HomeMy WebLinkAbout2003-09-15_EQAC_AgendaEQAC Agenda Page 1 of 1
��bW�gr CITY OF NEWPORT BEACH
ENVIRONMENTAL QUALITY AFFAIRS COMMITTEI
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AGENDA
DATE /TIME: MONDAY, September 15, 2003 -7:00 P.M.
LOCATION: POLICE DEPARTMENT AUDITORIUM
870 SANTA BARBARA DRIVE
Roll Call
1. Minutes of August 18, 2003 (Draft Minutes Attached)*
2 Report from the St. Andrews Subcommittee on the Notice of
Preparation (NOP) (Draft Re op rt Attachment)
3. Discussion of Subcommittee Procedures and Participation
4. Report from EQAC Representative to GPUC
5. Report from EQAC Members on GPAC
6. Report on LCP Process
7. Council Member Reports
8. Report from Staff on Current Projects
9. Public Comments
10. Future Agenda Items
NEXT MEETING DATE: October 20, 2003
LOCATION: Police Department Auditorium
*Draft Attachment can be found on the City's website http :LA,ww.city.newport- bescLca_us/ click on
Council and then click on Agendas and Minutes. The attachments are also available for pick -up in the C
Newport Beach Planning Department at 3300 Newport Boulevard, Building C, Second Floor.
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DRAFT Minutes August 18, zoos
Minutes of the Environmental Quality Affairs Citizens Advisory Committee held at the
City of Newport Beach Police Department Auditorium, 870 Santa Barbara Drive, on
August 18, 2003.
Members Present:
Steve Bromberg, Mayor
Phillip Lugar
Robert Hawkins, Chairperson
Jim Miller
Cris Trapp, Vice Chairperson
Dolores Otting
Barry Allen
Marge Pantzar
Brent Cooper
Nancy Raney
Maggie Fitzgerald
Richard Rivett
Ray Halowski
Louis Von Dyl
Tom Hyans
Jennifer Winn
Elaine Linhoff
Staff Representatives:
Sharon Wood, Assistant City Manager
Members not Present:
Richard Nichols, Council Member Thomas Eastmond
Gary Borquez Carol Hoffman
Gus Chabre Christopher Welsh
Laura Dietz
The meeting was called to order by Vice Chairperson Cris Trapp at 7:15 p.m.
1. Introduction of New Member
Maggie Fitzgerald introduced herself; she has done environmental consulting for
twenty years.
2. Minutes of July 21, 2003
Motion was made by Ray Halowski to approve the minutes as written.
Seconded by Marge Pantzar. Motion passed unanimously.
3.
Report from Subcommittee on South Coast Shipyard _Draft Mitigated Negative
Declaration (DMND)
Chairman Hawkins arrived at 7:17 p.m.
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The committee made typographical and format changes to the report.
On a straw vote, the majority recommended a Draft EIR, and deleting the
alternative of a revised DMND.
Elaine Linhoff moved to approve the report with corrections and a clear
recommendation for a DEIR. Phillip Lugar seconded the motion, and it passed
unanimously.
4. Report from Subcommittee on Pacific Medical Plaza Notice of Preparation (NOP)
The typos in the report were corrected. Sharon Wood suggested that the
statement regarding use of the site for affordable housing by Newport Beach be
deleted. The committee agreed by consensus
Comments added:
• Include State Route 55 and 19th Street in traffic analysis
• Include Old Newport Boulevard Specific Plan in land use analysis
• Address how the project may impact future extension of Sate Route 55
Delete reference to biological resources.
Jennifer Winn moved to approve the report with the edits and forward it to the
City Manager for transmission to Costa Mesa. Marge Pantzar seconded. The
motion passed unanimously.
5. Report from EQAC Member to GPUC
There was no meeting.
6. Report from EQAC Members on GPAC
There was no meeting.
7. Report on LCP Process
Sharon Wood reported on meeting with the California Coastal Commission staff
on August 15th.
8. Report from Stgff on Current_Projects
Sharon Wood reported that the St. Andrew Notice of Preparation (NOP) is out for
review.
9. Council Member Reports
Mayor Bromberg reported the following:
• The Lower Bayview Landing project was continued at the California
Coastal Commission; we are proceeding with a project of 120 units.
• Eelgrass - Mayor Bromberg, Harbor Resources Commissioners and staff
met with Congressman Cox this morning to get Federal help on defining
the appropriate amount of eelgrass for our Harbor.
10.
Public Comments
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None
11. Future Agenda Items
September:
• St. Andrew NOP
• Bio Diesel Presentation
Chairman Hawkins adjourned the meeting at 9:15 p.m.
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DRAFT Notice of Preparation fo* St. Andrew's Page 1 of 3
MEMORANDUM
To: Environmental Quality Affairs Citizens Advisory Committee
City of Newport Beach
From: St. Andrew's Subcommittee
Environmental Quality Affairs Citizens Advisory Committee
City of Newport Beach
Subject Notice of Preparation ( "NOP ") for St. Andrew's Presbyterian
Church Expansions and Renovation; General Plan Amendment and
Use Permit (PA2002 -265) (the "Project ")
Date: September 8, 2003
Thank you for the opportunity to comment on the NOP for the captioned
Project located at 600 St. Andrew's Road, Newport Beach, California 92663. We offer
the following comments in the hopes of improving the Draft Environmental Impact
Report ( "DEIR ") and the Project.
1. Protect Description:
The NOP contains an incomplete Project description. The proposed
Project includes enlarged parking from 250 to 400 spaces including the construction of
a two level parking structure with the lower level below grade. In addition, the Project
includes over a five fold increase in the classroom size and increasing the Fellowship
Hall from 17,762 to 32,744 square feet. However, the NOP fails to discuss the reasons
for these increases associated with the Project. The DEIR should discuss the nature
and reasons for such changes so that the public may be able to understand and
comment on the Project.
2. Environmental Checklist and Discussion:
a. Aesthetics:
The checklist, page 19, indicates that "the maximum building height
of the existing development is 43 feet." However, the NOP does not say that the
existing buildings are 43 feet in height.
The new project buildings are to be 30 -35 feet "above existing
grade" (page 19). The EIR should clearly indicate whether the Project will be taller or
shorter as viewed from the street or adjacent residential property than the existing
conditions.
Further, the DEIR should discuss and identify the location of the
current buildings that are to be replaced and indicate the location of the proposed
buildings. It would appear this should be done so that local residents can determine
what if any effect these newer buildings may have on their adjoining properties.
In addition, the lighting element seems to be very specific about
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what is required and does indicate concern for light spillage and glare. The checklist
indicates these issues are not being addressed in the EIR but will be addressed prior to
the issuance of a building permit or a certificate of occupancy. However, CEQA requires
more than deferred analysis: the DEIR should discuss the lighting impacts and glare so
that the public may have an opportunity to know what the differences will be between the
current night lighting versus the planned night lighting and will be so that appropriate
mitigation or modifications can be worked out before any building permit is issued.
b. Ai.r uality_;.
The Checklist indicates that the Project could have potentially
significant impacts on air quality both long term and short term. The long term impacts
will result from the increased vehicular traffic associated with the Project. However, the
NOP lists mitigation for only short term impacts. The DEIR must explain and analyze
the nature and extent of these impacts and, if necessary, provide adequate mitigation.
C. Geology and Soils:
The Checklist indicates that the Project will have less than
significant impacts on geology and soils. However, the Project will include a
subterranean garage and involve substantial excavation. However, the NOP identifies
three mitigation measures including preparation of a site specific foundation subsurface
study. The DEIR should include this study, analyze Project impacts and, if necessary,
propose necessary mitigation.
d. Hydroio.gy,an...d._Water Quality:
The NOP notes that the Project will have less than significant
impacts on hydrology and water quality. However, the NOP proposes two mitigation
measures including a proposal for frequent parking area sweeping and other structural
and non - structural features. The DEIR should analyze and discuss these impacts, and
fully identify and discuss the mitigation measures.
e. Land _Use _and _Planning;_
The Checklist indicates that the Project may have a potentially
significant impact on land use and planning including inconsistency with the City's
General Plan due to the Project's increase of floor area ratio ( "FAR "). The DEIR should
fully discuss and analyze these impacts and, if necessary propose adequate mitigation.
f. Noise:
The Checklist indicates that the Project may have potentially
significant long term and short term noise impacts. Among other impacts, the NOP
notes that the Project may create increased vehicular impacts and increased short term
construction impacts. The NOP indicates that an acoustical study will be prepared for
the Project. The DEIR should include this study, discuss any impacts identified and, if
necessary propose any necessary mitigation.
g.. Transportation /Tr...affic:
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The Checklist indicates that the Project may create potentially
significant impacts on transportation and traffic.
Among other things, the NOP indicates at page 47 that the city
requires one parking space for each three seats and the applicant will build 400
spaces. The church on page 1 is identified as having a 1200 seat sanctuary. That use
alone would appear to utilize all the parking spaces. If we still have classes,
gymnasiums, fellowship halls, etc. with a total square footage proposed of 100,000
square feet for which there is no parking on site when the "main sanctuary" The DEIR
should thoroughly discuss the parking demand for the Project, the uses of the Project,
impacts on parking and, if necessary, propose mitigation measures.
In addition, the Checklist indicates that the bike lane on 15th Street
won't be adversely effected. Considering that the increased size and use would seem to
imply more cars coming and going, the DEIR should discuss and analyze the impacts of
the Project's traffic on bicycle safety. This could be a significant issue for the applicant
and the city. Given the potential for liability, the DEIR should include a very careful
study of bike safety so that the applicant and the City will understand the Project's
impacts on bicycles including its impacts on transportation and bicycle in view of the
close proximity of. the schools which have very heavy bicycle use.
Also, the Checklist at page 46 shows that the Project may create
significant impacts on traffic including impacts on adjacent streets which impacts will be
addressed in the DEIR. This traffic study should analyze the Project's impacts on all
intersections within a 1500 foot radius from the project.
Currently, intersections in the vicinity of the Project experience
significant problems, in part, during the school year. The DEIR should analyze all such
impacts and, if necessary, propose adequate mitigation measures.
h. Mandatory_ Findings ®f Significance:
The Checklist indicates that the Project may have potentially
significant impacts that are cumulatively significant. The DEIR should include in its
cumulative impact analysis all projects in the vicinity including the proposed Mariner's
library, any expansion of schools including Harbor High School or Ensign Middle
School. The DEIR must address all such impacts and provide adequate mitigation for
any such impacts.
3. Conclusion:
Thank you again for the opportunity to comment on the NOP for the
.Project. We hope that these comments and others will assist the City in the preparation
of the DEIR.
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