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Home My WebLink About2003-10-28 - AGENDA REPORTS - EIR PLACERITA SEWER BACKBONE (2)Agenda Item: N CITY OF SANTA CLARITA AGENDA REPORT PUBLIC HEARING City Manager Approval: Item to be presented by: DATE: October 28, 2003 Vincent P. Bertoni SUBJECT: PLACERITA CANYON SEWER BACKBONE PROJECT ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT REPORT AND OAK TREE PERMIT (MASTER CASE NO. 02-178, OAK TREE PERMIT 02-026) SCH #2002041149 DEPARTMENT: Planning and Building Services RECOMMENDED ACTION City Council receive the staff report, open the public hearing for testimony, close the public hearing and adopt a resolution that certifies the final environmental impact report and approve the oak tree permit for the sewer line to encroach into the protected zone of 39 oaks. BACKGROUND In 1996, the City Council directed staff to evaluate the necessity of a public sewer system within the community of Placerita Canyon. In 1997, the City initiated a sewer area study that included providing a system to The Master's College and the two residential tracts that were recently developed. The study was completed in 1999 and due to public opposition, the project was placed on hold. In June of 2001, the City Council initiated the preparation of the environmental documentation for the Placenta Sewer Backbone Project. An initial study was prepared and it was determined that the project may have potentially significant impacts related to biological resources, geologic problems, water, stormwater management and recycling, air quality, transportation and circulation, and hazards. Because of the potential significant impacts of the project, staff determined that an Environmental Impact Report (EIR) be prepared. Therefore, a Notice of Preparation (NOP) was prepared and filed with the State Clearinghouse on April 22, 2002. On May 20, 2002, City staff attended the Placerita Canyon Property Owners Association (PCPOA) meeting to provide information regarding the EIR process and project design. Continued To: (Nch)�—It1463 Planning Commission Review Planning Commission review or action is not required on this project. However, as a courtesy to the community, the Director of Planning and Building Services held a community meeting on May 12, 2003 for the residents within Placerita Canyon after the Draft Environmental Impact Report (DEIR) was released for circulation. The meeting was intended to provide the community with time to review the document with City staff available to answer questions related to the DEIR. As a result of the community meeting, staff agreed to walk the project site with some key members of the community during the DEIR review period. The site tour took place on May 21, 2003. The public review period ended June 9, 2003. All comments have been incorporated into the Final Environmental Impact Report (FEIR) which was released on October 3, 2003. PROJECT DESCRIPTION The project before the Council this evening is the review of the FEIR and the associated oak tree permit. The action for the actual construction of the sewer would occur at a subsequent meeting of the City Council. The project site contains both developed and undeveloped parcels consisting of a mixture of single and multi -family residences, in addition to educational and childcare facilities. The project includes the installation of a 2.3 mile backbone sewer line which will encroach into the protected zone of 39 oak trees along the project route. The sewer line will be constructed from the Master's College and continue northwest along Placerita Canyon Road and Placeritos Boulevard and along Aden Avenue, Meadview Avenue and Alderbrook Drive to connect to the City's existing line on San Fernando Road. The project does not involve any new development. Furthermore, the project does not change the current zoning or land use designations of any portion of the canyon and therefore, will not result in an increase in density throughout the vicinity. ANALYSIS Oak Tree Permit The project requires the trenching and excavation through Placerita Canyon along the project route, which requires the approval of an oak tree permit for the encroachment into the protected zone of 39 oak trees. The project will not require the removal of any oak trees. The City retained Land Design Consultants to prepare an oak tree report which includes mitigation measures to protect the oak trees. The City's Oak Tree Specialist has reviewed the project, the oak tree report with mitigation and has prepared conditions of approval which are attached to the resolution. Environmental Impact Report An Initial Study and Notice of Preparation (NOP) for the Placerita Canyon Backbone Sewer Project was circulated in April 2002. Subsequently, a Draft Environmental Impact Report (DEIR) was prepared by the City's EIR Consultant (Tetra Tech, Inc.). The EIR has been prepared in compliance with the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA). The DEIR was circulated for public review and comment from April 22, 2003 to June 9, 2003. The Final Environmental Impact Report, which includes responses to agency comments and the Mitigation Monitoring and Reporting Program, was completed and available for public review on October 3, 2003. Five alternative alignments were considered as part of the EIR, including the no project alternative. The no project alternative would allow for the continued use of private sewage in the project area. All alternatives, except the no project alternative would provide sewer connections from The Master's College to the existing sewer line on San Fernando Road. The preferred alternative was A-3, in which the sewer line would run along Placeritos Boulevard to the alley behind Alderbrook Drive (MWD easement), cross the floodplain parallel to Placerita Creek and an existing water line, turn northwesterly to connect to the existing Los Angeles County Sanitation sewer line on San Fernando Road in proximity to 16th Street. The EIR identifies issue areas as "Environmental Areas Where No Significant Impacts Would Occur." These include Land Use and Planning, Population and Housing, Energy/Mineral Resources, Utilities (Natural Gas, Electricity, Telephone, and Wastewater), Aesthetics, Cultural Resources, Air Quality, Parks and Recreation, long-term Traffic impacts and long-term Noise impacts. Although no significant impacts are associated with air quality, aesthetics, parks and recreation and cultural resources, mitigation measures have been incorporated. All other issues identified in the Draft EIR are classified as "Environmental Effects Which Have Been Mitigated to a Level Less Than Significant." These include Geology, Water Resources/Storm Water Management, short-term Transportation and Circulation impacts, Biological Resources, Risk of Upset/Hazards, short-term Noise. The EIR does not identify any issue areas as "Unavoidable Significant Environmental Effects Which Cannot be Mitigated to a Level Less Than Significant." Therefore, a Statement of Overriding Considerations is not required for the Placerita Canyon Backbone Sewer Project. FISCAL IMPACT There are no impacts to the City's budget with the proposed project since Council action is to certify the EIR and approve the oak tree permit. However, if the project were to move forward in the future, there may be impacts. The funding for the Placerita Canyon Sewer Backbone project is predominantly from The Master's College and developer fees collected from two subdivision projects that were approved and built several years ago. In addition, general fund money may be added to cover the cost of the backbone sewer line, which is anticipated to cost $1.5 million. ALTERNATIVE ACTIONS 1. Not certify the Environmental Impact Report. 2. Modify the project to address any Council issues. 3. Other action as determined by the Council. ATTACHMENTS Resolution Conditions of Approval Final Environmental Impact Report Volume I available in the City Clerk's Reading File Final Environmental Impact Report Volume II available in the City Clerk's Reading File Final Environmental Impact Report Volume III available in the City Clerk's Reading File Draft Environmental Impact Report available in the City Clerk's Reading File CITY OF SANTA CLARITA NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARING PUBLIC NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN: A Public Hearing will be held before the City Council of the City of Santa Clarita in the City Hall Council Chambers, 23920 Valencia Blvd., I" Floor, on the 28" day of October, 2003, at or after 6:00 p.m. to to discuss the Placerita Canyon Sewer Backbone Project, Master Case No. 02-178, which is located within the community of Placerita Canyon, a sub -community of Santa Clarita in Los Angeles County. The applicant, the City of Santa Clarita Transportation and Engineering Services Dept., has prepared an Environmental Impact Report (EIR) for the installation of a 2.3 mile backbone sewer line which will encroach into the protected zone of 40 oak trees along the project route. The sewer line will be constructed from the Master's College and continue northwest along Placerita Canyon Road and Placeritos Boulevard and along Aden Avenue, Meadview Avenue and Alderbrook Drive to connect to the City's existing line on San Fernando Road. Proponents, opponents, and any interested persons may appear and be heard on this matter at that time. For further information regarding this proposal, you may contact the City of Santa Clarita, Department of Planning and Building Services, 23920 Valencia Boulevard, 302, Santa Clarita, CA 91355; Telephone: (661) 2554330. Project Manager: Tara Concepcion If you wish to challenge the action taken on this matter in court, you may be limited to raising only those issues you or someone else raised at the public hearing described in this notice, or in written correspondence delivered to the City of Santa Clarita at, or prior to the public hearing. Dated: October 2, 2003 Sharon L. Dawson, CMC City Clerk Publish Date: October 7. 2003 NOTICE OF CONTINUED PUBLIC HEARING CITY OF SANTA CLARITA CITY COUNCIL NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that the City Council of the City of Santa Clarita, at its regular meeting held October 28, 2003, continued a public hearing on PLACERITA CANYON SEWER BACKBONE PROJECT ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT REPORT AND OAK TREE PERMIT (MASTER CASE 02-178, OAK TREE PERMIT 02-026) SCH 32002041149 In 1996 the City Council directed staff to evaluate the necessity of a public sewer system within the community of Placerita Canyon. hi 1997 the City initiated a sewer area study that included providing a system to The Master's College and two residential tracts. In June 2001, the City Council initiated the preparation for the environmental documentation because of potential significant impacts of the project. to November 4, 2003. The continued public hearing will be held at or after 6:00 p.m. in the Council Chamber at 23920 Valencia Blvd., Santa Clarita, California. Dated this 29`h day of October, 2003. R g°"" - SHARON L. DAWSON, CITY CLERK STATE OF CALIFORNIA ) COUNTY OF LOS ANGELES ) SS. AFFIDAVIT OF POSTING CITY OF SANTA CLARITA 1 I, SHARON L. DAWSON, being first duly sworn, deposes and says that she is the duly appointed and qualified City Clerk of the City of Santa Clarita and that on October 29, 2003, she caused the above notice to be posted at the door of the Council Chamber located at 23920 Valencia Blvd., Santa Clarita, California. SHARON L. DAWSON, CITY CLERK Santa Clarita, California PublicHearings/CONTPH.doc