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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2000-05-23 - AGENDA REPORTS - GPA NOISE AIR QUALITY (2)AGENDA REPORT City Manager Approval Item to be presented by� Laura Stotler PUBLIC HEARING DATE: May 23, 2000 SUBJECT: AMENDMENTS TO UPDATE THE GENERAL PLAN NOISE ELEMENT AND AIR QUALITY ELEMENT. DEPARTMENT: Planning and Building Services RECOMMENDED ACTION Receive staff presentation, open the public hearing, receive public testimony, close the public hearing, discuss and approve resolutions to adopt the negative declarations and to amend the Noise and Air Quality Elements. BACKGROUND On November 9, 1999, the City Council held a public hearing to begin consideration of minor amendments to the Noise Element and the Air Quality Elements of the General Plan. The Council continued the public hearing to the Council meeting of February 8, 2000 and a study session was scheduled for February 1, 2000. The study session date was subsequently moved to May 2, 2000 at the request of the Council. On February 8, 2000 the Council opened the public hearing on this item and continued it to the May 23, 2000 regular Council meeting so that the study session could be held before a final decision is made on this item. The proposed amendments to the Noise and Air Quality Elements update existing exhibits with current data and reflect the adopted circulation network. Minor changes to the goals and policies section of these elements are proposed based on input from staff, interested citizens, and public agencies,at a community meeting held on July 28, 1999 and from the Planning Commission. The Planning Commission recommended (vote 5-0) that the Council adopt the Air Quality Element and (vote 4-1) that the Council adopt the Noise Element Amendment. Strikeout drafts of the Noise and Air Quality Elements as modified by the Planning Commission are attached to this report. OD-6�)2 ANALYSIS NOISE ELEMENT AMENDMENT The Noise Element is one of the state -required elements of the General Plan and its purpose is to identify those issues and sources of noise relevant to the local planning area. Noise studies prepared for this Noise Element amendment show that traffic generated noise is the predominant noise source within the Santa Clarita Valley. The following updates to the Noise Element are proposed: Table NI shows the existing and future noise contours based on traffic noise models and do not take into account topography or other site characteristics. This exhibit is required by state law for the purpose of indicating where noise may be a factor in development and where site-specific noise mitigation may be appropriate. ♦ Table N2 identifies noise sensitive receptors along roadway corridors where noise levels are anticipated to be above 60 CNEL (a 24-hour average noise level). These are areas where noise mitigation may be warranted for new development. Sensitive noise receptors generally include residential uses, hospitals, daycare centers, schools, parks, sensitive habitat areas, golf courses, and cemeteries. Unacceptable noise levels for sensitive uses (above 70 CNEL- where noise mitigation is required) may exist along the I-5 and SR -14 freeway corridors and along portions of Soledad Canyon Road between Sierra Highway and Bouquet Canyon Road (within approximately 80 to 90 feet from the centerline), and portions of Bouquet Canyon Road between Valencia Blvd and Haskell Canyon Road (within approximately 90 feet from the centerline). ♦ Exhibit N3 and N4 are updated Existing and Future Noise Contour maps based on noise readings taken at various locations throughout the valley in June 1999. ♦ Various Noise Element goal and policy modifications are proposed based on suggestions by the public, staff, agencies and the Planning Commission. A proposed text change under the subheading Noise and Compatibility Guidelines (Page N-9) and reads as follows: "It is the intent of the Noise Element to help community decision -makers to understand and use available community noise information to avoid or minimize exposure of the public to potentially harmful noise sources where feasible." The Council raised concerns with the phrase "where feasible". Staff suggested the following alternative language that removes the phrase where feasible, but still provides some flexibility for dealing with unforeseen situations. "It is the intent of the Noise Element to help community decision -makers to understand and use available community noise information to minimize exposure of the public to potentially harmful noise sources," AIR QUALITY ELEMENT The Air Quality Element is an optional element of the General Plan. Concerns raised by the Commission include indoor air quality and the desire for federal and state agencies to identify realistic, attainable air quality goals. The following modifications to the Air Quality Element are proposed: ♦ Update the existing air quality charts to reflect standards and pollutant levels in Santa Clarita for ozone, PM10, and Carbon Monoxide. ♦ Provide a new exhibit titled Projection of Future Air Quality Under the 1998 AQMP (Exhibit AQ 10). ♦ Modify Air Quality Element goals and policies based on suggestions by the public, staff and agencies received at a community meeting held in July 1999 and by the Planning Commission The Noise Element amendment and Air Quality amendment are consistent with the City's General Plan and Unified Development Code. Implementation measures for each of these elements are identified. Initial Studies, Negative Declarations, and background informational reports have been prepared for each amendment and are located in the Council reading file. FISCAL IMPACT The cost of doing the noise and air quality modeling and exhibits for these amendments was budgeted in FY1998-99. The cost of formatting and printing these elements is estimated to be $800 and is included in the current budget. ATTACHMENTS Resolutions to Adopt the Negative Declarations for the Noise Element Amendment and the Air Quality Element Amendment Resolutions to Adopt the Noise Element Amendment and the Air Quality Element Amendment Strike -out Draft Noise Element Amendment Strike -out Draft Air Quality Amendment Initial Study and Negative Declaration for the Noise Element Amendment (See Council Reading File) Initial Study and Negative Declaration for the Air Quality Element Amendment (See Council Reading File) Background Informational Reports for Noise and Air Quality Element Amendments (See Council Reading (See Council Reading File) S:\pbs\advance\ne1em\N&AQAR3