Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAbout2022-036 - Resolution RESOLUTION NO. 2022-036 A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF RANCHO CUCAMONGA, CALIFORNIA, CERTIFYING THE ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT REPORT (SCH NO. 2021060608) PREPARED FOR THE 11298 JERSEY BLVD, LLC PROJECT WHICH PROPOSES TO CONSTRUCT A 159,580 SQUARE-FOOT INDUSTRIALNVAREHOUSE BUILDING ON A VACANT 7.39-ACRE PARCEL WITHIN THE INDUSTRIAL EMPLOYMENT (IE) DISTRICT, LOCATED AT THE NORTHWEST CORNER OF JERSEY BOULEVARD AND MILLIKEN AVENUE-APN: 0229-111- 60, MAKING FINDINGS PURSUANT TO THE CALIFORNIA ENVIRONMENTAL QUALITY ACT, AND ADOPTING A MITIGATION MONITORING AND REPORTING PROGRAM A. Recitals. 1. The applicant, 11298 JERSEY BLVD, LLC, filed an application for the approval of Design Review DRC2019-00766 as described in the title of this Resolution. Hereinafter in this Resolution, the subject Design Review is referred to as "the application." 2. In accordance with the California Environmental Quality Act(CEQA)and the State CEQA Guidelines, the City concluded that there was substantial evidence that the Project might have a significant environmental impact on several resources and determined that an Environmental Impact Report (EIR) must be prepared for the Project in order to analyze the Project's potential impacts on the environment. 3. Pursuant to CEQA Guidelines, Section 15082, on June 28, 2021, the City published a Notice of Preparation (NOP) of a Draft EIR for the Project, and circulated the NOP and initial study to the Office of Planning and Research, the County Clerk, responsible and trustee agencies, governmental agencies, organizations, and persons who may be interested in the application for a 30-day public review period. 4. The City received comments from the Native American Heritage Commission in response to the NOP. 5. After providing notice to the required tribes under Assembly Bill (AB) 52, the City received comments from the San Manuel Band of Mission Indians and the Gabrieleno Band of Mission Indians - Kizh Nation in accordance with the City's obligations under AB 52. 6. The City released the Draft EIR for a 45-day public review period beginning November 12, 2021, and ending on December 27, 2021. During the public review period the City received a total of 2 comment letters on the Draft EIR that required a response, and the City has prepared responses to each comment. 7. The EIR concludes that with the inclusion of mitigation measures, the Project will not have a significant impact on any environmental resources. Resolution No. 2022-036 - Page 1 of 7 8. The City prepared a Final EIR in accordance with CEQA, which contains the City's responses to comments, a Mitigation Monitoring and Reporting Program (MMRP)for the Project, the Draft EIR as modified by the Final EIR, and all appendices. 9. On February 9, 2022, the Planning Commission of the City of Rancho Cucamonga adopted Resolution No. 22-002 approving the application and making findings in support of its decision. 10. On February 17, 2022, Lozeau Drury, LLP ("Appellant"), filed a timely appeal of the Planning Commission's decision approving the application. 11. On April 20, 2022, the City Council of the City of Rancho Cucamonga opened a duly noticed public hearing on the appeal, conducted the public hearing, concluded the hearing on that date, and adopted this Resolution certifying the Final EIR, making findings pursuant to CEQA, and adopting an MMRP. On that same date, and by separate Resolution No. 2022-035, the City Council denied the appeal and upheld the Planning Commission's approval of the application and made findings in support thereof. 12. All legal prerequisites prior to the adoption of this Resolution have occurred. B. Resolution. NOW, THEREFORE, it is hereby found, determined, and resolved by the City Council of the City of Rancho Cucamonga as follows: 1. This City Council hereby specifically finds that all of the facts set forth in the Recitals, Part A, of this Resolution are true and correct. 2. Findings. Based upon the information and evidence set forth in the Final EIR, together with its appendices, and all other available evidence presented to the City Council during the above-referenced public hearing on April 20, 2022, including written and oral staff reports and public testimony, the City Council hereby specifically finds as follows: a. Agencies and interested members of the public have been afforded due notice and an opportunity to comment on the EIR and the Project. b. Section 15091 of the State CEQA Guidelines requires that the City, before approving the Project, make one or more of the following written findings for each significant effect identified in the Final EIR accompanied by a brief explanation of the rationale for each finding: Changes or alterations have been required in, or incorporated into, the Project which avoid or substantially lessen the significant environmental effect as identified in the Final EIR; ii. Such changes or alterations are within the responsibility and jurisdiction of another public agency and not the agency making the finding. Such changes have been adopted by such other agency or can and should be adopted by such other agency; or Resolution No. 2022-036 - Page 2 of 7 • iii. Specific economic, legal, social, technological, or other considerations, including provision of employment opportunities for highly trained workers, make infeasible the mitigation measures or project alternatives identified in the Final EIR. These required findings are set forth in the attached Exhibit A and incorporated herein by this reference. c. Environmental impacts identified in the Final EIR that are found to be less than significant and do not require mitigation are described in Section 4 of Exhibit A, attached hereto and incorporated herein by reference. d. Environmental impacts identified in the Final EIR as potentially significant, but that can be reduced to less than significant levels with mitigation, are described in Section 5 of Exhibit A attached hereto and incorporated herein by reference. e. No environmental impacts were identified in the Final EIR as significant and unavoidable despite the imposition of all feasible mitigation measures, and a statement further confirming this conclusion is provided in Section 6 of Exhibit A, attached hereto and incorporated herein by reference. f. State CEQA Guidelines Section 15091 and Public Resources Code Section 21081.6 requires the City to prepare and adopt a mitigation monitoring and reporting program for any project for which mitigation measures have been imposed to assure compliance with the adopted mitigation measures. The Mitigation Monitoring and Reporting Program is attached hereto as Exhibit B and is hereby incorporated herein by reference. Further, the mitigation measures set forth therein are made applicable to the Project. g. Prior to taking action on the Final EIR and approving the Project, the Planning Commission specifically finds and certifies that: (1) the Final EIR was presented to the Planning Commission; (2) the Planning Commission reviewed and considered the Final EIR and all of the information and data in the administrative record, and all oral and written testimony presented to it during meetings and hearings; (3) the Final EIR is adequate and has been completed in full compliance with CEQA; and(4)the Final EIR reflects the Planning Commission's independent judgment and analysis. h. No comments or any additional information submitted to the City have produced any substantial new information requiring additional recirculation or additional environmental review of the Project under CEQA. 3. Determination. On the basis of the foregoing and all of the evidence in the administrative record before it, the City Council hereby certifies the Final EIR, adopts findings pursuant to the CEQA as set forth in Exhibit A attached hereto and incorporated herein by reference, and adopts the Mitigation Monitoring and Reporting Program (MMRP)attached hereto as Exhibit B and incorporated herein by reference. Resolution No. 2022-036 - Page 3 of 7 4. Location of Record. The documents and other materials, including the staff reports, technical studies, appendices, plans, and specifications, that constitute the record on which this Resolution is based are located in the Planning Department and are in the custody of the Planning Director, 10500 Civic Center Drive, Rancho Cucamonga, CA 91730. All such documents are incorporated herein by reference. 5. The City Clerk shall certify to the adoption of this Resolution. Resolution No. 2022-036 - Page 4 of 7 I PASSED, APPROVED, and ADOPTED this 20th day of April, 2022. L. ennis Michael, Ma or ATTEST: ice . Reynolds, City Clerk STATE OF CALIFORNIA ) COUNTY OF SAN BERNARDINO ) ss CITY OF RANCHO CUCAMONGA ) I I, Janice C. Reynolds, City Clerk of the City of Rancho Cucamonga, do hereby certify that the foregoing Resolution was duly passed, approved, and adopted by the City Council of the City of Rancho Cucamonga, at a Regular Meeting of said Council held on the 20th day of April 2022. AYES: Hutchison, Kennedy, Michael, Scott NOES: None ABSENT: SPAGNOLO ABSTAINED: None Executed this 21st day of April, 2022, at Rancho Cucamonga, California. ani . Reynolds, City Clerk APPROVED AS TO FORM: r Nicholas R. Ghirelli, City Attorney Richards, Watson & Gershon Resolution No. 2022-036 - Page 5 of 7 ExhibitA CEQA Findings and Facts in Support of Findings Resolution No. 2022-036 - Page 6 of 7 Exhibit B Mitigation Monitoring and Reporting Program Resolution No. 2022-036 - Page 7 of 7 EXHIBIT A CANDIDATE FINDINGS OF FACT for Jersey Industrial Complex Project SCH No. 2021060608 Prepared for: „cr.,� �: � RANCHO CUCAMONGA City of Rancho Cucamonga 10500 Civic Center Drive Rancho Cucamonga, California 91730 Contact: Vincent Acuna Prepared by: Birdseye Planning Group, LLC P.O. Box 1956, Vista, CA 92085 Contact: Ryan Birdseye January 2022 This page intentionally left blank. • II TABLE OF CONTENTS RANCIIO' - CUCAMONOA TABLE OF CONTENTS Section Page SECTION 1. INTRODUCTION 1 1.1. Purpose 1 1.2. Records of Proceedings 3 1.3. Custodian and Location of Records 4 1.4. CEQA Findings of Independent Judgment, Review and Analysis 4 SECTION 2. GENERAL CEQA FINDINGS 4 SECTION 3. FINDINGS REGARDING ENVIRONMENTAL EFFECTS DETERMINED TO HAVE NO IMPACTS 3.1. Aesthetics 6 3.2. Agriculture and Forestry Resources 6 3.3. Biological Resources 7 3.4. Cultural Resources 9 3.5. Energy 9 3.6. Geology and Soils 9 3.7. Hazards and Hazardous Materials 10 3.8. Hydrology and Water Quality 12 3.9. Land Use and Planning 12 3.10. Mineral Resources 13 3.11. Noise 14 3.12. Population and Housing 14 3.13. Public Services 14 3.14. Recreation 15 3.15. Transportation/Traffic 15 3.16. Utilities and Service Systems 16 3.17. Wildfire 16 SECTION 4. FINDINGS REGARDING ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACTS FOUND TO BE LESS THAN SIGNIFICANT(NO MITIGATION REQUIRED) 17 4.1. Aesthetics '17 4.2. Air Quality 18_ 4.3. Energy 19 Jersey Industrial Complex Project Findings of Fact January 2022 i (jANcuo TABLE OF CONTENTS CUGAMONGA 4.4. Geology and Soils 19 4.5. Greenhouse Gas Emissions 21 4.6. Hazards and Hazardous Materials 21 4.7. Hydrology and Water Quality 22 4.8. Noise 23 4.9. Public Services 24 4.10. Transportation/Traffic 24 4.11. Utilities and Service Systems 25 4.12. Wildfire 26 SECTION 5. FINDINGS REGARDING ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACTS FOUND TO BE LESS THAN SIGNIFICANT WITH MITIGATION INCORPORATED 27 5.1. Air Quality 27 5.2. Biological Resources 29 5.3. Cultural Resources 31 5.4. Tribal Cultural Resources 33 SECTION 6. FINDINGS REGARDING ALTERNATIVES TO THE PROPOSED PROJECT 36 6.1. Alternatives Considered and Rejected 36 6.2. Alternative Sites 37 6.3'. ' Alternatives Selected for Further Analysis 37 SECTION 7. GENERAL CEQA FINDINGS 42 SECTION 8. FINDINGS REGARDING CIRCULATION 44 SECTION 9. LEGAL EFFECTS OF FINDINGS 45 Jersey Industrial Complex Project Findings of Fact - - January.2022 ii FINDINGS OF FACT R cxo CUCAAIONGA .. SECTION 1. _. .___INTRODUCTION This statement of Findings of Fact (Findings) addresses the environmental effects associated with the proposed Jersey Industrial Complex Project (Project), as described in the Final Environmental Impact Report (FEIR). These Findings are made pursuant to the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) (California Public Resources Code [PRC] § 21000 et'seq.), specifically PRC§§ 21081, 21081.5, and 21081.6, and the CEQA Guidelines(14 California Code of Regulations [CCR] 15000 et seq.), specifically §§ 15091 and 15093. The Draft EIR (DEIR) examined the full range of potential effects of construction and operation of the Project and identified standard mitigation practices that could be employed to reduce, minimize, or avoid those potential effects. In accordance with, and in furtherance of the mandates contained in California Public Resources Code Section 21002 and related case law, the Project design reflects the identification and implementation of feasible mitigation measures to lessen identified environmental impacts, and the FEIR presented information on the environmental effects of the Project, including effects that are mitigated to below a level of significance. 1.1. Purpose PRC § 21081, and CEQA Guidelines § 15091 require that the lead agency, in this case the City of Rancho Cucamonga (City); prepare written findings for identified significant effects, accompanied by a brief explanation of the rationale for each finding. PRC§21081(a)affirmatively requires a lead agency make one or more of three possible findings, in reference to each significant impact. In addition, PRC § 21081(b) requires an additional finding.for impacts that include specific economic, legal, social,technological, and other considerations wherein the lead agency affirms that the project benefits outweigh the environmental impacts. CEQA Guidelines § 15091 states, in part, that: a) No public agency shall approve or carry out a project for which an EIR has ,been certified which identifies one or more significant environmental effects of the project. unless the public:agency makes one or more written findings for each of those significant effects, accompanied by a brief explanation of the rationale for each finding. The possible findings are: 1. Changes or alterations have been required in, or incorporated into, the project which avoid or substantially lessen the significant environmental effect as identified - in the final EIR. 2. Such changes or alterations are within the responsibility and jurisdiction of another public agency and not the agency making the finding. Such changes have been adopted by such other agency or can and should be adopted by such other agency. Jersey Industrial Complex Project Findings of Fact January 2022 1 1► CHOFINDINGS OF FACT RAN CUCAMONGA 3. Specific economic, legal, social, technological, or other considerations, including the provision of employment opportunities for highly trained workers, make infeasible the mitigation measures or project alternatives identified in the final EIR. In accordance with PRC § 21081, and CEQA Guidelines § 15093 (Statement of Overriding Conditions [SOC]), whenever significant effects cannot be mitigated to below a level of significance, the decision-making agency is required to balance, as applicable, the benefits of the project against its unavoidable environmental risks when determining whether to approve the project. If the benefits of a project outweigh the unavoidable adverse environmental effects, the adverse effects may be considered "acceptable." In that case, the decision-making agency may prepare and adopt an SOC, pursuant to the CEQA Guidelines. Section 15093 of the CEQA Guidelines provides:, a) CEQA requires the decision-making agency to balance, as applicable, the economic, legal, social, technological, or other benefits of a proposed project against its unavoidable environmental risks when determining whether to approve the project. If the specific economic, legal, social, technological, or other benefits of a proposed project outweigh the unavoidable adverse environmental effects, the adverse environmental effects may be considered "acceptable." b) When the lead agency approves a project which will result in the occurrence of significant effects which are identified in the final EIR but are not avoided or substantially lessened, the agency shall state in writing the specific reasons to support its action based on the FEIR and/or other information in the record. The statement of overriding considerations shall be supported by substantial evidence in the record. c) If an agency makes a statement of overriding considerations, the statement should be included in the record of the project approval and should be mentioned in the notice of determination. This statement does not substitute for, and shall be in addition to, findings required pursuant to Section 15091. The FEIR identified potentially significant effects that could result from the project. The City finds that the inclusion of feasible mitigation measures as part of the approval of the Project will reduce all of those effects to less-than-significant levels. As required by CEQA, the City, in adopting these Findings, also adopts a Mitigation Monitoring and Reporting Program (MMRP) for the Project. The City finds that the MMRP, which is incorporated by reference and made a part of these Findings, meets the requirements of PRC § 21081.6, by providing for the implementation and monitoring of measures intended to mitigate potentially significant effects of the Project. In accordance with the CEQA Statutes and Guidelines, the City adopts these Findings for the Project. Pursuant to PRC§21082.1(c)(3),the City also finds that these Findings reflect the City's Jersey Industrial Complex Project Findings of Fact January 2022 2 40I _ . ts, I FINDINGS OF FACT R cnio CUCAMONGA - --independent judgment as the lead agency for the Project (see Findings Section 1.4, CEQA Findings of Independent Judgment, Review and Analysis). 1.2. Records of Proceedings For the purposes of CEQA and these Findings,the record of proceedings for the Project includes all data and materials outlined in PRC§21167.6(e), along with other Project-relevant information contained within the City's files. Specifically, the record of proceedings for the City's decision on the Project includes the following documents, all of which are incorporated by reference and are relied on in supporting these Findings: • The Notice of Preparation. (NOP) and all other public notices issued by the City in conjunction with the Project. • All written comments submitted by agencies, organizations, or members of the public during the public review comment period on the NOP. • The DEIR for•the Project and all technical appendices, technical memoranda and documents relied upon or incorporated by reference. • All written comments submitted by agencies, organizations, or members of the public during the public review comment period on the DEIR and the City's responses to those comments, including related referenced technical materials and DEIR errata. • The FEIR for the Project. • The MMRP for the Project. • All reports, studies, memoranda, maps, staff reports, or other planning documents relating to the Project prepared by the City or consultants to the City with respect to the City's compliance with the requirements of CEQA and with respect to the City's action on the Project. • 'All documents submitted to the City by other public agencies or members of the public in connection with the DEIR. • Any minutes and/or verbatim transcripts of.all information sessions, public meetings, and public hearings held by the City in'connection with the Project. • Any documentary or other evidence submitted to the City at such information sessions, public meetings, and public hearings: • All resolutions adopted by the City regarding the Project, and all staff reports, analyses, and summaries related to the adoption of those resolutions. ' • 'Matters of common knowledge to the City, including, but not limited to federal, state, and local laws and regulations. • Any documents expressly cited in these.Findings, in addition to those cited above, and any other materials required for the record of proceedings by PRC §21167.6(e).-:- Jersey Industrial Complex Project Findings of Fact January.2022 3 Via► RjANCI10 FINDINGS OFFACT COCAMONGA - 1.3. Custodian and Location of Records The documents and other materials that, as a whole, make up the Record of Proceedings for the City's actions related to the Project are located at the City of Rancho Cucamonga, Planning Department, 10500 Civic Center Drive; Rancho Cucamonga, California 91.730. The City, as the lead agency for the Project, is the custodian of the Record of Proceedings for the Project. 1.4. CEQA Findings of Independent Judgment, Review and Analysis Under CEQA, the lead agency must (1) independently review and analyze the EIR; (2) circulate draft documents that reflect its independent judgment; (3) as part of the certification of an EIR, find that the report or declaration reflects the independent judgment of the lead agency; and (4) submit copies of the documents to the State Clearinghouse if there is state agency involvement or if the project is of statewide, regional, or area-wide significance (PRC § 21082.1[c]). The Findings contained in this document reflect the City's conclusions;as required pursuant to CEQA, for the Project. The City has exercised independent judgment, in accordance with PRC § 21082.1(c)(3), in the preparation of the EIR. The review, analysis and revision material prepared by the Project Applicant and its consultants, and the review, analysis, and revision of the EIR based on comments received during the public comment,process. Having received, reviewed, and considered the information in the FEIR, as well as any and all other information in the record, the City hereby makes these Findings pursuant to and in accordance with PRC §§ 21081, 21081.5, and 21081.6. SECTION 2. GENERAL CEQA FINDINGS Pursuant to PRC § 21081 and CEQA Guidelines § 15091, no public agency shall approve or carry out a project for which an EIR has been certified which identifies one or more significant effects on the environment that would occur if the project is approved or carried out unless the public agency makes one or more of the following findings with respect to each significant impact: 1. Changes or alterations have been required in, or incorporated into, the project which mitigates or avoid the significant effects on.the environment. [referred to in these Findings as "Finding 1"]. 2. Those changes or alterations are within the responsibility and jurisdiction of another public agency and have been, or can and should be, adopted by that other agency. [referred to in these Findings as "Finding 2"]. 3. Specific economic, legal, social, technological, or other consideration, including considerations for the provision of employment opportunities for highly trained workers, make infeasible the mitigation measures or alternatives identified in the environmental impact report. (The concept of infeasibility also encompasses whether,a particular alternative or mitigation measure promotes the Project's underlying goals and.objectives, Jersey Industrial Complex Project Findings of Fact January 2022 4 FINDINGS OF FACT jjANCFio . . CucAMONGA. and whether an alternative or mitigation measure is impractical or undesirable from a policy standpoint. See, California Native Plant Society v. City of Santa Cruz (2009) 177 Cal. App. 4th 957; City of Del Mar v. City of San Diego (1982) 133 Cal. App.3d 410). [referred to in these Findings as"Finding 3"]. The City has made one or more of the required written findings for each significant impact associated with the Project. Those written findings, along with a presentation of facts in support of each of the written findings, are presented below. The City certifies these findings are based on full appraisal of all viewpoints, including all comments received up to the date of adoption of these findings, concerning the environmental issues identified and discussed. The mitigation measures adopted as part of the Project are feasible and mitigate the environmental impacts,to the maximum extent feasible and possible as discussed in the findings made below. The FEIR includes minor clarifications to the DEIR. These changes made to the DEIR are shown in the FEIR in response to individual comments and are shown in strikethrough and underline text. Thus, it is the finding 'of the City that such clarifying changes as described in the FEIR, do not present any new,significant information requiring recirculation or additional environmental review under PRC §21092.1 and CEQA Guidelines § 15088.5. A Mitigation Monitoring and Reporting Program MRP for the Project has been adopted pursuant to the requirements of PRC § 21081.6 to ensure implementation of the adopted mitigation measures to reduce significant effects on the environment and is included in the FEIR document. The City is the custodian of the documents and other material that constitute the record of the proceedings upon which certification of the FEIR for the Project is based, as described above in Section 1.3, Custodian and Location of Records. It is the finding of the City of Rancho Cucamonga's City Council that the FEIR, as presented for review and approval, fulfills environmental review requirements for the Project, and that the document constitutes a complete, accurate, adequate, and good faith effort at full disclosure under CEQA, and reflects the independent judgment of the City. SECTION 3. FINDINGS REGARDING ENVIRONMENTAL EFFECTS DETERMINED TO HAVE NO IMPACT For the following significance thresholds, the City finds that, based upon substantial evidence in the record,the proposed Project would have no impact; therefore, no mitigation is required, and no significant, unavoidable adverse_impacts would occur.. Jersey.Industrial Complex Project Findings of Fact January 2022 5 cu� FINDINGS OF FACT CucnMoncn 3.1. Aesthetics Significance Threshold: Would the project substantially damage scenic resources, including, but not limited to, trees, rock outcroppings, and historic buildings along a scenic highway? Basis of Conclusion: There are no state or County eligible or designated state scenic highways in the City of Rancho Cucamonga. The nearest officially designated scenic highway is State Route (SR) 2 (Angeles Crest Scenic Highway), located on the north side of the San Gabriel Mountains and approximately 12 miles from the northern City boundary. No scenic resources are located within or adjacent to the project site. Given the distance between.the Project Site and the nearest officially designated state scenic highways, the proposed Project would not substantially damage scenic resources, including, but not limited to, trees, rock outcroppings, and historic buildings within a state scenic highway. Therefore, no impacts to scenic resources would be anticipated. Supportive Evidence: Please refer to DEIR page 5-4. 3.2. Agriculture and Forestry Resources Significance Threshold: Would the project convert Prime Farmland, Unique Farmland, or Farmland of Statewide Importance(Farmland), as shown on the maps prepared pursuant to the Farmland Mapping and Monitoring Program of the California Resources Agency, to non-agricultural use? Basis of Conclusion: According to the California Department of Conservation's California Important Farmland Finder, the proposed Project site does not contain Prime Farmland, Unique Farmland, Farmland of Statewide Importance, or Farmland of Local Importance. The site is classified as"Urban and Built-Up Land"by the Farmland Finder.The Project site does not contain Prime Farmland, Unique Farmland, or Farmland of Statewide Importance. No impact to these resources would occur. Supportive Evidence: Please refer to DEIR pages 5-5 through 5-6. Significance Threshold: Would the project conflict with existing zoning for agricultural use or a Williamson Act contract? Basis of Conclusion: The Project site,is zoned MI/HI and designated Heavy Industrial in the General Plan Update (2010). The Heavy Industrial designation permits heavy manufacturing, compounding, processing or fabrication, warehousing, storage, freight handling, and truck services and terminals, as well as supportive service commercial uses. This district is intended for Industrial use. Additionally, the Project site is not enrolled in a Williamson Act contract. As-a Jersey Industrial Complex Project Findings of Fact . January 2022 6 Irf 1 FINDINGS OF FACT RANcno - CUCAMONGA result, no impacts related to conflicts with agricultural zoning or a Williamson act contract would occur. No impact would occur. Supportive Evidence: Please refer to DEIR page 5-6. Significance Threshold: Would the project conflict with existing zoning for, or cause rezoning of, forest land(as defined in PRC Section 12220(g)) or timberland(as defined in PRC Section 4526), or timberland zoned Timberland Production (as defined by Government Code section 51104(g))? Basis of Conclusion: Neither the Project site nor surrounding areas are zoned for forest use or timber production. The site has not been used for timber production or commercial agriculture. The Project would not conflict with any zoning designations designed to preserve timber or agricultural resources. No impact would occur. Supportive Evidence: Please refer to DEIR page 5-6. Significance Threshold: Would the project result in the loss of forest land or conversion of forest land to non-forest use? Basis of Conclusion: There is no forest land on or in the vicinity of the proposed Project site. The Project would not result in the loss of forest land or conversion of forest land to non-forest use. No impact would occur. Supportive Evidence: Please refer to DEIR page 5-6. Significance Threshold: Would the project involve other changes in the existing environment that, due to their location or nature, could individually or cumulatively result in loss of Farmland to nonagricultural use or conversion of forest land to non-forest use? Basis of Conclusion: There is no farmland or forest land located within or near the proposed Project site. The Project would not involve any changes that could result in the loss or conversion of farmland or forest land to other uses. No impact would occur. Supportive Evidence: Please refer to DEIR page 5-6. 3.3. Biological Resources Significance Threshold: Would the project have a substantial adverse effect on any riparian habitat or other sensitive natural community identified in local or regional plans, policies, or regulations, Jersey Industrial Complex Project Findings of Fact January 2022 7 FINDINGS OF FACT CUCAMONCA or by the California Department of Fish and Game or U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service? Basis of Conclusion: The Project site does not support riparian habitat; United States Army Corps of Engineers (USACE), California Department of Fish and Wildlife (CDFW), or Regional Water Quality Control Board (RWQCB) jurisdictional areas; wetlands; or, sensitive natural communities. Therefore, no impact would occur. Supportive Evidence: Please refer to DEIR page 5-7. Significance Threshold: Would the project have a substantial adverse effect on state or federally protected wetlands(including, but not limited to, marsh, vernal pool, coastal, etc.) through direct removal, filling, hydrological interruption, or other means? Basis of Conclusion: The Project site does not support riparian habitat; non-wetland jurisdictional resources;wetlands; or, sensitive natural communities. Therefore, no impact would occur. Supportive Evidence: Please refer to DEIR page 5-7. Significance Threshold: Would the project interfere substantially with the movement of any native resident or migratory fish or wildlife species or with established native resident or migratory wildlife corridors, or impede the use of native wildlife nursery sites? Basis of Conclusion: The Project site is isolated from regional wildlife corridors and linkages, and there are no riparian corridors, creeks, or useful patches of steppingstone habitat (natural areas) within or connecting the Project site to any identified wildlife corridors or linkages. No impact would occur. Supportive Evidence: Please refer to DEIR page 5-7. Significance Threshold: Would the project conflict with any local policies or ordinances protecting biological resources, such as a tree preservation policy or ordinance? Basis of Conclusion: The Project site does not contain any trees that would qualify as Heritage Trees under the City's Municipal Code and no street trees would be removed during site preparation. Further, there are no Habitat Conservation Plans or Natural Community Conservation Plans that are applicable to the area. No impact would occur. Supportive Evidence: Please refer to DEIR page 5-8. Jersey Industrial Complex Project Findings of Fact January 2022 8 f I - FINDINGS OF FACT RANciio' CUCAMONGA Significance Threshold: Impact- Would the project conflict with the provisions of an adopted habitat conservation plan, natural community conservation plan, or any other approved local, regional, or state habitat conservation plan? Basis of Conclusion: The. Project site is not within an adopted Habitat Conservation Plan; Natural Communities Conservation Plan; or other approved local, regional, or State habitat conservation plan area. Therefore, implementation of the Project would not conflict with the provisions of an adopted plan and no impacts would occur. Supportive Evidence: Please refer to DEIR page 5-8. 3.4. Cultural Resources Significance Threshold: Would the project cause a substantial adverse change in the significance of a historical resource pursuant to §15064.5? Basis of Conclusion: The Project site has not been developed; thus, there are no structures or other features that may be determined a historical resource pursuant to CEQA Guidelines §15064.5. No recorded resources are located within the area of potential effect (APE). The Project site is not part of a historic district nor would historic resources be affected by the Project. No impact would occur. Supportive Evidence: Please refer to DEIR page 4-53. 3.5. Energy Significance Threshold: Would the project conflict with or obstruct a state or local plan for renewable energy or energy efficiency? Basis of Conclusion: The Project would not conflict with or obstruct a State or local plan for renewable energy or energy efficiency. No impact would occur. Supportive Evidence: Please refer to DEIR page 5-9. 3.6. Geology and Soils Significance Threshold: Would the project directly or indirectly cause potential substantial adverse effects, including the risk of loss, injury, or death from landslides? Basis of Conclusion: The Project site does not exhibit sloped conditions, adverse geologic conditions, or weak earth materials.and is not at risk for seismic induced landslides. The Project would not expose people or structures to potential substantial adverse effects, including the risk of loss, injury, or death involving landslides. No impact would occur. Jersey Industrial Complex Project Findings of Fact January 2022 • • 9 ,-,RANCHO FINDINGS OF FACT CUCAMONGA Supportive Evidence: Please refer to DEIR page 5-9. Significance Threshold: Be located on expansive soil, as defined in Table 18-1-B of the UBC(1994), creating substantial direct or indirect risks to life or property? Basis of Conclusion: As stated in the General Plan EIR, Section 4.7, Geology/Soils, expansive soils are soils with a significant amount of clay particles that have the ability to shrink or swell with water. When these soils swell, they exert pressure on building foundations and may cause damage. Soils in the City of Rancho Cucamonga and its sphere of influence have relatively low amounts of clay and no soil expansion hazards are present No impact would occur related to expansive soils. Supportive Evidence: Please refer to DEIR page 4-64. Significance Threshold: Would the project have soils that are incapable of supporting the use of septic tanks or alternative wastewater disposal systems where sewers are not available for the disposal of wastewater? Basis of Conclusion: No septic tanks or alternative wastewater systems will be constructed as part of the proposed Project and no impacts will occur. Supportive Evidence: Please refer to DEIR page 5-9. 3.7. Hazards and Hazardous Materials Significance Threshold: Would the project be located on a site which is included on a list of hazardous material sites compiled pursuant to Government Code Section 65962.5 and, as a result, would it create a significant hazard to the public or the environment? Basis of Conclusion: Slag fill material was identified on the site that was determined to be hazardous. The site was remediated consistent with the Phase II Investigation and Remediation Plan; however, no state or local CUPA oversight occurred.As referenced in the Site Remediation Report (July 2020), a total of 12,364 tons of hazardous material was removed from the site and disposed of at the La Paz County landfill, Arizona. Based on the,amount of material excavated and properly disposed of offsite, visual evidence and verification_sampling of remaining soils, it was concluded that constituents within the soil remaining on-site are below the agreed upon Department of Toxic Substance Control (DTSC) regulatory cleanup levels. The Project site is not on the Cortese list, nor on databases maintained by either the DTSC or the State Water Resources Control Board (SWRCB). Further, there are no .Cortese listed sites located in proximity to the Project site. The Project is not located on a site included on a list Jersey Industrial Complex Project Findings of Fact January 2022 10 • 1 1 FINDINGS OF FACT ',RANCHO UCAMONGA compiled pursuant to Government Code Section 65962.5. No impact would occur and no mitigation is required. Supportive Evidence: Please refer to DEIR pages 5-10 through 5-11. Significance Threshold: Would the project emit hazardous emissions or handle hazardous or acutely hazardous materials, substances, or waste within %mile of an existing or proposed school? Basis of Conclusion: No existing or proposed schools are located within one-quarter mile of the Project site. The nearest school to the Project site is the Rancho Cucamonga Middle School which is located at 10022 Feron Boulevard in Rancho Cucamonga approximately 2.6 miles west of the site. Cucamonga Elementary School is located at 8677 Archibald Avenue approximately 2.9 miles west of the site.Accordingly,the Project would not emit hazardous emissions or handle hazardous or acutely hazardous materials, substances, or waste within one-quarter mile of an I existing or proposed school. No impact would occur. Supportive Evidence: Please refer to DEIR page 5-10. Significance Threshold: For a project located within an airport land use plan or, where such a plan has not been adopted, within two miles of a public airport or public use airport, would the project result in a safety hazard for people residing or working in the project area? Basis of Conclusion: Ontario International Airport is located approximately 3.8 miles southwest of the Project site. The proposed Project is located within the Airport Influence Area and Airport Land Use Compatibility Zone E as shown in the Ontario Airport Land Use Compatibility Plan (ALUCP) Map 2-. There are no specific land use constraints within Zone E that would apply to the Project. The proposed Project would not result in a safety concern for people residing in proximity to Ontario International Airport. No impact would occur. Supportive Evidence: Please refer to DEIR page 5-10. Significance Threshold: Impair implementation of or physically interfere with an adopted emergency response plan or emergency evacuation plan? Basis of Conclusion: The proposed Project would not obstruct access,to the Project vicinity through road closures or other project actions that could impact evacuation routes or otherwise impair evacuation during emergencies. Access to areas surrounding the site via Milliken Avenue and Jersey Boulevard would be maintained. No impact would occur. Supportive Evidence: Please refer to DEIR page 5-10. Jersey Industrial Complex Project Findings of Fact January 2022 11 imiNk IFINDINGS OF FACT Rvcxo CUCAMONGA Significance Threshold: Expose people or structures, either directly or indirectly, to a significant risk of loss, injury, or death involving wildland' fires? Basis of Conclusion: The Project site is not located within a designated fire hazard area or a Very High Fire Hazard Severity Zone within a Local Responsibility Area. The Project would not expose people or structures to a significant risk associated with wildland fires. No impact would occur. Supportive Evidence: Please refer to DEIR page 5-10. 3.8. Hydrology and Water Quality Significance Threshold: Would the project, in flood hazard, tsunami, or seiche zones, risk release of pollutants due to project inundation? Basis of Conclusion: The Project site is not within a 100-year flood zone, is not within a tsunami zone, and is not within proximity to an enclosed or partially enclosed body of water that is capable of producing seiches. Therefore, there would be no impact related to risk of release of pollutants due to inundation of the Project site from a flood, tsunami or seiche. Supportive Evidence: Please refer to DEIR page 42101. Significance Threshold: Would the project conflict with or obstruct implementation of a water quality control plan or sustainable groundwater management plan? Basis of Conclusion: The Project site is within the Santa Ana River Basin and the Project would not conflict with the Santa Ana Basin Plan. Additionally, the Project would be consistent with the City of Rancho Cucamonga MS4 Permit. No impact would occur. Supportive Evidence: Please refer toDEIR pages 4-101 through 4-102. 3.9. Land Use and Planning Significance Threshold: Would.the,project physically divide an established community? Basis of Conclusion: The Project site is surrounded by warehouse/industrial uses to the north, east and west and Fire Station#174.and training facility to the south. The proposed Project would utilize the existing road network and not result in the construction of improvements that would physically divide an existing community or otherwise impact circulation on public roads surrounding the site. No impact would occur. Supportive Evidence: Please refer to DEIR page 5-12. Jersey Industrial Complex Project Findings of Fact - January 2022 • . 12 • 401 , FINDINGS OF FACT jtANC110 CUCMIDNGA Significance Threshold: Would the project cause a significant environmental impact due to conflict with any land use plan,policy, or regulation adopted for the purpose of avoiding or mitigating an environmental effect? Basis of Conclusion: Implementation of the Project would not result in conflicts with any local or regional land use plan, policy, or regulation adopted for the purpose of avoiding or mitigating an environmental effect. The Project is consistent with the Rancho Cucamonga General Plan (2010) and Zoning Code. No impact would occur. Supportive Evidence: Please refer to DEIR pages 5-12 through 5-13. 3.10. Mineral Resources Significance Threshold: Would the project result in the loss of availability of a known mineral resource that would be of value to the region and the residents of the state? Basis of Conclusion: The Project site is not part of an area known to have significant local sand and gravel resources.As stated in the General Plan EIR,the mineral resources are primarily sand and gravel deposits within the alluvial fans in and near Lytle Creek(San Sevaine Wash and Etiwanda Creek), San Antonio Creek, Cucamonga Creek, Deer Creek, and Day Creek. These alluvial fans generally start at the canyons at the base of the San Gabriel Mountains, north of the City. While the northern portion of these fans remain undeveloped, the creeks have been channelized in and near the City of Rancho Cucamonga and in developed areas along creeks. Implementation of the Project would not result in the loss of, availability of a known mineral resource that would be of value to the region or to the residents of the State of California. No impact would result. Supportive Evidence: Please refer to DEIR page 5-13. Significance Threshold: Would the project result in the loss of availability of a locally important mineral resource recovery site delineated on a local general plan, specific plan, or other land use plan? Basis of Conclusion: The Project site is not located in an area of known sand and gravel deposits and is not identified in the General Plan as a locally-important mineral resource recovery site. Implementation of the Project would not result in the loss of availability of a known mineral resource that would be of value to the region or to the residents of the State of California. No impact would result. Supportive Evidence: Please refer to DEIR page 5-13. Jersey Industrial Complex Project Findings of Fact January 2022 13 RAMC FINDINGS OF FACT ',RANCH 3.11. Noise Significance Threshold: For a project located within the vicinity of a private airstrip or an airport land use plan or, where such a plan has not been adopted, within 2 miles of a public airport or public use airport, would the project expose people residing or working in the project area to excessive noise levels? Basis of Conclusion: The Project site is located approximately 3.8 miles northwest of Ontario International Airport. There are no private airstrips in proximity to the site. The proposed Project is located within the Airport Influence Area and Airport Land Use Compatibility Zone E as shown in the Ontario ALUCP Map 2-1. No airport noise limits are associated with Zone E. No impact would occur. Supportive Evidence: Please refer to DEIR page 5-14. 3.12. Population and Housing Significance Threshold: Would the project induce substantial unplanned population growth in an area, either directly(e.g., by proposing new homes and business) or indirectly(e.g., through extension,of roads or other infrastructure)? Basis of Conclusion: The Project would not construct housing, nor would it extend roads or other infrastructure into previously unserved areas. Thus, the Project would not directly or indirectly induce population growth. No impact related to unplanned population growth would result from Project implementation. Supportive Evidence: Please refer to DEIR page 5-14. Significance Threshold: Would the project displace substantial numbers of existing people or housing, necessitating the construction of replacement housing elsewhere? Basis of Conclusion: Construction of the proposed Project would not require the removal of existing housing; and thus, would not result in the displacement of people or require the construction of replacement housing elsewhere. No impact would occur. Supportive Evidence: Please refer to DEIR page 5-14. 3.13. Public Services Significance Threshold: Would the project result in substantial adverse physical impacts associated with the provision of new or physically altered governmental facilities or a need for new or physically Jersey Industrial Complex Project Findings of Fact January 2022 14 FINDINGS OF FACT RANCHO' CUCAMONCA altered governmental facilities, the construction of which could cause significant environmental impacts, in order to maintain acceptable service ratios, response times, or other performance objectives for any of the public services including other public facilities? v.) Other Public Facilities: Basis of Conclusion: The Project would not increase the population of Rancho Cucamonga or otherwise affect demand for library services. No new or expanded library services would be required. No impact would occur. Supportive Evidence: Please refer to DEIR page 5-16. 3.14. Recreation Significance Threshold: Would the project increase the use of existing neighborhood and regional parks or other recreational facilities such that substantial physical deterioration of the facility would occur or be accelerated? Basis of Conclusion: The Project does not propose any uses that would directly generate a population that would increase the use of existing neighborhood and regional parks or other recreational facilities. The Project would not add additional residences or business that would increase demand for any park or other recreational facility in the area. No impact would occur. Supportive Evidence: Please refer to DEIR pages 5-16 through 5-17. Significance Threshold: Does the project include recreational facilities or require the construction_or expansion of recreational facilities that might have an adverse physical effect on the environment? Basis of Conclusion: No additional park land would be required to accommodate the Project, nor would staff contribute to an exceedance of the capacity of existing park capacity. The payment of impact fees by the Project applicant, if required,would contribute to funding available for improvements to existing park resources. No impact would occur. Supportive Evidence: Please refer to DEIR page 5-17. 3.15. Transportation/Traffic Significance Threshold: Would the project substantially increase hazards due to a geometric design feature(e.g., sharp curves or dangerous intersections) or incompatible uses(e.g., farm equipment)? Jersey Industrial Complex Project Findings of Fact January 2022 . 15 rf FINDINGS OF FACT ,RANCHOUCAMONOA Basis of Conclusion: Road improvements would be limited to the driveways on the south and east side of the Project.site and would be constructed consistent with Rancho Cucamonga Municipal Code. The Project would not increase hazards caused by a design feature or incompatible use. No impact would occur. Supportive Evidence: Please refer to DEIR page 5-17. Significance Threshold: Would the project result in inadequate emergency access? Basis of Conclusion: The Project would not alter emergency access routes. The road improvements would be constructed consistent with Rancho Cucamonga Municipal Code to ensure safe truck, vendor/employee and emergency vehicle access. The Project would not impair or otherwise adversely affect emergency vehicle circulation or access to the site or other properties in the area. No impact would occur. Supportive Evidence: Please refer to DEIR page 5-17. 3.16. Utilities and Service Systems Significance Threshold: Would the project comply with federal, state, and local management and reduction statutes and regulations related to solid waste? Basis of Conclusion: Construction and operation associated with implementation the Project would be conducted in compliance with applicable statues and regulations related to solid waste. No impact would occur and no mitigation is required. Supportive Evidence: Please refer to DEIR page 5-20. 3.17. Wildfire Significance Threshold: Would the project require the installation or maintenance of associated infrastructure(such as roads, fuel breaks, emergency watersources,power lines or other utilities) that may exacerbate fire risk or that may result in temporary or ongoing impacts to the environment? Basis of Conclusion: The Project site is not located within a very high fire hazard severity zone, and is surrounded by development, with no wildland areas in the immediate vicinity. As such, no impact would occur. Supportive Evidence: Please refer to DEIR page 5-21. Jersey Industrial Complex Project Findings of Fact January 2022 16 FINDINGS OF FACT RANc"o G'UUANUNGA, Significance Threshold:, Would the project expose people or structures to significant risks, including downslope or downstream flooding or landslides, as a result of runoff,post-fire slope instability, or drainage changes? Basis of Conclusion: The Project site and surrounding area is relatively flat and heavily urbanized. Additionally,.the.Project site is not located within a 1.00-year floodplain. If the area were to burn, fires are anticipated to be isolated and not expected to result in substantive risk from landslide or mudflows caused by run-off, post-fire slope instability or drainage changes. No .. impact would occur. Supportive Evidence: Please refer to DEIR page 5-22. SECTION 4. FINDINGS REGARDING ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACTS FOUND TO BE LESS THAN SIGNIFICANT (NO MITIGATION REQUIRED) The City agrees with the characterization in the Final EIR with respect to impacts identified as "less than significant impact" and finds that, based upon substantial evidence in the record, as discussed below,the following impacts associated with the Project are not significant or are less than significant, and do not require mitigation, as described in the Final EIR. Under CEQA, no mitigation measures are required for impacts that are less than significant. (Pub. Resources Code, § 21002;. CEQA Guidelines,.:§§ 15126.4, subd. (a)(3); 15091.) Note that impacts are presented below in summary form. For a full description of impacts, see the appropriate text in the EIR, which the Council hereby incorporates by reference into these Findings. 4.1. Aesthetics Significance Threshold: Would the project have a substantial adverse effect on a scenic vista? Basis of Conclusion: The Project site does not contain scenic resource and would be consistent with the overall context of the surrounding area. The Project would not have a:. substantial adverse effect on a scenic vista, resulting in a less than significant impact. Supportive Evidence: Please refer to DEIR pages 5-2 through 5-4. Significance Threshold: Would the project conflict with applicable zoning and other regulations governing:scenic quality? Basis of Conclusion: The Project site is within an urbanized area of the City of Rancho Cucamonga. As such, the analysis for this threshold is based on the review of the potential for . . Jersey Industrial Complex Project Findings of Fact 17 January2022 it RANCHO FINDINGS OF FACT CUCAMONGA - the Project to conflict with applicable zoning and other regulations governing scenic quality. The Project would not conflict with the applicable, zoning and other regulations governing scenic quality, including Rancho Cucamonga Development Code standards and General Plan polices. A less than significant impact would occur. Supportive Evidence: Please refer to DEIR pages 5-4 through 5-5. Significance Threshold: Would the project create a new source of substantial light or glare which would adversely affect day or nighttime views in the area? Basis of Conclusion: The Project site is located in an urban area, which includes existing sources of light and glare. The Project would add new lighting to the site. All outdoor street lighting and on-site security lighting and landscape lighting would be designed to City of Rancho Cucamonga Municipal Code standards. Impacts would be less than significant. Supportive Evidence: Please refer to DEIR page 5-5. 4.2. Air Quality Significance Threshold: ' Would the project conflict with or obstruct implementation of the applicable air quality plan? Basis of Conclusion: The Project area is within the South Coast Air Basin and therefore is under the jurisdiction of the South Coast Air Quality Management District (SCAQMD). The SCAQMD has two criteria used to determine consistency with the Air Quality Management Plan (AQMP). The Project would complywith both of the AQMP's criteria.Therefore,the Project would be compliant with the applicable AQMP. Impacts would be less than significant. Supportive Evidence: Please refer to DEIR pages 4-19 through 4-20. Significance Threshold Would the project expose sensitive receptors to substantial pollutant concentrations? Basis of Conclusion: The Project would not expose sensitive receptors (e.g., residents, workers or school children) to substantial pollutant concentrations, including localized criteria pollutant emissions during construction and operation, mobile source and construction-related diesel particulate matter(DPM) emissions, or carbon monoxide (CO) "Hot Spots". Impacts would be less than significant. Supportive Evidence: Please refer to DEIR pages 4-24 through 4-26. Significance Threshold: Would the project create objectionable odors affecting a substantial number of people? Jersey Industrial Complex Project Findings of Fact . January 2022 : 18 r FINDINGS OF FACT jjnnciio CLiCAMONGA - .. Basis of Conclusion: The proposed Project would generate odors from construction (i.e., diesel exhaust, asphalt): Construction emissions would not exceed SCAQMD impact thresholds and would be short-term in duration. Thus, short-term odors are not expected to be significant. Operation of the warehouse facility would not cause odors. Impacts would be less than significant. Supportive Evidence: Please refer to DEIR page 4-26. 4.3. Energy Significance Threshold: Would the project result in potentially significant environmental impact due to wasteful, inefficient, or unnecessary consumption of energy resources,during project construction or operation? Basis of Conclusion: The Project would adhere to the state-mandated provisions of California' Energy Code Title 24. The Project would not result in wasteful, inefficient, or unnecessary consumption of energy, or wasteful use of energy resources, during Project construction or operation. Impacts would be less than significant. Supportive Evidence: Please refer to DEIR pages 5-8 through 5-9. 4.4. Geology and Soils Significance_Threshold: Would the project directly or indirectly cause potential substantial adverse effects, including the risk of loss, injury, or death involving rupture of a known earthquake fault, as delineated on the most recent Alquist Priolo Earthquake Fault Zoning Map issued by the state geologist for the area or based on other substantial evidence of a known fault or strong seismic ground shaking? Basis of Conclusion: The Project site is not in a fault hazard area; nor is the Project site within a mapped Alquist-Priolo Earthquake Fault Zone. The Project site is within a seismically active region. As such,.the Project's proposed structures may be subject to moderate to large seismic events, resulting in strong seismic ground shaking. The Project would be required to comply with the California Building Code (CBC) and would be.required to incorporate the recommendations from the Geotechnical Investigation,which would ensure that people and/or structures would not be exposed to potential substantial adverse effects from strong seismic ground shaking. Impacts.. would be less than significant. Supportive Evidence: Please referto DEIR page 4-62. Jersey Industrial Complex Project Findings of Fact January 2022 19 . jjnNCHO FINDINGS OF FACT CUCAMONGA Significance Threshold: Would the project directly or indirectly cause potential substantial adverse effects, including the risk of loss, injury, or death from seismic-related ground failure, including liquefaction? Basis of Conclusion: Groundwater was not encountered during site borings and groundwater within the Project area is likely of sufficient depth that liquefaction during a seismic event is unlikely. The potential for encountering groundwater and related impacts associated with liquefaction at the Project site is considered low. Impacts would be less than significant. Supportive Evidence: Please refer to DEIR pages 4-62 through 4-63. Significance Threshold: Would the project result in substantial soil erosion or the loss of topsoil? Basis of Conclusion: The Project site is flat, limiting erosion potential. Construction activities would be conducted in compliance regulations pertaining to protection of water quality. With adherence to existing regulations and requirements,there would be a less than significant impact related to erosion during construction and operation. Supportive Evidence: Please refer to DEIR pages 4-63 through 4-64. Significance Threshold: Would the project be located on a geologic unit or soil that is unstable, or that would become unstable as a result of the project, and potentially result in on or off-site landslide, lateral spreading, subsidence, liquefaction, or collapse? Basis of Conclusion: The Project would be required to incorporate the recommendations from the Geotechnical Investigation, which would ensure that these hazards would be reduced with proper site preparation. No groundwater was encountered during site borings and groundwater within the Project area is likely of sufficient depth that liquefaction during a seismic event is unlikely. Further, the site has dense subsurface soil conditions. Thus, potential impacts related to land subsidence or lateral spreading would be less than significant. Supportive Evidence: Please refer to DEIR page 4-64. Significance Threshold: Would the project directly or indirectly destroy a unique paleontological resource or site or unique geologic feature? Basis of Conclusion: The majority of the City is underlain by bedrock consisting of surficial sedimentary or metamorphic rocks that are unlikely to contain significant vertebrate fossils; however,there may be sedimentary deposits at a greater depth. The Geotechnical Report states that soils below the site to a depth of 16 feet bgs are comprised of native soil containing alluvial sand, fine to course-grained, silty, gravelly, dry to damp material.:The Project would not excavate more than approximately four feet below bgs for the building footings, utilities and related Jersey Industrial Complex Project Findings of Fact ' January 2022 20 RANCHO FINDINGS OF FACT CUCAMoNGA - improvements. The surficial sediment at depths that would be encountered by project excavations are unlikely to contain vertebrate fossils. No paleontological resources were discovered during remediation activities nor are these resources known to occur:in the area, particularly at depths that would be excavated by the Project. Excavation depths would be limited to that needed to grade the site and construct building foundations and subsurface utilities and improvements. Impacts would be less than significant. Supportive Evidence: Please refer to DEIR pages 5-9 through 5-10. 4.5. Greenhouse Gas Emissions Significance Threshold: Would the project generate greenhouse gas emissions, either directly or indirectly, that may have a significant impact on the environment? Basis of Conclusion: Construction and operation of the Project, would not exceed the South Coast Air Quality Management District (SCAQMD)/City screening threshold for greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions and would not generate a net increase in GHG emissions, either directly or indirectly, that may significantly impact the environment. GHG emissions impacts would be less than significant. Supportive Evidence: Please refer to DEIR page 4-75. Significance Threshold: Would the project conflict with an applicable plan,policy or regulation adopted for the purpose of reducing the emissions of greenhouse gases? Basis of Conclusion:The Project would not conflict with an applicable plan, policy, or regulation adopted for the purpose of reducing GHG emissions, including Senate. Bill (SB) 32 and the California Air Resources Board (CARB) 2017 Scoping Plan, Connect SoCal, and the City of Rancho Cucamonga Sustainable Community Action Plan. This impact is less than significant and no mitigation is required. Supportive Evidence:.Please refer to DEIR pages 4-76 through 4-81. 4.6. Hazards and Hazardous Materials Significance Threshold: Would the project create a significant hazard to the public or the environment through the routine transport,,use, or disposal of hazardous materials? Basis of Conclusion: Construction and operation of the Project would involve handling of hazardous materials in limited quantities and typical to developed environments. Based on the site investigation and remediation work performed to date, encountering hazardous materials during construction is not anticipated. Through compliance with existing applicable regulations, Jersey.Industrial Complex Project Findings of Fact . January 2022 21 rf FINDINGS OF FACT RANCHO CUCAMONGA the Project would not pose a significant hazard to the public or the environment through the routine transport, use, storage, emission, or disposal of hazardous materials. Impacts would be less than significant. Supportive Evidence: Please refer to DEIR pages 4-87 through 4-88. Significance Threshold: Would the project create a significant hazard to the public or the environment through the reasonably foreseeable upset and accident conditions involving the likely release of hazardous materials into the environment? Basis of Conclusion: The Project would comply with existing applicable regulations and would not increase the potential for accident conditions which could result in the release of hazardous materials into the environment. The accidental release of hazardous materials on-site is unlikely because of the regulations in place to avoid such an event. Impacts are anticipated to be less than significant. Supportive Evidence: Please refer to DEIR pages 4-88 through 4-89. 4.7. Hydrology and Water Quality Significance Threshold: Would the project violate any water quality standards or waste discharge requirements or otherwise substantially degrade surface or ground water quality? Basis of Conclusion: Proposed drainage patterns would maintain the existing drainage pattern and the Project would be designed to convey surface flows into an underground system where it would be treated prior to percolation into subsurface soils. The Project would not substantially degrade water quality or otherwise violate discharge standards. Impacts would be less than significant. Supportive Evidence: Please refer to DEIR page 4-98. Significance Threshold: Would the project substantially decrease groundwater supplies or interfere substantially with groundwater recharge such that the project may impede sustainable groundwater management of the basin? Basis of Conclusion: The Project_site is currently pervious; and post-construction, the majority of the site would be impervious. However, all stormwater would be retained in an underground storage infiltration system and allowed to percolate into the soil.The Project would change how the site percolates water; however, overall recharge volumes within the basin would not change as a result of the Project. Thus,the Project would not directly interfere with groundwater recharge or contribute to depletion groundwater. A less than significant impact would occur. Jersey Industrial Complex Project Findings of Fact January 2022 22 AIN r I FINDINGS OF FACT ,,RANCHO CUCAMONOA .Supportive Evidence: Please refer to DEIR page 4-99. Significance Threshold: Would the project substantially alter the existing drainage pattern of the site or area, including through the alteration of the course of a stream or river, or through the addition of impervious surfaces, in a manner which would: i) Result in substantial erosion or siltation on- or off-site?; ii) Substantially increase the rate or amount of surface runoff in a manner which would result in flooding on- or off-site?; iii) Create or contribute runoff which would exceed the capacity of existing or planned stormwater drainage systems or provide substantial additional sources of polluted runoff? or; iv) Impede or redirect flood flows? Basis of Conclusion: With implementation of the stormwater system as designed, no off-site erosion or siltation would occur. The Project site is not located within'a 100-year mapped flood zone nor is it located in proximity to drainage features that would cause or contribute to flooding conditions. Thus, the Project would not expose people or structures to flood hazard from severe storm events. The Project would not substantially alter the existing drainage pattern of the site or area, including through the alteration of the course of a stream or river or through the addition of impervious surfaces, in a manner which would result in substantial erosion or siltation on- or off- site, substantially increase the rate or amount of surface runoff in a manner which would result in flooding on-or off-site, create or contribute runoff water which would exceed the capacity of existing or planned stormwater drainage systems or provide substantial additional sources of polluted runoff, or impede or redirect flood flows. Impacts would be:less than significant and no mitigation is required. Supportive Evidence: Please refer to DEIR pages 4-99 through 4-101_. 4.8. Noise Significance Threshold: Would the project result in generation of a substantial temporary or permanent increase in ambient noise levels in the vicinity of the project in excess of standards established in the local general plan or noise ordinance, or applicable standards of other agencies? Basis of Conclusion: The Project would not result in the generation of a substantial temporary or permanent increase in ambient noise levels in the vicinity of the project in excess of standards Jersey Industrial Complex Project Findings of Fact January 2022 23 jZnnGlw FINDINGS OF FACT CUCANIONGA established in the local general plan or noise ordinance, or applicable standards of other agencies. Noise levels would be below the thresholds of the Rancho Cucamonga Municipal Code for construction and operations. This impact is less than significant and no mitigation is required. Supportive Evidence: Please refer to DEIR pages 4-109 through 4-113. Significance Threshold: Would the project result in generation of excessive groundborne vibration or groundborne noise levels? Basis of Conclusion: The Project would not result in the generation of excessive groundborne vibration or groundborne noise levels during construction or operation. This impact is less than significant and no mitigation is required. Supportive Evidence: Please refer to DEIR pages 4-113 through 4-114. 4.9. Public Services Significance Threshold: Would the project result in substantial adverse physical impacts associated with the provision of new or physically altered governmental facilities or a need for new or physically altered governmental facilities, the construction of which could cause significant environmental impacts, in order to maintain acceptable service ratios, response times, or other performance objectives for any of the public services: Fire Protection, Police Protection, Schools and Parks: Basis of Conclusion: The Project would not involve new residential uses or an increase in the City's population, and there is an existing demand for public services at the Project site associated with the existing development on-site. The Project would be developed in adherence to existing regulations relative to fire protection and required development impact fees would be paid. The Project would not increase the population of Rancho Cucamonga or otherwise affect demand for park facilities. The Project would not remove park or recreational facilities that would require replacement elsewhere. The Project would not require the construction of new or alteration of existing public service facilities to maintain an adequate level of service to the Project area, and no physical environmental impacts would result. Impacts to public services would be less than significant. Supportive Evidence: Please refer to DEIR pages 5-14 through 5-16. 4.10. Transportation/Traffic Significance Threshold: Would the project conflict with a program,plan, ordinance or policy addressing the circulation system, including transit, roadway, bicycle and pedestrian facilities? Jersey Industrial Complex Project Findings of Fact January 2022 24 IFINDINGS OF FACT RANc7Io" L'UCAAIONGA ... Basis of Conclusion: The Project would not be required to make road improvements; however, frontage and access improvements would be required per the City,of Rancho Cucamonga. This would improve overall pedestrian circulation and safety within the area. The Project would not conflict with a program, plan, ordinance, or policy addressing the circulation system, including transit, roadway, bicycle, and pedestrian facilities. This impact is less than significant and no mitigation is required. Supportive Evidence: Please refer to DEIR pages 4-122 through 4-123. Significance Threshold Would the project conflict or be inconsistent with CEQA Guidelines section 15064.3, subdivision(b)? Basis of Conclusion:The Project's VMT impact would be considered less than significant based on the City's TPA Screening VMT Area screening threshold. The Project site is located within a TPA is considered less than significant due to meeting each of the criteria for projects within TPAs: Thus, the Project would not conflict with or be inconsistent with CEQA Guidelines Section 15064.3, subdivision (b). This impact is less than significant and no mitigation is required. Supportive Evidence: Please refer to DEIR pages 4-123 through 4-125. 4.11. Utilities and Service Systems Significance Threshold: Would the project require or result in the relocation or construction of new or expanded water, wastewater treatment or storm water drainage,electric power, natural gas, or telecommunications facilities, the construction or relocation of which could cause significant environmental effects? Basis of Conclusion: The Project would create additional demand on existing facilities; however, demand would be met with existing infrastructure. No additional water or wastewater treatment facilities would be required to meet Project demand. No additional electrical or telecommunication systems would need to be constructed to meet Project demand. All waste material would be collected and disposed of in nearby landfills within permitted capacity. No additional facilities would need to be constructed to accommodate. Project demand. A less than significant impact would occur. Supportive Evidence: Please refer to DEIR pages 5-17 through 5-1,9. Significance Threshold: Would the project have sufficient water supplies available to serve the project and reasonably foreseeable future development during normal, dry and multiple dry years? Basis of Conclusion: Development allowed by the Project would require..water supplies from the CVWD. Project demand would be within the demand projections provided in the. CVWD Urban Water Management Plan. Impacts would be less than significant. Jersey Industrial Complex Project Findings of Fact January 2022 25 RANCHO FINDINGS OF FACT CUCAMONGA _ Supportive Evidence: Please refer to DEIR pages 5-19. Significance Threshold: Would the project result in a determination by the wastewater treatment provider that serves or may serve the project that it has adequate capacity to serve the project's projected demand in addition to the provider's existing commitments? Basis of Conclusion: The Inland Empire Utilities Agency(IEUA)wastewater treatment facilities have sufficient capacity to serve the Project and existing commitments. This impact would be less than significant and no mitigation is required. Supportive Evidence: Please refer to DEIR pages 5-19 through 5-20. Significance Threshold: Would the project generate solid waste in excess of State or local standards, or in excess of the capacity of local infrastructure, or otherwise impair the attainment of solid waste reduction goals? Basis of Conclusion: The Project's construction and operational refuse would be disposed of at the Mid Valley Landfill. Construction and operational activities would comply with applicable regulations addressing solid waste management. The Project would not generate solid waste in excess of State or local standards, or in excess of the capacity of local infrastructure, or otherwise impair the attainment of solid waste reduction goals. This impact would be less than significant and no mitigation is required. Supportive Evidence: Please refer to DEIR page 5-20. Significance Threshold: Would the project comply with federal, state, and local management and reduction statutes and regulations related to solid waste? Basis of Conclusion: Construction and operation associated with implementation the Project would be conducted in compliance with applicable statues and regulations related to solid waste. No impact would occur and no mitigation is required. Supportive Evidence: Please refer to DEIR pages 5-20 through 5-21. 4.12. Wildfire Significance Threshold: Would the project substantially impair an adopted emergency response plan or emergency evacuation plan? Basis of Conclusion: The Project would not alter emergency access routes. Emergency vehicle access to the site would be provided via Milliken Avenue or Jersey Boulevard. The Project would Jersey Industrial Complex Project Findings of Fact January 2022 26 IFINDINGS OF FACT RANCIIo CUCAMONGA not adversely impact traffic operations on Milliken Avenue or Jersey Boulevard and would not impact use of either street as an evacuation route. A less than significant impact would occur Supportive Evidence: Please refer to DEIR page 5-21. Significance Threshold: Would the project, due to slope,prevailing winds, and other factors, exacerbate wildfire risks, and thereby expose project occupants to,pollutant concentrations from a wildfire or the uncontrolled spread of a wildfire? Basis of Conclusion: The Project is surrounded by warehouse and industrial uses. prevailing wind is from the west and the Project is located in a flat area. Vegetation in the area is sparse and there are no areas of native habitat that could burn in the event a wildfire occurs. The Project site is not expected to be exposed to high-risks resulting from surrounding slopes or prevailing winds. Impacts would be less than significant. Supportive Evidence: Please refer to DEIR page 5-21. SECTION 5. FINDINGS REGARDING ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACTS FOUND TO BE LESS.THAN SIGNIFICANT WITH MITIGATION INCORPORATED Pursuant to PRC § 21081(a) and CEQA Guidelines § 15091(a)(1), based on substantial evidence, the City finds that for each of the impacts discussed below the Project's potentially significant impacts have been avoided, offset or reduced to less than significant levels in consideration of existing regulatory plans and programs (described in the DEIR Section 4 for each applicable impact topic), and EIR mitigation measures (as listed in Mitigation Monitoring and Reporting Program [MMRP], and summarized below). 5.1. Air Quality Impact 4.1-2: Would the project violate any air quality standard or contribute substantially to an existing or projected air quality violation? Would the project result in a cumulatively considerable net increase of any criteria pollutants for which the project region is non-attainment under an applicable federal or state ambient air quality standard? Basis for Conclusion:The air quality plan applicable to the Project is the SCAQMD's Final 2016 Air Quality Management Plan (AQMP).The Project's net operational emissions would not exceed the applicable South Coast Air Quality. Management District (SCAQMD) regional or local significance thresholds or (LST), and the Project's construction and operational characteristics Jersey Industrial Complex Project Findings of Fact January 2022 27 RANCHO FINDINGS OF FACT CUCAMONGA would not exceed the assumptions in the AQMP.Additionally, during operation,the Project would not result in a cumulatively-considerable net increase of any criteria pollutant for which the Project region is in nonattainment under an applicable federal or State ambient air quality standard, and impacts would therefore be less than significant. In terms of project-related construction emissions, the DEIR assumed that graded soils would be balanced on the Project site and that no soil import or export would be required.The Project would be required to comply with SCAQMD Rule 403, which identifies measures to reduce fugitive dust and is required to be implemented at all construction sites located within the South Coast Air Basin. Therefore, the following conditions, which are conditioned as part of the Project to reduce fugitive dust in compliance with SCAQMD Rule 403, were included in air quality model (CalEEMod) for site preparation and grading phases of construction. 1. Minimization of Disturbance. Construction contractors should minimize the area disturbed by clearing, grading, earth moving, or excavation operations to prevent excessive amounts of dust. 2. Soil Treatment. Construction contractors should treat all graded and excavated material, exposed soil areas, and active portions of the construction site, including unpaved on-site roadways to minimize fugitive dust. Treatment shall include, but not necessarily be limited to, periodic watering, application of environmentally safe soil stabilization materials, and/or roll compaction as appropriate.Watering shall be done as often as necessary, and at least twice daily, preferably in the late morning and after work is done for the day. The analysis provided herein assumes watering would occur by contractor two times daily as required per SCAQMD Rule 403. 3. Soil Stabilization. Construction contractors should monitor all graded and/or excavated inactive areas of the construction site at least weekly for dust stabilization. Soil stabilization methods, such as water and roll compaction, and environmentally safe dust control materials, shall be applied to portions of the construction site that are inactive for over four days. If no further grading or excavation operations are planned for the area, the area shall be seeded and watered until landscape growth is evident, or periodically treated with environmentally safe dust suppressants, to prevent excessive fugitive dust. 4. No Grading During High Winds. Construction contractors should stop all clearing, grading, earth moving, and excavation operations during periods of high winds (20 miles per hour or greater, as measured continuously over a one-hour period). 5. Street Sweeping. Construction contractors should sweep all on-site driveways and adjacent streets and roads at least once per day, preferably at the end of the day, if visible soil material is carried over to adjacent streets and roads. Jersey Industrial Complex Project Findings of Fact January 2022 28 t1/2 1 FINDINGS OF FACT RANCHO - CUOAMONGA - Therefore,the Project's regional air_quality impacts(including impacts related to criteria pollutants and violations of air quality standards) would be less than significant. Nonetheless, prior to mitigation the Projects construction-related emissions could exceed the SCAQMD regional thresholds for ROG. Thus, Project-related construction activities have the potential to result in an increase in the frequency or severity of existing air quality violations or cause or contribute to new violations or delay the timely attainment of air quality standards or the interim emissions reductions specified in the 2016 AQMP, resulting in a potentially significant impact. With the implementation of MM AQ-1, .which includes additional construction-related mitigation requirements to ensure that the architectural coating phase and the building phase would overlap for approximately 44 total workdays to avoid exceeding the daily ROG standard. Mitigation Measures: Based upon the analysis presented in Section 4.1,Air Quality of the DEIR, which is incorporated herein by reference,the following Mitigation Measures are feasible and are made binding'through the MM RP. Imposition of these mitigation measures will reduce potentially significant impacts to less than significant. MM AQ-1 Condition Project to overlap architectural coating phase with the building phase by approximately 44 total workdays to avoid exceeding the daily ROG standard. Prior to issuance of a building permit, the Applicant shall submit a detailed construction schedule to the City of Rancho Cucamonga which demonstrates that the architectural coating phase will overlap with the building phase by a minimum of 44 days. Finding: The City adopts CEQA Findings 1. Pursuant to Public Resources Code Section 20181(a) and State CEQA Guidelines Section 15091(a),the City hereby finds that changes or alterations have been required in, or incorporated into, the project that avoid or substantially lessen the significant effect on the environment to below a level of significance. Supportive Evidence: Please refer to DEIR pages 4-20 through 4-26. 5.2. Biological Resources Impact 4.2-1: Would the project have a substantial adverse effect, either directly or through habitat modifications, on any species identified as a candidate, sensitive,,or special status species in local or regional plans,policies, or regulations, or by the California Department of.Fish and Wildlife or the U.S. Fish, and Wildlife Service? Basis of Conclusion: The:Project site consists of undeveloped land that has been impacted by decades of anthropogenic disturbances. No special-status species were observed on-site during the habitat assessment. The Project site and surrounding areas provide limited foraging and nesting habitat for year-round and seasonal birds and migrating songbirds. While it is_unknown Jersey Industrial Complex Project Findings of Fact January 2022 29 RANCHO FINDINGS OF FACT CUCM IONGA whether nesting would occur or what species would nest on-site, if construction activities occur between February 1 through August 31st, nesting and migratory bird species covered by the MBTA could be significantly affected by construction activities. Project construction would impact nesting and migratory bird species covered by the MBTA. Implementation of MM BIO-1, which requires pre-construction surveys,would reduce impacts to nesting and migratory birds to less than significant. Mitigation Measure: Based upon the analysis presented in Section 4.2, Biological Resources of the DEIR, which is incorporated herein by reference, the following Mitigation Measures are feasible and are made binding through the MMRP. Imposition of these mitigation measures will reduce potentially•significant impacts to less than significant. MM'BIO-1 Pursuant to the MBTA and Fish and Game Code, removal of any trees,:shrubs, or any other potential nesting habitat should be conducted outside the avian nesting season. The nesting season extends from February 1 through August 31 but can vary slightly from year to year based upon seasonal weather conditions. If ground disturbance and vegetation removal cannot occur outside of the nesting season, a pre-construction clearance survey for nesting birds, shall be conducted by a qualified biologist at the direction of the Project Applicant and City of Rancho Cucamonga within three(3)days of the start of any ground disturbing activities to ensure that no nesting birds will be disturbed during construction. If an active avian nest is discovered during the pre-construction clearance-survey, construction activities can commence thereafter provided activities are able to maintain a 300-foot buffer around the active nest. For raptors and special-status species,this buffer will be expanded to 500 feet.A biological monitor shall be present during construction activities within the buffer area. to delineate the boundaries of the buffers and to monitor the active nest to ensure that nesting behavior is not adversely affected by the construction activity. If the biologist determines that bird breeding activity is being disrupted,the Project Applicant shall stop work, notify the City and coordinate with the USFWS and CDFW to agree upon an avoidance/minimization approach. Upon agreement of the avoidance/ minimization approach, work may resume subject to the revisions and continued monitoring. If burrowing owls are detected on-site during the clearance survey, in conformance with the California Staff Report's protocols, no ground-disturbing activities will be permitted within 656 feet of an occupied burrow during the breeding season (February 1 to August 31), unless otherwise authorized by CDFW. . Once the qualified biologist has determined the young have fledged and left the nest of any birds within the buffer area(s), or the nest otherwise becomes inactive under natural conditions, normal construction activities can occur. Reporting. If no active nests are found during the pre-construction clearance survey, the Project Applicant shall submit to the City of Rancho Cucamonga a brief letter report prepared by the Jersey Industrial Complex Project Findings of Fact - January 2022 - 30 FINDINGS OF FACT RANcllo CUCAMONGA biologist that documents the negative survey results. The letter report shall also indicate that no impacts to active avian nests will occur. If active nests were found, the Project Applicant shall submit a final bird survey monitoring report prepared by the Project biologist to the City, the USFWS and CDFW. The report shall include documentation of all bird surveys, monitoring activities, coordination efforts with the wildlife agencies, as-built construction drawings with an overlay of any active nests in the survey areas, photographs of habitat areas during pre-construction and postconstruction conditions, and other relevant summary information documenting that authorized impacts were not exceeded and that general compliance was achieved for the avoidance/minimization provisions and the biological monitoring program required by the wildlife agencies. Finding: The City adopts CEQA Findings 1. Pursuant to Public Resources Code Section 20181(a) and State CEQA Guidelines Section 15091(a),the City hereby finds that changes or alterations have been required in, or incorporated into, the project that avoid or substantially lessen the significant effect on the environment to below a level of significance. Supportive Evidence: Please refer to DEIR pages 4-37 through 4-39. 5.3. Cultural Resources Impact 4.3-2: Would the project cause a substantial adverse change in the significance of an archaeological resource pursuant to §15064.5? Basis of Conclusion: The Project has the potential to encounter subsurface archaeological resources during construction resulting in a potentially significant impact to previously unrecorded subsurface cultural resources prior to mitigation. Implementation of MM CUL-1 and MM CUL-2, which identify actions to be taken during construction to protect unknown resources, would reduce this impact to a less than significant level. MM CUL-1 requires a qualified archaeologist be retained to evaluate any cultural resources that are discovered during project activities. In the event that archaeological resources are discovered and avoidance cannot be ensured, MM CUL-2 requires the qualified archaeologist to develop a Monitoring and Treatment Plan. Mitigation Measures: Based upon the analysis presented in Section 4.3, Cultural Resources of the DEIR, which is incorporated herein by reference, the following Mitigation Measures are feasible and are made binding through the MMRP. Imposition of these mitigation measures will reduce potentially significant impacts to less than significant. MM CUL-1 In the event that cultural resources are discovered during project activities, all work in the immediate vicinity of the find (within a 60-foot buffer) shall cease and a.qualified Jersey Industrial Complex Project Findings of Fact January 2022 31 RANCII0 FINDINGS OF FACT CUCAMONCA archaeologist meeting Secretary of Interior standards shall be hired to assess the find. Work on the other portions of the Project outside of the buffered area may continue during this assessment period. Additionally, the San Gabriel Band of Mission Indians (SMBMI) Cultural Resources Department shall be contacted, as detailed within TCR-1, regarding any pre-contact and/or historic-era finds and be provided information after the archaeologist makes his/her initial assessment of the nature of the find, so as to provide Tribal input with regards to significance and treatment. Prior to the release of the Grading Bond, a Monitoring Report and/or Evaluation Report, which describes the results, analysis and conclusions of the cultural resource mitigation monitoring efforts shall be submitted by the qualified archaeologist, along with the Native American Monitor's notes and comments, to the City for review and approval. MM CUL-2 If significant pre-contact and/or historic-era cultural resources, as defined by CEQA(as amended, 2015), are discovered and avoidance cannot be ensured, the archaeologist shall develop a Monitoring and Treatment Plan, the drafts of which shall be provided to SMBMI for review and comment, as detailed within TCR-1.The archaeologist shall monitor the remainder of the Project and implement the Plan accordingly. Finding: The City adopts CEQA Findings 1. Pursuant to Public Resources Code Section 20181(a) and State CEQA Guidelines Section 15091(a),the City hereby finds that changes or alterations have been required in, or incorporated into, the project that avoid or substantially lessen the significant effect on the environment to below a level of significance. Supportive Evidence: Please refer to DEIR pages 4-53 through 4-55. Impact 4.3-3: Would the project disturb any human remains, including those interred outside of formal cemeteries? Basis of Conclusion: No human remains or cemeteries were identified as a result of the SCCIC search and pedestrian field survey. The potential for encountering human remains at the Project site is low, however, there is a potential to encounter subsurface remains:during construction. resulting in a potentially significant impact prior to mitigation. MM CUL-3 identifies actions that should be taken if human remains are encountered. This measure would reduce impacts to a less than significant impact. Mitigation Measures: Based upon the analysis presented in Section 4.3, Cultural Resources of the DEIR, which is incorporated herein by reference, the following Mitigation Measures are feasible and are made binding through the MMRP. Imposition of these mitigation measures will reduce potentially significant impacts to less than significant. MM CUL-3 If human remains or funerary objects are encountered during any activities associated with the Project, work in the immediate vicinity (within a 100-foot buffer of the find)' shall cease and the County Coroner shall be contacted pursuant to State Health and Safety.Code Jersey Industrial Complex Project Findings of Fact January 2022 32 IFINDINGS OF FACT RANcFIo CUCAMONGA §7050.5 and that code enforced for the duration of the Project. If the human remains are determined to be prehistoric, the coroner will notify the Native American Heritage Commission, which will determine and notify a Most Likely Descendant. The Most Likely Descendant shall complete the inspection of the site within 48 hours of notification and may recommend scientific removal and nondestructive analysis of human remains and items associated with Native American burials. Finding: The City adopts CEQA Findings 1. Pursuant to Public Resources Code Section 20181(a) and State CEQA Guidelines Section 15091(a),the City hereby finds that changes or alterations have been required in, or incorporated into, the project that avoid or substantially lessen the significant effect on the environment to below a level of significance. Supportive Evidence: Please refer to DEIR pages 4-53 through 4-55. 5.4. Tribal Cultural Resources Impact 4.10-1: Would the project cause a substantial adverse change in the significance of a Tribal cultural resource, defined in Public Resources Code section 21074 as either a site, feature,place, cultural landscape that is geographically defined in terms of the size and scope of the landscape, sacred place, or object with cultural value to a California Native American Tribe, and that is: (i) Listed or eligible for listing in the California Register of Historical Resources, or in a local register of historical resources as defined in Public Resources.Code section 5020.1(k) (ii)A resource determined by the lead agency, in its discretion and supported by substantial evidence, to be significant pursuant to criteria set forth in subdivision (c) of Public Resources Code Section 5024.1?In applying the criteria set forth in subdivision (c) of Public Resources Code Section 5024.1 for the purposes of this paragraph, the lead agency shall consider the significance of the resource to a California Native American Tribe? ' Basis of Conclusion: The combined South Central Coastal Information Center(SCCIC), Native American Heritage Commission (NAHC) sacred' land files (SLF) search, and pedestrian archaeological field survey did not identify any existing historic resources within the proposed Project: area. Further, the Project site has been heavily disturbed 'by past soil remediation Jersey Industrial Complex Project Findings of Fact ' January 2022 : 33 RANCHO FINDINGS OF FACT CUCAMONGA activities. For this reason, the Project is not anticipated to cause a substantial adverse change in the significance of a known historic resource as defined in PRC 5020.1 (k). However, if construction ground disturbance depths range within native soils (at least 1 foot or more bgs), there would be a potential to impact previously unrecorded subsurface tribal cultural resources. Implementation of MM TCR-1 through TCR-6, agreed upon during the City's consultation with the California Native American tribes, would reduce this impact to a less than significant level. TCR-1 through TCR-6 require monitoring of ground-disturbing activities, outline the parameters for the monitoring activities, and identify actions that should,be taken if tribal cultural resources or Native American human remains are encountered. These measures further ensure the proper identification and subsequent treatment of any tribal cultural resources and/or Native American human remains that may be encountered during ground-disturbing activities associated with the development of the Project. These measures would reduce impacts to a less than significant impact. Mitigation Measures: Based upon the analysis presented in Section 4.10, Tribal Cultural Resources of the DEIR, which is incorporated herein by reference, the following Mitigation Measures are feasible and are made binding through the MMRP. Imposition of these mitigation measures will reduce potentially significant impacts to less than significant. MM TCR-1 The San Gabriel Band of Mission Indians (SMBMI) Cultural Resources Department shall be contacted, as detailed in Mitigation Measure CUL-1, of any pre-contact and/or historic-era cultural resources discovered during project implementation and be provided information regarding the nature of the find, so as to provide Tribal input with regards to significance and treatment. Should the find be deemed significant, as defined by CEQA (as amended, 2015), a cultural resource Monitoring and Treatment Plan shall be created by the qualified archaeologist in coordination with SMBMI and submitted to the City of Rancho Cucamonga for review and approval. The qualified archaeologist shall be retained by the Project Applicant to implement all mitigation measures related to archaeological and historical resources. All subsequent finds shall be subject to the Monitoring and Treatment Plan. This Plan shall include tribal contact information, protocol to following should cultural resources be discovered, curation requirements and allow for a monitor to be present that represents SMBMI for the remainder of the Project's ground disturbing activities, should SMBMI elect to place a monitor on-site. MM TCR-2 Any and all archaeological/cultural documents created as a part of the Project (isolate records, site records,_ survey reports, testing reports, etc.) shall be supplied. to the applicant and the City of Rancho Cucamonga for dissemination to SMBMI. The City of Rancho Cucamonga and/or applicant shall, in good faith, consult with SMBMI until all ground disturbing activities have been completed. MM TCR-3 The Project Applicant shall be required to retain, prior to the commencement of. construction, and compensate for the services of a Tribal monitor/consultant who is both approved by the Gabrieleno Band of Mission Indians-Kizh Nation Tribal Government and is listed Jersey Industrial Complex Project Findings of Fact January 2022 . . . ' . 34 AoPPIA FINDINGS OF FACT RANCHO lAUGAMONGA under the NAHC's Tribal Contact list for the area of the Project location. This list is provided by the NAHC. The monitor/consultant will only be present on-site during the construction phases that involve ground disturbing activities. Ground disturbing activities are defined by the Gabrieleno Band of Mission Indians-Kizh Nation as activities that may include, but are not limited to, pavement removal, pot-holing or auguring, grubbing, tree removals, boring, grading, excavation, drilling, and trenching, within the Project area. The Tribal Monitor/consultant will complete daily monitoring logs that will provide descriptions of the day's activities, including construction activities, locations, soil, and any cultural materials identified.The on-site monitoring shall end when the Project site grading and excavation activities are completed, or when the Tribal Representatives and monitor/consultant have indicated that the site has a low potential for impacting Tribal Cultural Resources. MM TCR-4 Upon discovery of any archaeological resources, cease construction activities in the immediate vicinity of the find until the find can be assessed by the qualified archaeologist and/or Native American monitor. All archaeological resources unearthed by project construction activities shall be evaluated by the qualified archaeologist and tribal monitor/consultant approved by the Gabrieleno Band of Mission Indians-Kizh Nation. If the resources are Native American in origin, the Gabrieleno Band of Mission lndians-Kizh Nation shall coordinate with the landowner regarding treatment and curation of these resources. Typically, the Tribe will request reburial or preservation for educational purposes. Work may, continue on other parts of the Project while evaluation and, if necessary, mitigation takes place (CEQA Guidelines Section 15064.5 [f]). If a resource is determined by the qualified archaeologist to constitute a "historical resource" or "unique archaeological resource", time allotment and funding sufficient to allow for implementation of avoidance measures, or appropriate mitigation, must be available. The treatment plan established for the resources shall be in accordance with CEQA Guidelines Section 15O64.5(f) for historical resources. , MM TCR-5 Preservation in place (i.e., avoidance) is the preferred manner of treatment. If preservation in place is not feasible, treatment may include implementation of archaeological data recovery excavations to remove the resource along with subsequent laboratory processing and analysis. Any historic archaeological material that is not Native American in origin shall be curated at a public, non-profit institution with a research interest in the materials, such as the Natural History Museum of Los Angeles County or the Fowler Museum, if such an institution agrees to accept the material. If no institution accepts the archaeological material, they shall be offered to a local school or historical society in the area for educational purposes. MM TCR-6 Native American human remains are defined in PRC 5097.98 (d)(1) as an inhumation or cremation, and in any state of decomposition or skeletal completeness. Funerary objects, called associated grave goods in PRC 5097.98, are also to be treated according to this statute. Health and Safety Code 7050.5 dictates that any discoveries of human skeletal material shall be immediately reported to the County Coroner and excavation halted until the coroner has determined the nature of the remains. If the coroner recognizes the human remains to be those of a Native American or has reason to believe that they are those of a Native American, he or Jersey Industrial Complex Project Findings of Fact January 2022 35 At 41. Fjnncuo irf FINDINGS OF FACT Cuceniona� she shall contact, by telephone within 24 hours, the Native American Heritage Commission (NAHC) and PRC 5097.98 shall be followed. Finding: The City adopts CEQA Findings 1. Pursuant to Public Resources Code Section 20181(a) and State CEQA Guidelines Section 15091(a),the City hereby finds that changes or alterations have been required in, or incorporated into, the project that avoid or substantially lessen the significant effect on the environment to below a level of significance. Supportive Evidence: Please refer to DEIR pages 4-130 through 4-133.. SECTION 6. FINDINGS REGARDING ALTERNATIVES TO THE PROPOSED PROJECT CEQA requires that an EIR describe a range of reasonable alternatives to the project, or to the location of the project,that could feasibly attain the basic objectives of the project, and to evaluate the comparative merits of the alternatives(14 CCR 15126.6[a]). The CEQA Guidelines direct that the selection of alternatives be governed by "a rule of reason" (14 CCR 15126.6[a], [f]). As defined by the CEQA Guidelines, "The range of alternatives required in an EIR is governed by a 'rule of reason' that requires the EIR to set forth only those alternatives necessary to permit a reasoned choice.The alternatives shall be limited to ones that would avoid or substantially lessen any of the significant effects of the project. Of those alternatives, the EIR needs to examine in detail only the ones that the Lead Agency determines could feasibly attain most of the basic objectives of the project" (14 CCR 15126.6[f]). The Project objectives are set forth in DEIR Section 6.2. 6.1. Alternatives Considered and Rejected The CEQA Guidelines provide that this EIR should"identify any alternatives that were considered by the Lead Agency but were rejected as infeasible during the scoping process and briefly explain the reasons underlying the Lead Agency's determination" (14 CCR 15126.6[c]). The following is a discussion of the proposed project alternatives-developed during the scoping and planning process and the reasons they were not selected for detailed analysis in this EIR. With respect to the feasibility of potential alternatives to the proposed project, CEQA Guidelines § 15126.6(t)(I) states, "Among the factors that may be taken into account when addressing the feasibility of alternatives are site suitability, economic viability, availability of infrastructure, general plan consistency, other plans or regulatory limitations,jurisdictional boundaries . . . and whether the proponent can reasonably acquire, control or otherwise have access to the alternative site." In determining an appropriate range of project alternatives to be evaluated in this EIR, a number of possible alternatives were initially considered and then rejected. Project alternatives were Jersey Industrial Complex Project Findings of Fact January 2022 36 r, I FINDINGS OF FACT R NCHO CUCAAIONGA rejected because they could not accomplish the basic objectives of the proposed Project; they would not have resulted in a reduction of significant adverse environmental impacts; or they were considered infeasible to construct or operate. The following alternative has been rejected from further consideration: 6.2. Alternative Sites In the case of the Project, an alternative site is not considered applicable or feasible, as the Project Applicant does not own or control other undeveloped property of similar size and zoning within the City or in the immediate area. Further, construction of a project different in scope from. the proposed Project would not meet the objectives that focus on development of warehousing facilities within the City of Rancho Cucamonga. For the above reasons, the Alternative Site Alternative was found to be infeasible and therefore was rejected from further consideration. 6.3. Alternatives Selected for Further Analysis The following alternatives were addressed in the DEIR: • The No Project Alternative • The Reduced Footprint Alternative No Project Alternative Consistent with CEQA Guidelines (Section 15126:6(e)(3)(b)), the No:Project Alternative is defined as the "circumstance under which the project does not proceed." Section 15126.6(e) of the CEQA Guidelines requires analysis of a No Project alternative that(1) discusses existing site conditions at the time the NOP is prepared or the EIR is commenced, and (2) analyzes what can reasonably be expected to occur_in the foreseeable future based on current plans if the proposed Project were not approved. Under the No Project Alternative, the proposed Project would not be implemented and the site would remain undeveloped. Findings Regarding Environmental Impacts The Project would not result in any significant and unavoidable impacts;therefore,the No Project Alternative would not avoid or substantially lessen a significant and unavoidableimpact. However, the No Project Alternative would avoid the Project's less than significant impacts. Findings Regarding Project Objectives The No Project Alternative would not meet any of the Project objectives, would not realize anyof the Project's benefits resulting from the creation of employment opportunities in the City of Rancho Cucamonga to reduce the need for members of the local workforce to commute outside the area for employment and improve the jobs to housing balance. Jersey Industrial Complex Project Findings of Fact January 2022 37 jjnncuo FINDINGS OF FACT CUCAAIONOA Overall Finding: The City adopts Finding 3. The City finds that specific economic, legal, social, technological, or other considerations make this alternative infeasible. Although the No Project Alternative would avoid the Project's less than significant environmental impacts, this alternative would not meet any of the Project's objectives. Supporting Evidence: Please see DEIR Pages 6-4 through 6-5. Reduced Footprint Alternative Under this alternative, the proposed Project would be reduced by approximately 2/3 of the overall square footage of each component. The warehouse would be reduced to 93,389 square feet in four separate units, 5,364 square feet of mezzanine storage, 5,364 square feet of office space (i.e., divided into four separate spaces, one for each storage unit)and a 203-square foot electrical room. The total building area would be 104,320 square feet. The highest point of the building would be 42 feet above ground level. These would be the architectural parapets on the building frontage. A total of 73 parking spaces would be provided. The warehouse building would be oriented east/west with vehicle access to office space fronting the building from Jersey Boulevard. Truck access to the loading docks located at the rear of the building would be provided from Milliken Avenue. The truck access driveway would be gated with security cameras and monitored to ensure no unauthorized entrance to the loading area. The Reduced Footprint Alternative would provide four warehouse storage units, each with three truck loading docks (i.e., 12 total docks).Water/sewer and other utilities(i.e., electrical, communication)would be provided via existing infrastructure located on-site or within the adjacent Milliken Avenue and Jersey Boulevard corridors. All other features of the Reduced Footprint Alternative would be similar to the proposed Project. Findings Regarding Environmental Impacts The Project would not result in any significant and unavoidable impacts; therefore, the Reduced Footprint Alternative would not avoid or substantially lessen a significant and unavoidable impact. Project-level mitigation measures are required to reduce potentially significant impacts to levels considered less than significant for the following environmental resources:.biological resources (due to potential presence of Cooper's Hawk, California horned lark, burrowing owl and other nesting bird species), cultural resources(due to the potential to encounter previously unrecorded subsurface cultural resources), and tribal cultural resources (due to the potential to encounter previously unknown tribal cultural resources).- These potentially significant impacts are associated with construction activities, not operation of the Project. Both the Project and the Reduced Footprint Alternative would be required to comply with applicable regulations and would also implement the same mitigation measures required for the Project. The Reduced Project Alternative would disturb the same area as the proposed Project; however, the overall building footprint would be smaller. This would reduce the number of vehicles and trucks accessing the Project site daily. However, while the degree of impact would be incrementally less than the proposed Project for some issue areas, the impact determination Jersey Industrial Complex Project Findings of Fact January 2022 38 FINDINGS OF FACT RANcIIo CUCAMONGA .. - under the proposed Project would be similar to the proposed Project for all topical areas addressed in the Draft EIR. Findings Regarding Project Objectives The discussion below addresses the ability of the Reduced Footprint Alternative to attain the Project objectives. 4. Ensure that development of the Project site is accomplished consistent with applicable goals and policies of the City of Rancho Cucamonga as set forth in the Rancho Cucamonga General Plan. The Reduced Footprint Alternative would disturb the same area as the proposed Project; however the overall building footprint would be smaller and would not develop the site at density envisioned in the Rancho Cucamonga General Plan. Therefore, while the Reduced Footprint Alternative meets the intent of this Project objective, it does not meet it to the same extent as the Project. 5. Develop a vacant and underutilized Project site.The Reduced Footprint Alternative would develop industrial/warehouse use on the Project site; however it would not maximize development of the underutilized Project site. While the Reduced Footprint Alternative meets the intent of this Project objective, it does not meet it to the same extent as the Project. 6. Contribute to the warehousing resources in the City of Rancho Cucamonga by constructing an operating a facility this designed consistent with contemporary industry standards for operational design criteria, can accommodate a wide variety of users and are economically competitive with similar industrial buildings in the local area and region. The Reduced Footprint Alternative would develop industrial/warehouse use on the Project site, thereby meeting the intent of the Project objective. However, because a smaller warehouse building would be constructed, compared to the proposed Project, the Reduced Footprint Alternative does not meet this objective to the same extent as the Project. 7. Create employment opportunities in the City of Rancho Cucamonga to reduce the need for members of the local workforce to commute outside the area for employment and improve the jobs to housing balance. The Reduced Footprint Alternative would generate more employment opportunities than what would be generated by a vacant lot; however, it would not achieve this objective to the same extent as the Project. 8. To develop a project with an architectural design and operational characteristics that complement other existing buildings in the immediate vicinity and minimize conflicts with other nearby land uses.The Reduced Footprint Alternative would not conflict with existing architecture or the operations of nearby uses and would achieve this objective. 9. To maximize.industrial warehouse buildings in close proximity to an already- established industrial area, designated truck routes, and the State highway Jersey Industrial Complex Project Findings of Fact January 2022 39 „ RANCHO FINDINGS OF FACT CUCAMO?CA. system in order to avoid or shorten truck-trip lengths on other roadways, and avoid locating industrial warehouse buildings in close proximity to residential uses. The Reduced Footprint Alternative would develop'a smaller warehouse facility, compared to the proposed Project and would not maximize the amount of available industrial warehouse space, and therefore, would not meet this Project objective. 10. To develop a property that has access to available infrastructure, including roads and utilities to be used as part of the Southern California supply chain and goods movement network. The Reduced Footprint Alternative would develop industrial/warehouse use on the Project site that would utilize available infrastructure used as part of the Southern California supply chain and goods,movement network. The Reduced Footprint Alternative would meet the intent of this objective, but not to the same extent as the Project relative to supporting goods movement in Southern California. Overall Finding: The City adopts Finding 3. The City finds that specific economic, legal, social, technological, or other considerations make this alternative infeasible. Although the No Project Alternative would avoid the Project's less than significant environmental impacts, this alternative would not meet any of the Project's objectives. Supporting Evidence: Please see DEIR Pages 6-6 through 6-8. Environmentally Superior Alternative Section 15126.6(e)(2) of the CEQA Guidelines requires that an environmentally superior alternative be 'designated and states that if the environmentally superior Alternative is the No Project Alternative, the EIR shall also identify an environmentally superior alternative among the other alternatives. Based on the summary of information presented in Section 6 of the DEIR, the environmentally superior Alternative.is The No Project. Alternative. Because the No Project Alternative would leave the Project site essentially unchanged and would not have the operational effects that would be associated.with any of the alternatives, this Alternative has fewer environmental impacts than the proposed Project or any of the other alternatives. Section 15126.6(e)(2) of the State CEQA Guidelines states that if the "No Project” alternative is found to be environmentally superior, "the EIR shall also identify an environmentally superior alternative among the other alternatives." Aside from the No Project Alternative, Alternative 2: Reduced Footprint Alternative would have the least environmental impacts because it would develop less of the Project area, result in a reduction of vehicle trips and would incrementally reduce impacts to resource areas. CEQA requires the identification of an environmentally superior alternative.As discussed above, the No Project/No Action Alternative, in which the proposed Project is not implemented, would result in no change from current conditions. However, Section 15126:6(e)(2) of,the CEQA Guidelines states that, if the No Project Alternative is the environmentally superior alternative, Jersey Industrial Complex Project Findings of Fact January 2022 . . 40 RANciiO FINDINGS OF FACT CUCAMONGA .. then the EIR shall also identify an environmentally superior alternative among the other alternatives. Additional CEQA Considerations Significant and Unavoidable Environmental Impacts(DEIR Section 5.2) The potentially adverse effects of the proposed Project are discussed in Sections 4.1 through 4.10 of DEIR. Mitigation measures have been recommended that would avoid, reduce or minimize impacts. All the potential impacts associated with the proposed Project would be either less than significant or mitigated to less than significant. The proposed Project would not result in any significant unavoidable impacts. Irreversible Environmental Changes(DEIR Section 5.3) Both construction and operation of the proposed Project would lead to the consumption of limited, slowly renewable, and non-renewable resources, committing such resources to uses that future generations would be unable to reverse. The new development would require the commitment of resources that include: (1) building materials; (2)fuel and operational materials/resources; and (3) the transportation of goods and people to and from the new warehouse. Title 24 of the.California Administrative Code regulates the amount of energy consumed by new development. Nevertheless, the consumption of such resources would represent a long-term commitment of those resources. The commitment of resources required for the construction and operation of the proposed Project would limit the availability of such resources for future generations or for other uses during the life of the proposed Project. However, continued use of such resources is consistent with the planned changes on the proposed Project site and within the general vicinity. Growth Inducing Impacts(DEIR Section 5.4) The proposed Project would not directly induce growth as it does not involve residential development. The proposed Project site has been designated for industrial/warehousing uses as identified in the City's adopted General Plan. In addition, the proposed Project would not remove obstacles to regional growth and related development. The Project will generate approximately 111 new jobs. Of the total, approximately 86 percent, or 95 jobs, will be filled by employees residing outside the City of Rancho Cucamonga. The remaining 16 jobs will be filled by existing city residents. The addition of 111 new jobs-would represent a 0.12 percent increase in total employment. The proposed Project may result in negligible population growth; however, the area is primarily built out. Any new residents would be expected to occupy existing housing units or those in the planning stage. Any new residents would not represent unplanned population growth in the community or result in economic growth . that exceeds levels anticipated in plans adopted by the City. Therefore, no significant impacts related to growth inducement would occur. Jersey Industrial Complex Project Findings of Fact January2022 41 jjnncuo FINDINGS OF FACT CUCAMONGA Although the proposed Project site is currently undeveloped, the surrounding area is fully developed with urban land uses(i.e.,warehousing and light industrial).The Project would include connections to existing utilities and installation of on-site stormwater management improvements. Utilities and streets would not need to be extended to the Project site. The addition of 111 new jobs,would not induce growth associated with the construction of new house or commercial infrastructure to support the jobs. No significant impacts related to direct growth inducement would occur. SECTION 7. GENERAL CEQA FINDINGS The City hereby finds as follows: 1. The foregoing statements are true and correct; 2. The City is the "Lead Agency" for the Project evaluated in the CEQA Documents and independently reviewed and analyzed in the DEIR and FEIR for the Project; 3. The Notice of Preparation of the DEIR was circulated for public review. It requested that responsible agencies respond as to the scope and content of the environmental information germane to that agency's specific responsibilities; 4. The public review period for the DEIR was for 30 days between July 2,2021 and August 3, 2021. The DEIR and appendices were available for public review during that time. A Notice of Completion and copies of the DEIR were sent to the State Clearinghouse, and notices of availability of the DEIR were published by the City. The DEIR was available for review on the City's website. Physical copies of the environmental documents are available at the City of Rancho Cucamonga Planning Department. 5. The CEQA Documents were completed in compliance with CEQA; 6. The CEQA Documents reflect the City's independent judgment; 7. The City evaluated comments on environmental issues received from persons who reviewed the DEIR. In accordance with CEQA, the City prepared written responses describing the disposition of significant environmental issues raised. The FEIR provided adequate, good faith and reasoned responses to the comments. The City reviewed the comments received and responses thereto and has determined that neither the comments received nor the responses to such comments add significant new information to the DEIR regarding adverse environmental impacts. The City has based its actions on full appraisal of all viewpoints, including all comments received up to the date of adoption of these Findings, concerning the environmental impacts identified and analyzed in the FEIR. 8. The City finds that the CEQA Documents, as amended, provide objective information to assist the decision-makers and the public at large in their consideration of the environmental consequences of the Project. The public review period provided all Jersey Industrial Complex Project Findings of Fact January 2022 42 • r I FINDINGS OF FACT Rnnciio CUCANONGA . interested jurisdictions, agencies, private organizations, and individuals the opportunity to submit all comments made during the public review period; 9. The CEQA Documents evaluated the following impacts: (1) air quality; (2) biological resources; (3)cultural resources; (4)geology and soils; (5)greenhouse gas emissions; (6) hazards and hazardous materials; (7) hydrology and water quality; (8) noise; (9) transportation; and (10) tribal cultural resources. Additionally, the CEQA Documents considered, in separate sections, any potential significant irreversible environmental changes and growth-inducing impacts of the Project, as well as effects found not to be significant and a reasonable range of project alternatives. All of the significant environmental impacts of the Project were identified in the CEQA Documents; 10. The MMRP includes all of the mitigation measures identified in the CEQA Documents and has been designed to ensure compliance during implementation of the Project. The MMRP provides the steps necessary to ensure that the mitigation measures are fully enforceable; 11. The MMRP designates responsibility and anticipated timing for the implementation of mitigation; the City's Community Development Director will serve as the MMRP Coordinator; 12. In determining whether the Project may have a significant impact on the environment, and in adopting these Findings pursuant to Section 21081 of CEQA, the City has complied with CEQA Sections 21081.5 and 21082.2; 13. The impacts of the Project have been analyzed to the extent feasible at the time of certification of the CEQA Documents; 14. The City made no decisions related to approval of the Project prior to the initial recommendation of certification of the CEQA Documents. The City also did not commit to a definite course of action with respect to the Project prior to the initial consideration of the CEQA Documents. 15. Copies of all the documents incorporated by reference in the CEQA Documents are and have been available upon request at all times at the offices of the City of Rancho • Cucamonga Planning Department, the custodian of record for such documents or other materials; 16. The responses to the comments on the DEIR, which are contained in the FEIR, clarify and amplify the analysis in the DEIR; 17. Having reviewed the information contained in the CEQA Documents and in the administrative record, the City finds that there is no new significant information regarding adverse environmental impacts of the Project in the FEIR; and 18. Having received, reviewed and considered all information and documents in the CEQA Documents, as well as all other information in the record of proceedings on this matter, these Findings are hereby adopted by the City in its capacity as the CEQA Lead Agency. Jersey Industrial Complex Project Findings of Fact' January2022 43 FINDINGS OF FACT RANCIIO CUCM.'ONCA SECTION 8. FINDINGS REGARDING CIRCULATION The City finds that the DEIR does not require recirculation under CEQA (PRC § 21092.1 and CEQA Guidelines § 15088.5). CEQA Guidelines§ 15088.5 requires recirculation of an EIR prior to certification of the FEIR when "significant new information is added to the EIR after public notice is given of the availability of the draft EIR for public review." As described in CEQA Guidelines § 15088.5: New information added to an EIR is not "significant" unless the EIR is changed in a way that deprives the public of 'a meaningful opportunity to comment upon a substantial adverse environmental effect of the project or a feasible way to mitigate or avoid such an effect(including a feasible project alternative) that the project's proponents have declined to implement. "Significant new information" requiring recirculation includes, for example, a disclosure showing that: 1. A new significant environmental impact would result from the project or from a new mitigation measure proposed to be implemented; 2. A substantial increase in the severity of an environmental impact would result unless mitigation measures are adopted that reduce the impact to a level of insignificance; 3. A feasible project alternative or mitigation measure considerably different from others previously analyzed would clearly lessen the significant environmental impacts of the project, but the project's proponents decline to adopt it; 4. The DEIR was so fundamentally and basically inadequate and conclusory in nature that meaningful public review and comment were precluded. In addition, CEQA Guidelines § 15088.5(b) provides that"recirculation is not required where the new information added to the EIR merely clarifies and amplifies or makes insignificant modifications in an adequate EIR." Recirculation also is not required simply because new information is added to the EIR — indeed, new information is oftentimes added given CEQA's public/agency comment and response process and CEQA's post-DEIR circulation requirement of proposed responses to comments submitted by public agencies. In short, recirculation is "intended to be an exception rather than the general rule." (Laurel Heights Improvement Assn. v. Regents of University of California (1993) 6 Cal.4th 1112, 1132). As such, the City makes the following Findings: 1. None of the public comments submitted to the City regarding the DEIR present any significant new information that would require the DEIR to be recirculated for public' review. 2. No new or modified mitigation measures are proposed that would have the potential to create new significant environmental impacts Jersey Industrial Complex Project Findings of Fact January 2022 44 r 1 FINDINGS OF FACT RANcllo CUCAMONCA, .. - 3. The DEIR adequately analyzed project alternatives and there are no o feasible project alternatives or mitigation measures considerably different from others previously analyzed that would clearly lessen the significant environmental impacts of the project. 4. The DEIR was not fundamentally and basically inadequate and conclusory in nature and did not preclude meaningful public review and comment. In this legal context, the City finds that recirculation of the DEIR prior to certification is not required. In addition to providing responses to comments, the FEIR includes revisions to expand upon information presented in the DEIR; explain or enhance the evidentiary basis for the DEIR's findings; update, information; and to make clarifications, amplifications, updates, or helpful revisions to the DEIR. The FEIR's revisions, clarifications and/or updates do not result in any new significant impacts or increase the severity of a previously identified significant impact. In sum, the FEIR demonstrates that the proposed Project would not result in any new significant impacts or increase the severity of a significant impact, as compared to the analysis presented in the DEIR.The changes reflected in the FEIR also do not indicate that meaningful public review of the DEIR was precluded in the first instance. Accordingly, recirculation of the EIR is not required as revisions to the EIR are not significant as defined in § 15088.5 of the CEQA Guidelines. SECTION 9. LEGAL EFFECTS OF FINDINGS To the extent that these Findings conclude that the proposed mitigation measures outlined in herein are feasible and have not been modified, superseded, or withdrawn, the City hereby commits to implementing these measures. These Findings, in other words, are not merely. informational, but rather constitute a binding set of obligations that will come into effect when the City approves the proposed Project. The mitigation measures that are referenced herein and adopted concurrently with these Findings will be effectuated through the process of construction and implementation of the proposed Project. Jersey Industrial Complex Project Findings of Fact January 2022 . . . 45 EXHIBIT B FINAL Jersey Industrial Complex Project Environmental Impact Report Mitigation Monitoring and Reporting Program SCH No. 2021060608 Prepared for: L% J,( rrFrrrcr- , RANCHO CUCAMONGA City of Rancho Cucamonga 10500 Civic Center Drive Rancho Cucamonga, California 91730 Contact: Vincent Acuna Prepared by: Birdseye Planning Group, LLC P.O.Box 1956, Vista, CA 92085 . Contact: Ryan Birdseye January 2022 This page intentionally left blank. • ITABLE OF CONTENTS RANCHO CUCAMONGA .. TABLE OF CONTENTS Section Page SECTION 1. Authority 1 SECTION 2. Monitoring Schedule 1 SECTION 3. Support Documentation 2 SECTION 4. Format of Mitigation Monitoring Matrix 2 LIST OF TABLES Table 1-1 Mitigation Monitoring and Reporting Program 3 Jersey Industrial Complex Project Findings of Fact January 2022 i TABLE OF CONTENTS jZANC110 CUCAMONGA This page intentionally left blank. Jersey Industrial Complex Project Findings of Fact January 2022 ii • MMRP CUCAMONOA . MITIGATION MONITORING AND REPORTING PROGRAM SECTION 1. Authority This'environmental Mitigation Monitoring and Reporting Program (Program) has been prepared pursuant to§21081.6 of the California Environmental Quality Act(CEQA)(Public Resources Code §21000 et seq.),,and CEQA Guidelines (14 Cal. Code Regs. §15000 et seq.) §§15091(d) and 15097, to ensure implementation of and provide for the monitoring of mitigation measures required of the Jersey Industrial Complex Project(Project), as set forth in the Final Environmental Impact Report (FEIR) prepared for the Project. This report will be kept on file in the offices of the CEQA Lead Agency, the City of Rancho Cucamonga (City). The EIR addresses the potential environmental impacts of the Project, and, where appropriate, recommends mitigation measures to avoid or substantially lessen significant environmental impacts. The Program detailed in the matrix table below is designed to monitor and ensure implementation of all mitigation measures that are adopted for the Project. The City is the Lead Agency for the Project and assumes ultimate enforcement responsibilities for implementation of all mitigation measures listed in this Program. The City may assign responsibility for implementation or monitoring to appropriate designees such as a construction manager or third-party monitor. However, as the Lead Agency, the City remains responsible for ensuring that implementation of the mitigation measures occurs in accordance with this Program. In some cases, the City is required to secure permits or approvals from third-party agencies in order to implement a mitigation measure. In these cases, the City is responsible for verifying that such'permits or approvals have been obtained in accordance with the conditions stipulated in the mitigation measure. The City's existing planning, engineering, operations, and procurement review and inspection processes will be used as the basic foundation for the Program procedures and will also serve to provide the documentation for the reporting program. SECTION 2. Monitoring Schedule Prior to construction, while detailed design plans are being prepared by City staff or its agents, City staff will be responsible for ensuring compliance with mitigation monitoring,applicable to the Project construction, development, and design phases. Once construction has begun and is underway, monitoring of the mitigation measures associated with construction will be included in the responsibilities of City staff, who shall prepare or cause to be prepared periodic monitoring reports, as appropriate. Regulatory agencies will have to harmonize CEQA mitigation with regulatory permit conditions and monitoring/reporting as part of the regulatory permitting process and will likely, require submittal of formal monitoring reports. Once construction has been completed., the City will monitor the Project as specified in the mitigation measures. Jersey Industrial Complex Project Final EIR January 2022 1 • • • • jZANcuo MMRP CUCAMONGA SECTION 3. Support Documentation Findings and related documentation supporting the findings involving modifications to mitigation measures shall be maintained in the Project file with the Program and shall be made available to the public upon request. . SECTION 4. Format of Mitigation Monitoring Matrix The mitigation monitoring matrix on the following pages identifies the environmental issue areas for which monitoring is required, the required mitigation measures, the time frame for monitoring, and the responsible implementing and monitoring agencies. Jersey Industrial Complex Project Final EIR January 2022 2 • • jtn�cF�o MMRP CUCAMONGA • TABLE 1-1 MITIGATION MONITORING AND REPORTING PROGRAM Mitigation Measure Responsible for Timing of Method of Verified Monitoring Verification Verification Date/initials AIR QUALITY AQ-1:Condition project to overlap architectural coating phase with the City of Rancho Prior to issuance of Plan check building phase by approximately 44 total workdays to avoid exceeding the Cucamonga building permits daily ROG standard.Prior to issuance of a building permit,the Applicant shall submit a detailed construction schedule to the City of Rancho Cucamonga which demonstrates that the architectural coating phase will overlap with the building phase by a minimum of 44 days. • BIOLOGICAL RESOURCES BIO-1:Pursuant to the Migratory Bird Treaty Act(MBTA)and Fish and City of Rancho Prior to grading On-site inspection, Game Code, removal of any trees,shrubs,or any other potential nesting Cucamonga permit and/or separate submittal habitat should be conducted outside the avian nesting season.The nesting construction permit season extends from February:1 through August 31 but can vary slightly issuance;during from year to year based upon seasonal weather conditions.If ground grading,excavation disturbance and vegetation removal cannot occur outside of the nesting and construction season,a pre-construction clearance survey for nesting birds,shall be activities,upon conducted by a qualified biologist within three(3)days of the start of any completion of ground disturbing activities to ensure that no nesting birds will be disturbed monitoring during construction. activities,and prior • to final engineering If an active avian nest is discovered during the pre-construction clearance inspection. survey,construction activities can commence thereafter provided activities are able to maintain a 300-foot buffer around the active nest.For raptors and special-status species,this buffer will be expanded to 500 feet.A biological monitor shall be present during construction activities within the buffer area.to delineate the boundaries of the buffers and to monitor the active nest to ensure that nesting behavior is not adversely affected by the construction activity. If the biologist determines that bird breeding activity is being disrupted,the • Project Applicant shall stop work,notify the City and coordinate with the USFWS and CDFW to agree upon an avoidance/minimization approach. Jersey Industrial Complex Project Final EIR January 2022 3 ItN, 1 MMRP RANCII0 CUCAMONGA TABLE 1-1 MITIGATION MONITORING AND REPORTING PROGRAM Mitigation Measure Responsible for Timing of Method of Verified Monitoring Verification Verification Date/initials Upon agreement of the avoidance/minimization approach,work may resume subject to the revisions and continued monitoring. If burrowing owls are detected on-site during the clearance survey, in conformance with the California Staff Report's protocols, no ground- disturbing activities will be permitted within 656 feet of an occupied burrow during the breeding season(February 1 to August 31),unless otherwise authorized by CDFW. Once the qualified biologist has determined the young have fledged and left the nest of any birds within the buffer area(s),or the nest otherwise becomes inactive under natural conditions,normal construction activities can occur. - Reporting.If no active nests are found during the pre-construction clearance survey,the Project Applicant shall submit to the City of Rancho Cucamonga a brief letter report prepared by the biologist that documents the negative survey results.The letter report shall also indicate that no impacts to active avian nests will occur. If active nests were found,the Project Applicant shall submit a final bird survey monitoring report prepared by the project biologist to the City,the USFWS and CDFW.The report shall include documentation of all bird surveys,monitoring activities,coordination efforts with the wildlife agencies, as-built construction drawings with an overlay of any active nests in the survey areas,photographs of habitat areas during pre-construction and post-construction conditions,and other relevant summary information documenting that authorized impacts were not exceeded and that general compliance was achieved for the avoidance/minimization provisions and the biological monitoring program required by the wildlife agencies. Jersey Industrial Complex Project Final EIR January_2022 4 1 MMRP ltAvcxo CUCANONGA TABLE 1-1 MITIGATION MONITORING AND REPORTING PROGRAM Mitigation Measure Responsible for Timing of Method of Verified Monitoring Verification Verification Date/initials CULTURAL RESOURCES CUL-1:In the event that cultural resources are discovered during project City of Rancho Prior to issuance of Plan check, activities,all work in the immediate vicinity of the find(within a 60-foot Cucamonga grading separate submittal buffer)shall cease and a qualified archaeologist meeting Secretary of permit/during Interior standards shall be hired to assess the find.Work on the other grading and portions of the Project outside of the buffered area may continue during this construction assessment period.Additionally,the SMBMI Cultural Resources Department shall be contacted,as detailed within TCR-1, regarding any pre-contact and/or historic-era finds and be provided information after the archaeologist makes his/her initial assessment of the nature of the find,so as to provide Tribal input with regards to significance and treatment. CUL-2: If significant pre-contact and/or historic-era cultural resources,as City of Rancho During grading and On-site inspection, defined by CEQA(as amended,2015),are discovered and avoidance Cucamonga construction separate submittal cannot be ensured,the archaeologist shall develop a Monitoring and Treatment Plan,the drafts of which shall be provided to SMBMI for review and comment,as detailed within TCR-1.The archaeologist shall monitor the remainder of the Project and implement the Plan accordingly. CUL-3: If human remains or funerary objects are encountered during any City of Rancho Prior to issuance of Plan check, activities associated with the Project,work in the immediate vicinity(within a Cucamonga grading separate submittal 100-foot buffer of the find)shall cease and the County Coroner shall be permit/during contacted pursuant to State Health and Safety Code§7050.5 and that code grading and enforced for the duration of the Project.If the human remains are construction determined to be prehistoric,the coroner will notify the Native American Heritage Commission,which will determine and notify a Most Likely Descendant.The Most Likely Descendant shall complete the inspection of the site within 48 hours of notification and may recommend scientific removal and nondestructive analysis of human remains and items associated with Native American burials. • Jersey Industrial Complex Project Final EIR January 2022 5 1 MMRP RANCHO LAUCANIONGA TABLE 1-1 MITIGATION MONITORING AND REPORTING PROGRAM • Mitigation Measure Responsible for Timing of Method of Verified Monitoring Verification Verification Date/initials -TRIBAL CULTURAL RESOURCES TCR-1:The SMBMI Cultural Resources Department shall be contacted,as City of Rancho Prior to issuance of Plan check, detailed in Mitigation Measure CUL-1,of any pre-contact and/or historic-era Cucamonga grading separate submittal cultural resources discovered during project implementation and be permit/during provided information regarding the nature of the find,so as to provide Tribal grading and input with regards to significance and treatment.Should the find be deemed construction significant,as defined by CEQA(as amended,2015),a cultural resource Monitoring and Treatment Plan shall be created by the archaeologist,in coordination with SMBMI,and all subsequent finds shall be subject to this Plan.This Plan shall allow for a monitor to be present that represents SMBMI for the remainder of the Project,should SMBMI elect to place a monitor on-site. TCR-2:Any and all archaeological/cultural documents created as a part of City of Rancho During grading and Separate submittal the Project(isolate records,site records,survey reports,testing reports, Cucamonga construction etc.)shall be supplied to the applicant and Lead Agency for dissemination to SMBMI.The Lead Agency and/or applicant shall,in good faith,consult with SMBMI throughout the life of the Project. TCR-3:The Project Applicant shall be required to retain and compensate City of Rancho Prior to issuance of On-site inspection, for the services of a Tribal monitor/consultant who is both approved by the Cucamonga grading other agency Gabrieleno Band of Mission Indians-Kizh Nation Tribal Government and is permit/during permit/approval listed under the NAHC's Tribal Contact list for the area of the Project grading and location.This list is provided by the NAHC.The monitor/consultant will only construction be present on-site during the construction phases that involve ground disturbing activities.Ground disturbing activities are defined by the Gabrieleno Band of Mission Indians-Kizh Nation as activities that may include,but are not limited to,pavement removal,pot-holing or auguring, grubbing,tree removals,boring,grading,excavation,drilling,and trenching, within the Project area.The Tribal Monitor/consultant will complete daily monitoring logs that will provide descriptions of the day's activities,including construction activities,locations,soil,and any cultural materials identified. The on-site monitoring shall end when the Project site grading and Jersey Industrial Complex Project Final EIR January 2022 6 1 RANCHO MMRP CucA.MMm cA TABLE 1-1 MITIGATION MONITORING AND REPORTING PROGRAM Mitigation Measure Responsible for Timing of Method of Verified Monitoring Verification Verification Date/initials excavation activities are completed,or when the Tribal Representatives and monitor/consultant have indicated that the site has a low potential for impacting Tribal Cultural Resources. TCR-4:Upon discovery of any archaeological resources,cease City of Rancho During grading and On-site inspection, construction activities in the immediate vicinity of the find until the find can Cucamonga construction other agency be assessed.All archaeological resources unearthed by project . permit/approval construction activities shall be evaluated by the qualified archaeologist and tribal monitor/consultant approved by the Gabrieleno Band of Mission Indians-Kizh Nation.If the resources are Native American in origin,the • Gabrieleno Band of Mission Indians-Kizh Nation shall coordinate with the landowner regarding treatment and curation of these resources.Typically, the Tribe will request reburial or preservation for educational purposes. Work may continue on other parts of the Project while evaluation and,if necessary,mitigation takes place(CEQA Guidelines Section15064.5[f]).If a resource is determined by the qualified archaeologist to constitute a "historical resource"or"unique archaeological resource",time allotment and funding sufficient to allow for implementation of avoidance measures,or appropriate mitigation,must be available.The treatment plan established for the resources shall be in accordance with CEQA Guidelines Section - 15064.5(f)for historical resources. • TCR-5:Preservation in place(i.e.,avoidance)is the preferred manner of City of Rancho During grading and Onsite inspection, treatment.If preservation in place is not feasible,treatment may include Cucamonga construction other agency implementation of archaeological data recovery excavations to remove the permit/approval resource along with subsequent laboratory processing and analysis.Any historic archaeological material that is not Native American in origin shall be curated at a public,non-profit institution with a research interest in the materials,such as the Natural History Museum of Los Angeles County or the Fowler Museum,if such an institution agrees to accept the material.If no institution accepts the archaeological material,they shall be offered to a local school or historical society in the area for educational purposes. • Jersey Industrial Complex Project Final EIR January 2022 7 . , o 1 MMRP RANCHO CUCAMONGA .. . TABLE 1-1 MITIGATION MONITORING AND REPORTING PROGRAM Mitigation Measure Responsible for Timing of Method of Verified • Monitoring Verification Verification Date/initials TCR-6:Native American human remains are defined in PRC 5097.98(d)(1) City of Rancho During grading and On-site inspection, as an inhumation or cremation,and in any state of decomposition or Cucamonga construction other agency skeletal completeness.Funerary objects,called associated grave goods in permit/approval PRC 5097.98,are also to be treated according to this statute.Health and Safety Code 7050.5 dictates that any discoveries of human skeletal material shall be immediately reported to the County Coroner and excavation halted until the coroner has determined the nature of the remains.If the coroner recognizes the human remains to be those of a Native American or has reason to believe that they are those of a Native American,he or she shall contact,by telephone within 24 hours,the Native American Heritage Commission(NAHC)and PRC 5097.98 shall be followed. • • Jersey Industrial Complex Project Final EIR January 2022 8