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Home My WebLink AboutExhibit 7EXHIBIT 7 RPDEIR Response to Comments (Jan. 2008) h1 ktx Recirculated Partial Final Environmental Impact Report SCH No. 2006101105 HOAG HEALTH CENTER USE PERMIT AMENDMENT City of Newport Beach Planning Department 3300 Newport Boulevard Newport Beach, CA 92658 -8915 Prepared by: Keeton Kreitzer Consulting 17291 Irvine Boulevard, Suite 305 Tustin, CA 92780 January 2008 t�� RESPONSE TO PUBLIC COMMENTS HOAG HEALTH CENTER RECIRCULATED PARTIAL DRAFT ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT REPORT NEWPORT BEACH, CA INTRODUCTION The 45 -day public review period for the Recirculated Partial Draft Environmental Impact Report (RPDEIR) prepared for the Hoag Health Center Projecf extended from November 15, 2007 through December 31, 2007. The City of Newport Beach received four (4) comment letters on the RPDEIR during the formal public review and comment period. Responses to the comments in the letters received by the City of Newport Beach have been prepared and are included with the Final RIPER. The comment letters were received from: 1. Orange County Resources & Development Management Department (December 4, 2007) 2. Southern California Association of Governments (December 13, 2007) 3. California Department of Transportation (December 26, 2007)' 4. City of Costa Mesa (December 27, 2007)2 Responses to these comments have been prepared according to Section 15088 of the State CEQA Guidelines. The letters received during the public review period have been reproduced in the section that follows. The letters have been reviewed and substantive comments have been identified. Responses have been prepared and follow the letters from the agencies in this "Response to Public Comments" Appendix to the Final RDEIR. Each comment in each letter for which a response is required has been numbered for easy reference. 'The comment letter from Caltrans addresses Response to Comment No. 1 in the City's Responses to Caltrans Comments on the Draft EIR dated November 2007. No specific comments on the Recirculated Partial Draft EIR were submitted by Caltrans. 2The comment letter from the City of Costa Mesa addresses Response to Comment No. 1 and Response to Comment No. 2 on the Draft EIR dated November 2007. No specific comments on the Recirculated Partial Draft EIR were submitted by the City of Costa Mesa. Hoag Health Center Recirculated Partial DE1R Responses to Public Comments January 2008 Page 1 \60 COUNTY OF ORANGE Bryan Speegle, Direcror 300 N- Flower Street Santa Ana, CA P.O. Box 4048 sorjRcrS & D—Pv iLoPAw vT aRN4GENlENT D,It'PARTtl1E1V7' °m Ana, CA 92702 4048 Telephone: (714) 834 -2300 Fax: (714) 834 -5188 December 4, 2007 Jaime Murillo, Associate Planner City of Newport Beach Planning Department 3300 Newport Boulevard Newport Beach, CA 92658 -8915 p�MNG ECft p By DEC 0 r' 21t0I C11YOF ftopr ht. NCL 07-044 SUBJECT: Recirculated Partial Draft Environmental Impact Report (RPDEIR)- Hoag Health Center Use Permit Amendment Dear Mr. Murillo: The above mentioned item is a Recirculated Partial Draft Environmental Impact Report (RPDEIR) for Hoag Health Center Use Permit Amendment located in the City of Newport Beach. ,) IThe County of Orange has reviewed the RPDEIR and has no comments at this time. However, we would like to be advised of any further developments. If you have any questions, please contact Sally Hohnbaum at (714) 834 -5907. Since ly, Ronald L. Tippets, f Current and Environmental Planning \0 Orange County Resources & Development Management Department (December 4, 2007) Response to Comment No. 1 As indicated in this letter, the County reviewed the RPDEIR for the Hoag Health Center Use Permit Amendment and has no comments on the document. Therefore, no response is necessary. Hoag Health Center Recirculated Partial DElR Responses to Public Comments January 2008 Page 2 WX SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA ASSOCIATION of GOVERNMENTS December 13, 2007 Mr. Jaime Murillo Main Office Associate Planner 818 west Seventh Street Newport Beach Planning Department 12th Floor 3300 Newport Boulevard Los Angeles, California Newport Beacn, CA 92658 -5915 p44NNR6C,' DOY 11r„ ��A1P 90017 -3435 RE: SCAG Clearinghouse No. 120070704 Hoag Health Center t (213) 236 -1800 (Recirculated Partial Draft EIR) 1 (213) 236 1825 Dear Mr. Murillo: www.scag.ca.gov Thank you for submitting the Hoag Health Center for review and comment. As Mavdv IA Mk day MAingn Matlxwn, I. • Nary.Nano Bm la areawide clearinghouse for regionally significant projects, SCAG reviews the U M• brig t$- M. Angdes•WantamlLla 6 Nelgelt•ma,garel consistency of local plans, projects and programs with regional plans. This Bfin,z Pmsikw kry no, tan Wmammn activity is based on SCAG's responsibilities as a regional planning organization (RUmyWMVimPnslkwdkAam Ober. UWFaml sewrA v. PMtlknt w,ry kldwau kn WYdd pursuant to state and federal laws and regulations. Guidance provided by loo0we Past Pmwem: yedm,e B %ft to A.PkIOMY these reviews is intended to assist local agencies and project sponsors to take io,"ltm,uy.Amramw.Im wlLn,mY. actions that contribute to the attainment of regional goals and policies. Mn IAW..Buo. � tos An9Na Owp. Aoom B Avde, to Angeles Wn,Y• :e.rircagnkx taA,gelm twmy. P.A1md We have reviewed the Hoag Health Center, and have determined that the Mavdv IA Mk day MAingn Matlxwn, I. • Nary.Nano Bm la Project is not regionally significant per SCAG Intergovernmental Review proposed J 9 h' 9. p 9 U M• brig t$- M. Angdes•WantamlLla 6 Nelgelt•ma,garel (IGR) Criteria and California Environmental Quality Act Guidelines Bad, Roummd • firm WritA, Wmmvm (CEQA) BnmMMgla .,md.AaewAeAm.LmMAme,..1 (Section 15206). Therefore, the Project does not warrant A 0w - 8k WvenL los mpt,- Windy Greed to Mylo - frank Ldmk, Cod* -kmm proposed comments at this time. Should there be a change in the scope of the proposed Project, we MA to Angels • W. HMkC ."- "hw, R.AK Ama - h,d Am, lm AW.-in jW would appreciate the opportunity to review and comment at that time. ImRaad • Tom Laknge, to AMWhs •Pak tan¢ � Pomom•Badam MA AWmkn•Lary M.N Rou-Itn'odNr't "m,AaR" �^M Monks kmam k,M A description of the proposed Project was published in SCAG's November 1-30, • to Argxes • Mn knY. Lo Aagew• N KrIo, La AWI%- BM RM.W La 2007 Intergovernmental Review Clearinghouse Report for Amin- Wdg SMAm AWI. -T^m SyYS,W d -MW AI kWh PaakN•TmlaRemdwkLmg public review and comment. Beal, • A w MIMMigaa, Lo Aigelc • No% - - WW.. tAm- lad P#Bx Lo Awk,• Hem _ I. Wdsmk• La An9Aa• throb h.. I. Aagft Th Wange Wv,q. am Nod,•. Bmvge(omdy e project title and SCAG Clearinghouse number should be used in all Ovixine BameALa NYn•lohnBanmm� B,mWa correspondence with SCAG concerning this Project. Correspondence should be Nmo, Yk .noho too, WI�<, NerrynA BaxM1.Rkkm Mrm,kkRnmu. sent to the attention of the Clearinghouse Coordinator. If you have any questions, loom oAkganlm AwYPo,•wulBwY. nkla Nquel• wrtamM. AnaAtlm•SM1annxuYA fudenan lease contact me at 21 P ( 3) 236 -1857. Thank you. MreMde (aunty: IW Nam. RWrOd, (aunt, • 1Anma W" IMO EA'xwo • Bawle Won,, Slncerel y Ibruatley ft L9Ygdd9e. RM1eMk• 4, Penis, , fmAMmay kn AWms,IMndeM SanxemambWwW:fwvkin. knxemaNlm /y/q�`(!r'y'��. [wmY La (/ ( /J Mon,(lav4epnn WlN. (WndllRitP•11m H,Ptt, � Mun of APBW YMM ' Lary M1kfallan. 1119YMml W Bek,aYkYeROn. Rhw•AAnWapuABnMAn LA RNE JONES, Planning Technician Aeskra WvaW: Linda Pink,, Wova tomny • Program Development and Evaluation Division - P Wen kmm. Simi Mky - Tdd Mmwnme. W v� Wenavenlun•laMWUeB Pon IWMRtre - - WWI Gooroom Repaml . Aroo, Mak1 SA. yedMngaAW MLneiw M1MHm GARIA Eeunty Trampohdav 11"I Ail Bo%B.PoW ane WRRty TmmPndatko faWmlo": fth' aHemd U. kmmkm hod" Goo oorvA,: Paul Doc 11142251 vmmn tonnW kan ipau rn tvxmwkn: rftwikusl,MOmpmR MW 1�'� 2. Southern California Association of Governments (September 20, 2007) Response to Comment No. f This comment indicates that SCAG has reviewed the project and has determined that it is not regionally significant and, therefore, does not warrant comments from that agency. Because no environmental issues are raised in this letter related the adequacy of the EIR, no response is necessary. Hoag Health Center Recirculated Partial DEIR Responses to Public Comments January 2008 Page 3 \6� DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION District 12 3337 Michelson Drive, 9tgtc 380 Irvine, CA 92612 -8894 Tel: (949) 774 -2241 Fa[! (949) 724 -2592 December 26, 2007 Jaime Mutillo City of Newport ,Beach 3300 Newport Boulevard Newport 13eacb, California 92685 Sab•1ect:Hoag Health Center rear Mr. Minillo, FAX &s MAIL File: I(}R /CMA SCH #: 2006161105 Log #: 1790D PCH, SR -55 ! Fes.3 p7a Yaa Pp rl Be aeery of Ciord Thank you for the opportunity to review and comment on the Response to Cemmo> is (RTC) for the Hoag Health Center project. The applicant Newport Beach Healthcare Centerj is requesting the approval of an amendment to the existing use permit to allow the conversion of the remaining 232,414 square feet office use to medical offices, and construction of an additional 10,586 square feet of medical office and ancillary uses on -site. The project site is located on 500j540 Superior Avcnue in the City of Newport Beach. The uearest State routes to the project site fare pCH and SR -55. Caltrans District 12 is a responsible agency on this project and we have le following comments: i I. OnhPage 16 of the RTC, response #1 stated that the intersections of Newport Boulevard at 19 Street and Newport Boulevard at 17n' Street were not anticipated to experie ice Levels of Service (LOS) D or worse based upon ICU methodology in year 2009. 14cwever, these intersections show LOS F in HCM 111ethudolugy. The mitigation proposed in tic Draft EIR for Newport Boulevard at 17th Street is sufficient, although mitigation for the intersection of Newport Boulevard at 19th Street should also be provided to redueo impacts a loss than significant level. • Please continue to keep us informed of this project and. any future developments, could Potentially impact the State Transportation Facilities. If you have any question's or need to contact us, please do: not hesitate to call Marlon Regisford at (949) 724 -2241. Sine Ryan Chamberlain, Branch Chief Local Developmont/Intergovemmental Review Post4r Fe Note 7671 oa t � 0 I pages'- j To J"O1'Me. Ur Fro jS A QW00PA `l� aF e.. rl ('tyr cui Ca. It Af} Pfitl^° `l4tii Gy •3�o "CaRrra- hap—w'HOWIry aerou Calubmia" ,(D J 3. California Department of Transportation (December 26, 2007) Response to Comment No. 1 Table 10 of the Traffic Impact Analysis (TIA) prepared by Kunzman Associates (refer to Appendix C of the Draft EIR) shows the Delay increase (in seconds) at the study area intersection required by the California Department of Transportation based upon the NOP comments for the Hoag Health Center project. Section 6 (CEQA Analysis) of the TIA states that the project will result in a significant impact at a study area intersection if the project generates an increase of one percent or more at a study area intersection operating at worse than LOS D during either the a.m. or p.m. peak hour based on the intersection capacity utilization (ICU) analysis methodology, which was employed to evaluate intersections in the City of Costa Mesa. The ICU methodology is the historically recognized method of intersection analysis of the lead agency, the City of Newport Beach, the affected agency, the City of Costa Mesa, and for all of Orange County (i.e., Orange County Congestion Management Program). Based upon the existing (Year 2009) plus approved projects plus cumulative projects plus project ICU (volume to capacity ratios) reflected in Table 9 of the Traffic Impact Analysis, the Newport Boulevard /19th Street intersection is projected to operate at LOS D or better during the a.m. and p.m. peak hours. As a result, no significant impact is projected to occur at the Newport Boulevard /19th Street intersection as a result of the proposed project. Therefore, no mitigation measures are required. The paragraph following Table 4.2 -8 on page 4.2 -20 of the Draft EIR has been revised to correctly reflect the level of service /operating conditions at those intersections based on the ICU analysis conducted for intersections located in the City of Costa Mesa. That paragraph has been revised in the Final EIR to read: "Although these intersections are forecast to operate at LOS E and F in the future based on the Delay Methodology, each the intersections would operate at LOS D or better as indicated in Table 4.2 -6 based on the ICU methodology with the addition of project - related traffic and the mitigation proposed in Section 4.2.5. Therefore, with the exception of the Newport Boulevard /le Street - Rochester Street intersection, which will require the payment of fair share fees to the City for improvements to that intersection, no significant impacts are anticipated at the remaining two intersections and mitigation measures are not required." Hoag Health Center Recirculated Partial DEIR Responses to Public Comments January 2008 Page 4 1 �� 12/27/2007 16:46 7147545028 COSTA MESA PAGE 02/08 1 December 27, 2007 CITY OF COSTA MESA CALIFORNIA B292s-1200 P.O. sox 12W I■ FROM THE OFFIGE OP THa iRAMPORTATIDN sERVIOES MANAGER Mr. Jaime Murillo, Associate Planner City ofNewport Beach Planning Division 3300 Newport Boulevard Newport Beatty California 92658 -8915 Subject: HO.A.G Hesith Care Use Permit Dear Mz. Murillo: The City of Costa Mesa has reviewed your responses to the City of Costa Mesa's earlier comments on the Draft Environmental Impact Report (DEIR) for the subject project. Based on the review of the responses, the City offers the following comments: 1. Existing Traffic Volumes: The City understands that the traffic counts on Newport Boulevard intersections between 19`)' Street and 17s' Street were conducted in March 2007 for this project. However, according to recent traffic counts conducted by the City of Costa Mesa in May 2007 and review of past historical data, the southbound through volumes during the evening peak hour as provided by the Project traffic analyses are understated. The DER indicates a traffic volume lower than our data by about 15 to 20 percent at various intersections. The City included our most recent traffic volumes summarized in an Excel spreadsheet along with the earlier comment letter. Attached are actual traffic volume sheets for your review and consideration. The City requests that these counts be considered in the analysis, as this may show additional impacts that were not identified in the DEM. For collection of mare accurate data, the City of Costa. Mesa is willing to participate with your City in conducting additional traffic counts along Newport Boulevard intersections, in order to verify the traffic counts, 2, Improvements-at Superior: While the addition of directional signage on Industrial Way may help to direct traffic to Newport 2 Boulevard, the City of Costa Mesa requests that additional physical improvements to Industrial Way be included in the DE1R in order to encourage motorists to use this additional capacity. 77 FAIR DRIVE PHONE: (710) 794,5394 - TOO: (716) 734.$244 . WYW.CJ.=tL- MW*,ae -us `b 12/27/2007 16:46 7147545028 COSTA MESA PAGE 03/08 The City of Costa Mesa appreciates the positive working relationship with your staff in projects of mutual interest and regional significance. It is requested that the above comments be addressed by the City of Newport Beach prior to further approval of this DEM action. If you have any questions, please contact me at 714- 754 -5032. Sincerely, RAJA SETHURAMAN Associate Engineer c: Peter Naghavi, Acting Director of Public Services Kimberly Brandt, Assistant Development Services Director Claire Flynn, Principal Planner 4. City of Costa Mesa (December 27, 2007) Response to Comment No. 1 As indicated in Response to Comment No. 1 to the City of Costa Mesa comments submitted on the Draft EIR prepared for the Hoag Health Center (refer to Responses to Comments dated November 2007), traffic counts that are the basis of the baseline traffic volumes used to evaluate future traffic impacts in analysis prepared for the Hoag Health Center were taken at the time the Notice of Preparation (NOP) was distributed for the proposed project, which is consistent with the requirements outlined in the State CEQA Guidelines (Guidelines). As stated in Section 15125(a) of the Guidelines, the "... EIR must include a description of the physical environmental conditions in the vicinity of the project, as they exist at the time the notice of preparation is published ... ". Although the information presented by the City of Costa Mesa in this comment indicate that traffic volumes have increased by 15 to 20 percent, the existing traffic volumes that are the basis of the traffic impact analysis reflect the "baseline environmental conditions in the vicinity of the project" as stipulated by the Guidelines. The difference in volumes do not necessarily reflect growth in traffic along this unique corridor, but could be a result of unique circumstances, such as seasonal variation, attractions along the coast, or other temporary phenomenon. Therefore, additional traffic counts are not required in order to evaluate the potential traffic impacts associated with the proposed project. Response to Comment No. 2 The following project design feature is to be made part of the proposed project, with the consent of the City of Costa Mesa. An existing sign on northbound Superior Avenue (south of Industrial Way) currently routes traffic to the 1- 4051SR -55 Freeways via northbound Superior Avenue to 17`h Street. This sign will be replaced with a sign that routes traffic to the 1405/SR -55 Freeways via either northbound Superior Avenue to 17'' Street or eastbound Industrial Way to Newport Boulevard. As indicated in Response to Comment No. 2 to the City of Costa Mesa comments submitted on the Draft EIR prepared for the Hoag Health Center (refer to Responses to Comments dated November 2007), implementation of the signage alerting drivers to the Industrial Way alternative of reaching the 1- 4051SR -55 Freeways will not create any significant impacts. Assuming additional traffic from the proposed project (as well as other approved projects and cumulative projects), the following intersections are projected to have a less than significant impact: Superior Avenue (NS) at 16th Street/industrial Way (EW ) Newport Boulevard (NS) at Industrial Way (EW) Thus, including the additional signage that encourages traffic to utilize Industrial Way would not result in any significant adverse impacts necessitating the requested physical improvements. Hoag Health Center Recirculated Partial DEIR Responses to Public Comments January 2008 Page 5 0 \1b