigation
Monitoring and Reporting Program (MMRP). The Draft EIR was provided to the
Commission on February 3, 1999, and the remaining Final EIR documents were
prepared and provided to the Planning Commission on March 31, 1999. Prior to
recommending project approval, the Planning Commission considered the Final
EIR, as well as information provided in staff reports, the amendment text, and
public testimony.
M. On April 6, 1999, the Planning Commission adopted a recommendation that the
City Council adopt an ordinance approving the requested zone change and
modifications to the Porta Bella Specific Plan and Development Agreement
document.
n. The City Council held duly noticed public hearings on this project commencing
on April 13, 1999 and April 27, 1999. On April 13, 1999, the City Council
certified the FEIR for this project (Resolution 99-60), held the first reading of
this ordinance, waived further reading of the ordinance, and continued this item
for a second reading on April 27, 1999. On April 27, 1999, the City Council
having waived further reading, completed the second reading in order to approve
Zone Change 98-002 which changes the existing zoning to RE -PD, RM -PD, RMH-
PD, BP -PD, CN-Pl) and CC -PD and modifications to the Porta Bella
Development Agreement and Specific Plan to allow a four-month extension to
the purchase agreement and allows for Golden Valley Road to traverse the site
(Exhibits A and B). All the public hearings on the project were held at 6:30 p.m.,
at the City Council Chambers, 23920 Valencia Boulevard, Santa Clarita.
Reso. 99-60
Page 4
SECTION 2. The City Council of the City of Santa Clarita does hereby make the
following findings of fact:
a. The California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) requires decision -makers to
balance the benefits of a proposed project against its unavoidable environmental
impacts. If the benefits of a proposed project outweigh the unavoidable adverse
environmental effects, the adverse effects may be considered "acceptable" by
adopting a "Statement of Overriding Considerations." This statement sets forth
the project benefits or reasons why the Lead Agency is in favor of approving the
project and weighs these benefits against the project's adverse environmental
impacts identified in the Final EIR that cannot be mitigated to a less -than -
significant level.
b. CEQA requires decision -makers to adopt a Mitigation Monitoring and Reporting
Program (MMRP) for all mitigation measures, which are conditions of the
project.
C. At the hearings previously described, the City Council considered staff and
consultant presentations, staff reports, and public testimony on the proposal and
the Final EIR for the project.
SECTION 3. The City Council of the City of Santa Clarita find that the FEIR for the
Golden Valley RoadfHigh School project identifies cumulative project impacts and
project -specific impacts. Environmental impacts identified in the Final EIR are
summarized as follows:
a. The Final EIR, herein incorporated by reference, identifies the following issues
areas as significant but unavoidable:
Air Quality (1). The project construction would generate air pollutant
emissions, which would exceed South Coast Air Quality Management
District (SCAQMD) thresholds for PM(10)., Because emissions cannot
feasibly be reduced below established thresholds, temporary construction
impacts are considered to be Class 1, significant and unavoidable.
Air Quality (2). The project -generated mobile and operational emissions
would result in an excess of SCAQMD significance thresholds for ROC
and NOx. These excecesses are considered to be a Class 1, significant
and unavoidable impact.
Biology. The proposed development would cause direct loss of a portion
of a significant blueline stream. This is considered to be Class 1,
significant and unavoidable impact.
Traffic. Although traffic impacts associated with the proposed high
Reso.99-60
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school site can be reduced to a less -than -significant level, build -out of the
project site, in combination with other development in the area would
result in a Class 1, significant and unavoidable impact at two -to -four
intersections.
Aesthetics. The proposed project would alter scenic vistas from public
viewing locations, changing views of a City -designated ridgeline. This is
considered to be a Class 1, significant and unavoidable impact.
b. The Draft EIR identifies the following issue areas as significant but feasibly
mitigable to a less -than -significant level:
Air Quality. Potential carbon monoxide concentrations at congested
intersections.
Geology. Landsliding; slope destabilization; ground shaking; hillside
grading.
Noise. Temporary construction noise; long-term traffic noise.
Traffic/Circulation. Impacts at up to three intersections with the
construction of the high school.
Utilities. Interference with underground utility transmission lines.
Aesthetics. Increases in nighttime lighting; potential inconsistencies
with City design policy.
Hazards. Proximity to active and abandoned oil wells; development
within contaminated areas on the Porta Bella site; proximity of the school
to overhead electrical transmission lines.
Cultural Resources. Potential to disturb previously undiscovered
archaeological resources.
Public Services. Risk of wildfire; school enrollment.
Land Use. Potential future land uses; potentially inconsistencies with
City, SCAG and Department of Education policies.
A Nlitigation Monitoring Reporting Program has been prepared to mitigate these
potentially significant impacts to a less -than -significant level and is included as
part of the Final EIR.
C. The Final EIR identifies the following issue areas as less -than -significant:
Reso. 99-60
Page 6
Biology. Loss of grassland/sage scrub habitat; disruption of wildlife
corridors.
Energy. Limiting of local oil production capabilities.
Utilities. Interference with overhead transmission lines; increase in
wastewater flow.
Public Services. Fire Department response.
Land Use. Noise/dust conflicts during construction.
SECTION 4. Based upon the testimony and other evidence received, and upon studies
and investigation made by the Planning Commission and the on its behalf, the City
Council finds:
a. That the Planning Commission and the City Council has reviewed and
considered the Final EIR in reaching its recommendation to the City Council.
b. That the Final Environmental Impact Report for this project is adequate,
complete, and has been prepared in accordance with the California
Environmental Quality Act (CEQA).
C. That changes and alterations have been required by the Commission and Council
and incorporated into the Golden Valley Road/High School project and related
entitlements which avoid or substantially lessen the significant environmental
effect because feasible mitigation measures have been included in the MMRP.
SECTION 5. Based upon the testimony and other evidence received, and upon studies
and investigation made by the Planning Commission and on its behalf, the City Council
find that the Final EIR analyzes a range of project alternatives.
a. Alternative One, which would realign Golden Valley Road to the north, was
reviewed and rejected due to the increased impacts on the school site, impacts
to the existing utility corridors, removal of existing businesses, and inability to
meet acceptable grades.
b. Alternative Two, which would realign Golden Valley Road to the south, was
reviewed and rejected due to the increased impacts on the oil production
facilities, additional grading requirements, and impacts to utility facilities.
C. The No Project Alternative, which is the environmentally superior alternative,
was reviewed and rejected since it would not implement the General Plan by not
Reso. 99-60
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constructing the road and would not build a high school site, which would help
to alleviate the overcrowding in existing schools.
SECTION 7. Based upon the testimony and other evidence received, and upon studies
and investigation made by the Planning Commission and on its behalf, the City Council
find that the Golden Valley Road/High School project and related entitlements will have
community benefits. The City Council find that the following benefits are overriding
considerations, which support adoption of a Statement of Overriding Considerations:
a. The project would help to facilitate the construction of a new high school to reduce
the existing overcrowding in the school district, which is in conformance with the
City's General Plan.
b. The project will provide the City with infrastructure including improvements to
portions of a major highway designated on the City's Master Plan of Arterial
Highways.
SECTION 8. By adoption of this Resolution, the City Council has reviewed and
considered the environmental information contained in the Final EIR SCH No.
98071076 and determines that it is adequate and in compliance with the California
Environmental Quality Act (Public Resources Code, Section 21000 et seq.). In
compliance with CEQA Section 15093, the City Council has considered the project
benefits as balanced against the unavoidable adverse environmental effects and hereby
determines that the benefits outweigh the unavoidable adverse environmental effects;
therefore, the City Council determines that this resolution comprises a Statement of
Overriding Considerations (SOC) and the adverse environmental effects are considered
acceptable. The City Council certifies the Final EIR documents and adopt a Statement
of Overriding Considerations (SOC).
SECTION 9. By the adoption of this Resolution, the City Council approves certification
of the environmental impact report and adoption of a Statement of Overriding Considerations
that identifies the benefits of the project as balanced against its. unavoidable environmental
risks, but has not granted any approval or entitlement on this project.
SECTION 10. The City Clerk shall certify the adoption of this Resolution.
SECTION 11. The Council shall certify to the adoption of this Resolution and certify
this record to be a full, complete, and correct copy of the action taken
Reso. 99-60
Page 8
PASSED, APPROVED AND ADOPTED thist_31h day of Apri 1 '1999
ATTEST:
wa�
CITY CLERK
STATE OF CALIFORNIA
COUNTY OF LOS ANGELES )ss.
CITY OF SANTA CLARITA
I, Sharon L. Dawson, CMC, City Clerk of the City of Santa Clarita, do hereby
certify that the foregoing Resolution was duly adopted by the City Council of the City of Santa
Clarita at a regular meeting thereof, held on thel -it-. h day of Apri 1 1999, by the
following vote of the City Council:
AYES: COUNCILMEMBERS: Weste, Klajic, Heidt, Ferry, Darcy
NOES: COUNCILMEMBERS: None
ABSENT: COUNCILMEMBERS: None
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