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HomeMy WebLinkAbout1996/09/25 - Agenda PacketCITY OF RANCHO CUCAMONGA PLANNING COMMISSION AGENDA WEDNESDAY SEPTEMBER 25, 1996 7:00 PM Rancho Cucamonga Civic Center Council Chamber 10500 Civic Center Drive Rancho Cucamonga, California I. CALL TO ORDER Pledge of Allegiance Roll Call Chairman Barker __ Vice Chairman McNiel __ Commissioner Bethel Commissioner Macias Commissioner Tolstoy II. ANNOUNCEMENTS III. APPROVAL OF MINUTES September 11, 1996 IV. PUBLIC HEARINGS The following items are public hearings in which concerned individuals may voice their opinion of the related project. Please wait to be recognized by the Chairman and address the Commission by stating your name and address. All such opinions shall be limited to 5 minutes per individual for each project. Please sign in after speaking. A. CONSIDERATION OF ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT REPORT (EIR) FOR INDUSTRIAL AREA SPECIFIC PLAN AMENDMENT 95-05 - MISSION LAND/CITY OF RANCHO CUCAMONGA - A public hearing on a draft Final EIR for a request to add Big Box retail as a Conditionally Permitted Use on approximately 33 acres, plus a request by the City for consideration of an additional contiguous 40 acres, for a total consideration of approximately 73 acres within the Industrial Park designation (Subarea 12) of the Industrial Area Specific Plan, generally located north of Fourth Street, east of Milliken Avenue, and west of the 1-15 Freeway - APN: 229-263-18 through 21, 229-263-48 through 53, and 229-341-13. B. ENVIRONMENTAL ASSESSMENT AND INDUSTRIAL AREA SPECIFIC PLAN AMENDMENT 95-05 - MISSION LAND/CITY OF RANCHO CUCAMONGA - A request to add Big Box retail as a Conditionally Permitted Use on approximately 33 acres, plus a request by the City for consideration of an additional contiguous 40 acres, for a total consideration of approximately 73 acres within the Industrial Park designation (Subarea 12) of the Industrial Area Specific Plan, generally located north of Fourth Street, east of Milliken Avenue, and west ofthe I-15 Freeway -APN: 229-263-18 through21, 229-263-48 through 53, and 229-341-13. V. PUBLIC COMMENTS This is the time andplace for the general public to address the Commission. hems to be discussed here are those which do not already appear on this agenda. VI. COMMISSION BUSINESS C. COMMERCIAL LAND USE STUDY DISCUSSION - ('No report) VII, ADJOURNMENT The Planning Commission has adopted tldministrative Regulations that set an l l :OO p. m. adjournment time. lf items go beyond that time. they shah be heard only with the consent of the Commission. 1. Gail Sanchez. Planning Commission Secretary of the City of Rancho Cucamonga, or my designee, hereby certia~ that a true, accurate copy of the foregoing agenda was posted on September 19, 1996, at least 72 hours prior to the meeting per Government Code Section 54964. 2 at 10500 Civic Center Drive, Rancho Cucamonga. Page 2 VICINITY MAP CITY HALL CITY OF RANCHO CUCAMONGA CITY OF RANCHO CUCAMONGA STAFF RF, PORT DATE: September 25, 1996 TO: Chairman and Members of the Planning Commission FROM: Brad Buller, City Planner BY: Miki Bratt, AICP, Associate Planner SUBJECT: CONSIDERATION OF ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT REPORT (EIR) FOR INDUSTRIAL AREA SPECIFIC PLAN AMENDMENT 95-05 - MISSION LAND/CITY OF RANCHO CUCAMONGA - A public hearing on a draft Final EIR for a request to add Big Box retail as a Conditionally Permitted Use on approximately 33 acres, plus a request by the City for consideration of an additional contiguous 40 acres, for a total consideration of approximately 73 acres within the Industrial Park designation (Subarea 12) of the Industrial Area Specific Plan, generally located north of Fourth Street, east of Milliken Avenue, and west of the 1-15 Freeway- APN: 229-263-18 through 21,229-263-48 through 53; and 229-341-13. ENVIRONMENTAL ASSESSMENT AND INDUSTRIAL AREA SPECIFIC PLAN 95-05 - MISSION LAND/CITY OF RANCHO CUCAMONGA - A request to add Big Box retail as a Conditionally Permitted Use on approximately 33 acres, plus a request by the City for consideration of an additional contiguous 40 acres, for a total consideration of approximately 73 acres within the Industrial Park designation (Subarea 12) of the Industrial Area Specific Plan, generally located north of Fourth Street, east of Milliken Avenue, and west of the 1-15 Freeway - APN: 229-263-18 through 21,229-263-48 through 53, and 229-341-13. PROJECT AND SITE DESCRIPTION: A. Action Requested: The applicant requested that a warehouse style retail "Big Box" use be permitted on parcels located between Buffalo and Pittsburgh Avenues on the north side of Fourth Street opposite the Ontario Mills regional retail center. The Planning Commission requested that all parcels fronting Fourth Street between the I-15 Freeway and Milliken Avenue be similarly studied. Therefore, in addition to the 33-acre property owned by the applicant (Mission Land) located between Buffalo and Pittsburgh Avenues, the application includes 28 acres owned by Oltmans Investment located between the I-15 Freeway and Buffalo Avenue and 12 acres owned by Bixby Ranch located between Milliken and Pittsburgh Avenues (Exhibit "A"). At buildout, approximately 845,330 square feet of retail space could be developed on the 73-acre site. The Planning Commission also requested that the "Big Box" retail uses be considered through a text amendment to the Industrial Area Specific Plan. ITEMS A & B PLANNING COMMISSION STAFF REPORT ISPA 95-05 - MISSION LAND/CITY OF RANCHO CUCAMONGA September 25, 1996 Page 2 B. Surroundinq Land Use and Zoninq: North - Developed, office and industrial buildings and vacant. Industdal Area Specific Plan Subarea 12 (Mission Land and Bixby Master Plans), Industrial Park, and vacant, Industrial Area Specific Plan, Subarea 11, General Industrial South - Developed, Regional Commercial, City of Ontario East - 1-15 Freeway and vacant, Industrial Area Specific Plan Subarea 14, General Industrial West - Vacant, Industrial Area Specific Plan Subarea 18. General Dynamics Specific Plan C. General Plan Designations: Project Site: Industrial Park North Industrial Park and General Industrial South o City of Ontario, Regional Commercial East General Industrial West Industrial Park D. Site Characteristics: The site encompasses 73 acres which are vacant with gently sloping sandy soils. Most of the site is covered with abandoned old growth vineyards. The entire site is disced for weeds annually. In general, street improvements and utilities are in place. In the vicinity of the 1-15 Freeway on/off ramps, Charles Smith Avenue now has access off Fourth Street, but in the future will be converted to a cul-de-sac with primary access from Buffalo Avenue and/or Sixth Street. BACKGROUND: Master Plans: A Master Plan for Industrial Park development was previously approved for Mission Land's property in Subarea 12, including the 33 acres incorporated into the subject proposal. A Master Plan for Industrial Park development was also previously approved for the Bixby Ranch Company's property, including the 12 acres incorporated into the subject proposal. There are no approvals for the 28 acres of Oltmans Investment's property incorporated into the subject proposal. Market Study: A Commercial Land Use study was commissioned by the City in 1995. The Agajanian Commercial Land Use and Market Study recommended that a retail presence be developed along Fourth Street as follows: Promote the development of community and regional retail uses along the Fourth Street corridor in order to interGept the commercial traffic generated by the Ontario Mills project. Arrange to have more competitive sites availabre that can benefit from Fourth Street (at the 1-15 Freeway) on/off ramp traffic. In workshop discussions on the Market Study, members of the City Council and the Planning Commission were supportive of an increased retail presence in the City along Fourth Street in response to the retail development on the south side of Fourth Street in the City of Ontario. Surroundinq Land Use: To the north of the Bixby Ranch and Mission Land portions of the subject site, there are developed Industrial Park users and improved vacant sites suitable for Industrial Park uses. Industrial Park uses include office, warehouse, and manufacturing. The Oltmans Investment site adjacent to the 1-15 Freeway is vacant and undeveloped. PLANNING COMMISSION STAFF REPORT tSPA 95-05 - MISSION LAND/CITY OF RANCHO CUCAMONGA September 25, 1996 Page 3 On the south side of Fourth Street, the Ontario Mills regional retail center is under construction with the grand opening scheduled for November 1996. On the north side of Fourth Street to the west of Milliken Avenue, the Empire Lakes Golf Course is completed and operating. The golf course is the first phase of development for General Dynamics properties which are zoned for Mixed Use in the General Dynamics Specific Plan for Industrial Area Specific Plan Subarea 18. Mixed Use development includes retail and office, as well as industrial development. ANALYSIS: Compatibility with the Industrial Area Specific Plan Industrial Park Desiqnation: The proposal would add Warehouse-Style Retail Merchandising to the uses permitted under the Industrial Park designation in Subarea 12 of the Industrial Area Specific Plan. Light Wholesale, Storage & Distribution is currently a permitted use in the Industrial Area. This proposal would allow retail as a primary use for Warehouse-Style Retail Merchandising under certain conditions. Examples of Warehouse-Style Retail Merchandising businesses in the City include Walmart, Price Club, Circuit City, and Best Buy. Warehouse-Style Retail Merchandising would only be allowed within a Master Planned development approved under a Conditional Use Permit. The warehouse character of the development would be emphasized in order to be compatible with the physical development of warehouse and other industrial park users within Subarea 12. Finally, Warehouse-Style Merchandising is consistent with other retail uses already permitted within the Industrial Park designation. Compatibility with the General Plan: The General Plan designation for the site is Industrial Park. For the same reasons that Warehouse-Style Merchandising is consistent with the Industrial Park designation in the Industrial Area Specific Plan, it is also consistent with the Industrial Park designation of the General Plan. Foothill Corridor and Fourth Street Comparison: Foothill Boulevard has been identified as the primary retail corridor in the City. The Foothill Boulevard Specific Plan emphasizes activity centers which invite extensive pedestrian activity onsite and offsite. In contrast, development of warehouse style retail uses on the north side of Fourth Street between Milliken Avenue and the 1-15 Freeway is expected to be characterized by a stronger automobile orientation. Fourth Street has been changed from an industrial area street by the action of the City of Ontario through the development of the Ontario Mills regional retail center. Consequently, property on the north side of Four{h Street is transitional between regional retail on the south of Fourth Street and industrial in Rancho Cucamonga north of the subject site. Retail development along Fourth Street in Rancho Cucamonga is expected to take advantage of retail activity generated by the Ontario Mills project. The change from Industrial to Mixed Use on the General Dynamics property located east of Haven Avenue and west of Milliken Avenue on the north side of Fourth Street reflects the new transitional character of Fourth Street. The Mixed Use designation permits retail development in a context of PLANNING COMMISSION STAFF REPORT ISPA 95-05 - MISSION LAND/CITY OF RANCHO CUCAMONGA September 25, 1996 Page 4 maximum flexibility for future development. Extending retail opportunities east to the 1-15 Freeway for properly directly opposite the Ontario Mills project will continue the trend of responding to the changing character of Fourth Street. The proposal is consistent with the goals and objectives of the Industrial Area Specific Plan and specifically, the Industrial Area Park Category which reads: INDUSTRIAL PARK CATEGORY ...This area is reserved for firms seeking attractive and pleasant working environment and a location which has prestige value. High quality architecture is required and site planning must emphasize a pedestrian oriented, campus-like setting with the greatest amount of landscaping. The development of prefab, all metal for sheathing of building is considered inappropriate for this category. The Industrial Park category is typically located adjacent to special boulevards (major thoroughfares) to enhance major gateways into the community and create a high quality image... Master Plan Requirement: Warehouse-Style Retail Merchandising would require development within a Master Planned Center with the Center subject to a Conditional Use Permit. General Commercial Uses permitted or conditionally permitted, under the General Commercial designation in the Development Code would be permitted or conditionally permitted provided they offered warehouse-style merchandising. General Commercial Uses within the General Commercial District of the Development Code, Section 17.10.030 would be incorporated into the Industrial Area Specific Plan by reference (Exhibit "D"). All uses permitted or conditionally permitted, in the Industrial Park designation of Subarea 12, will continue to be permitted on the subject site. In the event of a conflict between the Permitted or Conditionally Permitted Use, the Industrial Park requirement would apply. Each Master Plan would indicate how Warehouse-Style Retail businesses would be integrated with permitted or conditionally permitted Industrial Park uses. The following commercial uses are currently permitted in Subarea 12 of the Industrial Area Specific Plan: Automotive Rental, Business Maintenance, Business Supply, Business Support, Communication Services, Financial/Insurance/Real Estate Services, Hotel/Motel, Medical/Health Care Services, Personal Services, Recreation Facilities, and Restaurants. The following commercial uses are conditionally permitted: Automotive Sales and Leasing, Automotive Service Station, Convenience Sales and Services, Entertainment, Fast Food Sales, Food and Beverage Sales, and Restaurant with Bar or Entertainment. No application for a Master Plan for a Warehouse-Style Retail Merchandising Center has been submitted at this time. However, the applicant, Mission Land, has prepared a conceptual site plan and is in the process of preparing a Master Plan for their 33 acres (Exhibit "E"). It is anticipated that a Master Plan of Development would be processed for each of the three property owners: Mission Land, Oltmans Investment, and Bixby Ranch. Desiqn: The Master Plan for the Center would establish design parameters for Warehouse-Style Retail Merchandise "Big Box" retail users. The Master Plan would promote design compatibility with surrounding industrial development in Rancho Cucamonga. Further, the Master Plan would present a unique design vocabulary. PLANNING COMMISSION STAFF REPORT ISPA 95-05 - MISSION LAND/CITY OF RANCHO CUCAMONGA September 25, 1996 Page 5 Industrial Area Specific Plan Text Chanqes for Subarea 12 (Exhibits "A~I" and "A-2" attached to the proposed resolution): The analysis above is incorporated into a proposed text addition to Subarea 12 of the Industrial Area Specific Plan, under Conditional Uses, add "Warehouse-Style Retail Merchandise Center (see Special Considerations under this Subarea)" and after the last paragraph under the heading "Special Considerations" add the following: As an extension of retail sales now permitted as an ancillary use within a warehouse development, retail sales shall be permitted as a primary use for Warehouse-Style Retail Merchandise businesses within a Warehouse-Style Retail Merchandise Center. Said Centers shall be located within approximately 73 acres of land on the north side of Fourth Street between Milliken Avenue and the 1-15 Freeway. A Master Plan approved through the Conditional Use Permit process shall be required for each Warehouse-Style Retail Merchandising Center. In addition to all uses permitted or conditionally permitted in Subarea 12. retail uses shall be permitted or conditionally permitted, consistent with the General Commercial Uses within the General Commercial District of the Development Code, Section 17.10.030. and which are incorporated into the Industrial Area Specific Plan by reference. In the event of a conflict between whether a use is permitted or conditionally permitted, the Industrial Park requirement applies. However, added retail uses must offer Warehouse-Style Merchandising as defined and incorporated into each Center's Master Plan. Further, a distinctive Warehouse Style-Retail Merchandising design vocabulary shall be developed for Fourth Street between Milliken Avenue and the 1-15 Freeway and incorporated into each Center's Master Plan. Compatibility with adjacent existing and intended Industrial Park and General Industrial Development shall be demonstrated through site planning, building design, and landscaping and incorporated into the Master Plan for each Center. Industrial Area Specific Plan Text Addition to Pad 111 (Exhibits "A-3" and "A-4" attached to the proposed resolution): To the Development Standards and Guidelines Chapter: Table Ill-l, Summary of Land Use Type by Subarea, add under Commercial, "Warehouse-Style Retail Merchandising .... and place a note at the bottom to state .... Refer to Subarea 12 Special Considerations for additional restrictions." Also amend Table 111-2 - Land Use Type Definitions, under D. Commercial Use Types: after "Specialty Buildinq Supplies and Home Improvements" to add: Warehouse-Style Retail Merchandisinq Business: Within an approved Warehouse- Style Retail Merchandising Center, this category adds to the retail uses already permitted for the Subarea in which the Center is situated. Retail uses shall be added which are consistent with General Commercial Uses within the General Commercial District of the Development Code (Section 17.10.030) and which are incorporated herein by reference. In the event of a conflict between whether a use is permitted or conditionally permitted, the Subarea requirement applies. Light Wholesale, Storage and Distribution is a~ready a permitted use. The intent is to emphasize and expand retail use in conjunction with warehouse use in Subarea 12 which is transitional between industrial and retail commercial land use areas. PLANNING COMMISSION STAFF REPORT ISPA 95-05 - MISSION LAND/CITY OF RANCHO CUCAMONGA September 25, 1996 Page 6 ENVIRONMENTAL ASSESSMENT: An Environmental Impact Report has been prepared and circulated for comment consistent with the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) and forwarded to the Commission under separate cover. A draft Final Environmental Impact Report consists of the aforementioned draft Environmental Impact Report plus a separately bound addendum package which consists of: "Draft Response to Comments," "Mitigation Monitoring Plan." and the "Statement of Overriding Considerations." The aforementioned sections, in draft form. are attached unbound as Exhibits "F," "G," and "H." Consistent with CEQA, the Planning Commission may comment and make recommendations on the draft Final EIR, but the City Council is the certifying agency. Comments and Draft Response to Comments: Four letters of comment were received on the draft Environmental Impact. They were from the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS), the Governor's Office of Planning and Research (OPR), the Southern California Association of Governments (SCAG), and the Endangered Habitats League (EHL). The Comment Letters and the Response to Comments are attached (Exhibit "F"). The OPR letter was a routine acknowledgment. The SCAG letter generally supported the development as contributing to a favorable regional jobs/housing balance. SCAG also raised several issues which have been clarified and/or addressed by the EIR consultant, including a provision for contact with Omnitrans at the time of development to coordinate service on Fourth Street. The USFWS and EHL letters focused primarily on the Delhi-Sands soils area which have been identified as a potential habitat for the Delhi-Sands Flower Loving Fly, a federally listed endangered species. As discussed in the Notice of Preparation of the draft EIR, an on-site survey was conducted by a biologist. The biologist noted that most of the area is covered by abandoned grape vines and the entire site is disced annually for weed abatement, therefore, it is unlikely to provide habitat for the Delhi-Sands Flower Loving Fly. Further, no Dehli-Sands Flower Loving Fly habitat areas have been identified in Rancho Cucamonga. Surveys have been conducted on the General Dynamics site, the Milliken Avenue extension site. the Metrolink site, and the Chino Basin Municipal Water District Treatment Plant site, as well as on the surplus Edison Corridor section extending from the 1-15 Freeway at Foothill Boulevard to Jurupa Avenue. Neither the USFWS or EHL commented on the Notice of Preparation. Following receipt of the letters on the draft EIR, the EIR consultant contacted the USFWS. The USFWS is reviewing the matter further. This issue must be resolved prior to certification of the EIR by the City Council. The USFVVS plans to visit the site. If additional field surveys or protocols are needed they can be added as mitigation measures. Several outcomes are possible, including: ·The USFWS will confirm the finding of the EIR consultant's biologist that the site is not suitable habitat. · The USFWS will confirm that most of the site is not suitable habitat, but require additional surveys, prior to issuance of any grading permits on a portion of the site. The soonest an adult fly flight period survey could be conducted would be August 1997. PLANNING COMMISSION STAFF REPORT ISPA 95-05 - MISSION LAND/CITY OF RANCHO CUCAMONGA September 25, 1996 Page 7 ., The USFWS will require a flight survey for the entire site, prior to issuance of any grading permits. Mitigation Monitorinq Plan: The project will have traffic and air quality impacts which must be mitigated. Accordingly, a Mitigation Monitoring Plan has been prepared and is attached (Exhibit "G"). Traffic mitigation measures include traffic phasing at Milliken Avenue and Fourth Street and lane striping on Milliken Avenue south of Foothill Boulevard. Several Air Quality Mitigation Measures address actions recommended during construction, others will be integrated into project design, and others will be incorporated into project utilization insolaf as they are feasible and appropriate at the time of implementation. Also, noise impacts have been identified which must be mitigated. Designs for noise-generating uses will reduce noise to a level of non-significance. Facts for Findinqs and Statement of Overridinq Considerations: Environmental impacts as mitigated and impacts which cannot be feasibly mitigated to a level of less than significant are discussed in the Facts for Findings and Statement of Overriding Considerations attached (Exhibit "H"). There are traffic and air quality impacts which remain significant after all feasible mitigation. The project will contribute to congestion on the I-15 Freeway and the impact cannot be mitigated to a level less than significant. Further, vehicle exhaust will result in exceeding the levels for Nox, CO, and ROC and these impacts cannot be mitigated to a level less than significant. However, when weighed against the potential benefit of the project, these impacts are slight. The benefits identified are as follows: · Strengthen the economic base of the City of Rancho Cucamonga. · Provide employment opportunities within the City of Rancho Cucamonga. · Provide the opportunity for "Big Box" retail commercial uses to be located in visible proximity to the Ontario Mills project, a regional retail center. · Contribute to the regional jobs/housing balance. Accordingly, a Statement of Overriding Consideration has been prepared for traffic and air quality impacts. RECOMMENDATION: Staff recommends the following actions: · Minute action recommending Certification of the Environmental Impact Report for Industrial Specific Plan Amendment 95-05, subject to resolution of USFWS concerns and including the "Findings of Fact in Support of Findings for Significant Environmental Effects of the Project and Statement of Overriding Considerations." PLANNING COMMISSION STAFF REPORT ISPA 95-05 - MISSION LAND/CITY OF RANCHO CUCAMONGA September 25, 1996 Page 8 · Adopt the Resolution Recommending Approval of Industrial Area Specific Plan Amendment 95-05. City Planner BB:MB/jfs Attachments: Exhibit "A" - Site Plan Exhibit "B" - Industrial Area Specific Plan Map Exhibit "C" - General Plan Map Exhibit "D" - General Commercial Uses; Development Code Exhibit "E" - Conceputal Site Plan Exhibit "F" - Draft Response to Comments Exhibit "G" - Draft Mitigation Monitoring Plan Exhibit "H" - Draft Statement of Overriding Considerations Resolution Recommending Approval of ISPA 95-05 FOOTHILL BLVD/ A.T. & S.F. R:.R. &EME"P--Az PLAw INDUSTRIAL PARK GENERAL IND HEAVY IND MIXED USE OPEN SPACE r~ancho Cucamonga Development Code Sectior~l : 10.~003 ~,~ Use OP [ NC GC 9. ' cility (police, fire, ambulan ~ ~ 9 ' cility~ ~ _ and parame __ B. General Commercial Uses 1. Antique shops. p p 2. Animal Care Facility (animal hospital, veterinarian, commercial kennel, grooming). a. Excluding exterior kennel. pens, or runs. C P P b. Including exterior kennel. pens. or runs. C 3. Appare. I stores. p p 4. Art, music, and photographic studios and supply stores. P P P 5. Appliance stores and repair. p p 6. Arcades (see special requirements per Section 17.10.030 F.). C C 7. Athletic and Health Club, gyms. and weight reducing clinics. P P P 8. Automotive sales and services (including motorcycles, boats, trailers, and campers). a. Sales. C I C b. Rentals. C c. Repairs (major engine work, muffler shops. painting. body work, and C upholstery). d. Coin-op washing. C C C e. Automatic washing. C C C f. Service or gasoline dispensing stations (including minor repair such as tune-ups, C C P brakes, batteries. tires, mufflers). P = Pen'pitted Use C = Conditional Use Permit required 3/95 w 7- ;' Rancho Cucamonga Development Code Section. 0 Use OP NC I GC g. ,Parts and supplies. P P h. Tire sales and service (no outdoor p storage). 9. Bakeries (retail only). P P 10. '~Barber and beauty shops. P P P 11. Bicycle shops. P P 12. Blueprint and photocopy services. P P P 13. Book, gift and stationary stores (other than p p p adult related material). 14. Candy stores and confectionaries. P P 15. Catering establishments. P 16. Cleaning and pressing establishments. P P P 17. Carpenter shop or cabinet shop. P 18. Cocktail lounge (bar, lounge. Iavern) including related entertainment. a. Operated independent of a restaurant. C C b. Accessory to a restaurant. C C C 19. Commercial recreation facilities. a. Indoor uses such as bowling. theaters, C C P billiards. etc. b. Outdoor uses such as golf. tennis, C C C basketball, baseball. trampolines, etc. 20. Dairy product stores. P p 21. Delicatessens. p p 22. Department stores. P 23. Drive-in businesses, including theaters. (other C C than fast food restaurants). 24. Drug stores and pharmacies. P P p P = Permitted Use C = Conditional Use Permit required 25. Equipment rental yards. C 26. Electronic goods (i.e. ~'s, stereos. radios, VCR's) sales and se~ice. P P 27. Fast-food restaurants. C C P 28. Feed~ack stores. p p 29. Florist shops. p p p 30. Food stores and supermarkets. p p 31. Furniture stores, repair and upholster. p p 32. General retail stores. p p 33. Hardware stores. p p ~. Home improvement centers. a. Material stored and sold within enclosed buildings. P P b. Outdoor storage of material such as lumber and building materials. C 35. Hotels and Motels. C P 36. Ice Machines (outdoor). p p 37. Janitorial seNices and supplies. J p p 38. Jewel~ stores. p p 39. Laund~ self-se~ice. p p 40. Liquor stores. C C 41. Kiosks for key shops. film drops, etc, in parking lots, P P 42. Locksmith shop. p p 43. Massage establishments. C 44. Mini-storage ~or public use (no outdoor storage). C 45. Mo~uaries and cemeteries. C ~ C C P = Petitted Use C = Conditional Use Petit required Rancho Cucamonga Development Code Secti6n~.030 Use OP NC GC 46. Music, dance, and martial arts studio. P p 47. Newspaper and magazine stores. P p p 48. Nurseries and garden supply stores; provided, in the NC district, all equipment, suppries and material are kept within an enclosed area, and P p provided that fertilizer is stored in packaged form only. 49. Office and business machine stores. P P p 50. Office supply stores. p p 51. Parking facilities (commercial) where fees are charged. P P 52. Pet shop. p p 53. Political or philanthropic headquarters. P p p 54. Plumbing shop and supplies. P 55. Photocopy. p p p 56. Printing shops. ~ p 57. Recreational Vehicle Storage Yard. C 58. Restaurants (other than fast food). a. VV~th enteaainment and/or cocktail lounge and bar. C C C b. Incidental serving of beer and wine but without a cocktail lounge. bar, P p p entertainment. or dancing. 59. Shoe stores, sales and repair. p p 60. Second-hand stores and pawn shops. P 61. Shopping Center subject to provisions in Section 17.10.030-F.4. C C 62. Spiritualist readings or astrology forecasting. ~ P 63. Sporting g'oods stores. J p p 64. Stamp and coin shops. I P P Permitted Use Conditional Use Permit required ', ..... 3t96 , ,R. anct~o Cucamonga Development Code Section\ Use OP [ NC GC 65. Swimming pool supplies. p p 66. Tailor. p p 67. Taxidermists. p 68. Toy stores. p p 69, Travel agencies, p p p 70. Transportation facilities (train and bus, taxi depots). C C C 71. Truck and trailer rental, sales and service. C 72. Variety stores. p p C, Public and semi-public uses 1, Day Care Facilities. C C C 2. Convalescent facilities. p p 3, Hospitals, C C 4. Private and public clubs and lodges. including YMCA. YVVCA, and similar youth group uses. C C C 5. Educational institutions, parochial, private (including colleges and universities). C C C 6. Libraries &museums, public or private. P p p 7. Parks and recreation facilities, public or private. C C C 8. Public utility installations. C C C 9. Vocational or business trade schools. C C C 10. Churches. convents, monasteries, and other religious institutions. C C C P P ~nc~den ~ ,,~ ~ .me site. P = Permitted Use C = Conditional Use Permit required 17.10-7 3/95 MISSION PARK DRIVE MISSION VISTA DRIVE > · ~ " '~ ,'' ,.T Summary-Sile , lv~ E T R O P L E X ,~ o,,, ..... DRAFT RESPONSES TO CO~fiMENTS ON DRAEF ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT REPORT WAREHOUSE-STYLE RETAIL MERCItANDISING CENT/eLR State Clearingho~ts~ No. 96041054 Submitted m: City of Rancho Cucarnonga (Lead Agency) Planning Depar~nent 10500 Civic Center Drive Rancho Cucamon~a, California 91730 Contact: M~id Brain, AICP, Associam Planner Prepared by: Michael Brandman A~sociates 17310 Red Hill Avenue, St~te 250 Irvine, California 92614 (714) 250-5555 Contact: ZVdchael E. Houlihan, AICP Senior Project Ma:nager September 1996 Warehouse-Stile Retail Merchandisin.¢ Center Drq? EIR Response to Comarents TABLE OF CONTENTS Section eagll 1 IN'II¢ODUCHON baND EXECI. fI'IVE SUMMARY ................... 1-I 1.1 Introduction .......................................... 1-1 1.1.1 Purpose of the EIR ................................ 1-I 1.1.2 Scope of the EIR ................................. 1-3 1.1.3 EIR Focus and Effects Found Not To Be Significant .......... 14 1.1.4 Project Sponsors and Contact Persons .................... 1-5 1.2 Executive Summary of the EIR ............................. 14 1.2.1 Proposed Project ................................. 14 1.2.2 Environmental Effects and Mitigation Measures ............. 1-7 1.2.3 Alternatives ..................................... 1-7 1.2.4 Areas of Controversy/Issues To Be Resolved ............... 1-7 2 LIST OF CO~BIENTORS .................................... 2-1 3 RESPONSE TO CO~BIENTS ................................. 3-1 3.1 Introduction .......................................... 3-1 3.2 Comment Letters and Responses ............................ 3-1 3.2.1 Federal Agencies ................................. 3-2 3.2.2 State Agencies ................................... 3-3 3.2.3 Regional Agencies ................................ 3-4 3.2.4 Private Organizations .............................. 34 Warehouse-Style Retail Merchandisin$ Center Dratt EIR Response to Commemx SECflON 1 IN~ODUC-rlON AND EXtCU'i'iVE Sq.~iARY OF 'I]tE EIR 1,1 ~ In accordance with Section 15088 of the Slate of California Environmeum.i Quality Act (CEQA) Guidelines, the City of Rancho Cucamonga, as the lead agency, has evaluated the comments received on the Draft Environmenial Impact Report (DEIR) (State Clearinghog No. 96041054) for the Warehonse-style Merchandising Relail Center project and has prepared writ'ten responses to the commeuts received. The responses to comments in conjunction with the DEIR constitute the final EIR. This Response to Comments document ~ been formaid into three sections. Section I is an Introduction and Executive Suaunary fixat was presented in the DEIR. Section 2 provides a list of the agencies, organizations, and/or individuals that commented on the DEIR. Seedon 3 includes a copy of all of the let~rs received and responses to comments. Section 3 also provides responses to comments on significant environmental points describing the disposition of the issues, 'explaining the EIR analysis, supporting EIR conclusions, or providing information or corrections, as appropriate. For ease of reading, this section is formatled with responses to each leuer immediately following the leuer. 1,1,i PURPOSE OF 'I'ELE EIR The City of Rancho Cucamonga is the lead agency under the CEQA. and is responsible for preparing the Warehouse-style Retail Merchandising Center focused E[R (State Clearin~ouse No. 96041054). The EIR was prepared in conformance with CEQA (California Public Resources Code Section 21(XX) et seq.) and the California CEQA Guidelines (California Code of Regulations, Tide 14, Section 15000 et seq.). The project site is within the Rancho Cucamonga Industrial Area Specific Plan (IASP) within the City of Rancho Cucamonga. An EIR for the IASP was prepared and certified in 1981. The land uses identified for the project site under the IASP were incorporated into the City's General Plan. In 1989, the City of Rancho Cu~m'nonga certified a Master Envirommental Assessment (NiEA) and General Plan EIR which anticipated buildout of the City (including the project site) in accordance with the City's General Plan. The relewant environmental information from the IASP EIR and MEA/General Plan EIR was incorporated by reference into the EIR and is to be considered as part of the information upon which this evaluation of the project is based. The DEIR was prepared t~ evaluate the potential environmental impacts associated with the implementation of the proposed project. It is intended to ser-;e as an informadoral document for public agency decision makers and the general public regarding the objectives and components of the proposed project, and any WJB;0OIS0013.RTC Warehouse-Style Retail Merchandising Center Dra~ EIR Response to Corruneng potentially significant adverse environmental impacts that may be associated with the platmine, consreaction, and operation of the project, as well as u3 identify appropriate feasible mitigation me,qsures and alternatives that may be adopted lo reduce or eliminate these impacts. The environmental effects of the proposed project are analyze~l in the EIR to the degree of specificit3, appropriate to the current proposed project, in accordance with Section 15146 of the State CEQA Guidelines. The EIR is intended u~ provide the primary environmental documentation for three properties located on the project site: Mission Land Company, invesunent Olunans, and Bixby Ranch Company properdes. All three properlies include the same proposed amendment to the IASP; however, the thxee properties are addressed in the EIR commensurate with the level and mount of land planning information. The Mission Land Company property currenfiy has a specific development proposal while the Invesunent Olunans and Bixby Ranch do not. Even uhough the three properties are at different levels of planning, the EIR analysis is intended to serve as the primary environmental document for the following series of actions for all three properdes: [ASP amendment, subdivision/parcel maps, master plans, conditional use permits, building permits, and grading permits. Where sit~ plans have not been available for the Inveswnent Olin'hans and Bixby Ranch Company properties, the City has identified intended uses and maximum square footages lt~at the City feels is appropriate for the properdes in order to maintain compatibility of uses and intensifies wi~fin the project area. Section 3.2 of the DEIR provides a derailed discussion of these actions. The EIR will be used to determine whether subsequent environmental documentation will be required. It is acknowledgeti by the City of Rancho Cucamonga that when specific development proposals for the Investment OItmans and Bixby Ranch properties are submitted to the City for review and consideration, these proposals v,'ould be required to prepare a more detailed traffic impact analysis in accordance with the Count>.' of San Bernardino Congestion Management Program (CNff'). As the lead agency, the City of Rancho Cucamonga has the principal respormibili.ry for processing and approving the project. Other public agencies (i .e., responsible and trustee agencies) may use the EIR in the decision makisug or permit process will consider ,.he inforrrkadon in the EIR along with other information that may be presented during the CEQA process. Environmental impacts are not always rnitigable to a level considered less than significant; in those cases, impacts are considered significant unavoidable impacts. In accordance with Section 15093(o) of the State CEQA Guidelines, if a public agency approves a project that has significant impacts that are not substantially mitigated (i.e., significant unavoidable impacts), the agency shall state in writing the specific reasons for approving the project, based on the final E'IP, and any other information in the public record for the project. This is termed, per Section 15093 of the state CEQA Guidelines, a "statement of overriding considerations." During nhe preparation of the DEXR. agencies, organizations. and persons who the City. believed rn,ay have an interest in this project were contacted. Information, data, and observations from these contacts was WJB/00!g0OI3.RTC A dr g e:~ { Introduction and grecutive Sum. man' Warehouse-Style Retail Merchandising, Center Dra.~ EIR Response to Comments included in the DEIR. Agencies or interested persons who did not respond to the request for comments about the project during the public review period of the Notice of Preparation had an opportunity to comment during the public review period of the DEIR and subsequent hearings on the project. 1.1.2 SCOPE OF 'ltig EIR The DEIR addressed the potential environmentld effects of the proposed project. The scope of the EIR included issues identifietl by the City of Rancho Cucamongs during the preparation of the Initial Study (IS) and Notice of Preparation (NOP) for the proposed project. The IS/NOP, and cogent letlets received during and after the NOP review period were included in the DEIR. Based on the findings in the IS and NOP and on no substantial environmental comments received from the public or agencies during the public review period of the IS/NOP, the environmental issues that were determined to result in potentially significant impacts and addressed in detail in the EIR are: · Traffic and Circulation * Air Quality In addition to the above environmental issues, the proposed project would result in the loss of grape vineyards; however, this loss was assumed in the IASP and IASP EIR whjch were approved and certified, respeclively, in 1981. D~e to the importance of agiculmral operations in the region, the IASP and IASP EIR considered this loss as significant and unavoidable with the development of the site. The conversion of farmland to urban uses was also discussed in the City of Rancho Cucamonga Master Environmental Assessment (MEA) and General Plan EIR prepared in 1989. This discussion identified that the area in which the project site is located can most easily support development and will eventually remove large areas of soils that historically supported gape vineyards. However, current market forces such as expanding urban development and the high cost of imported water have made continued agiculmral activities in this area marginally profitable or not profitable. No feasible mitigation measures were identified in the IASP EIR or the General Plan EIR to mitigate the loss of grape vineyards. Feasible measures are still unavailable to mitigate the removal of gape vineyards from the project site. Therefore, the impact on agricultural crops is still considered significant and unavoidable and is fully dLscussed in the IASP EIR and the General Plan EIR which were incorporated by reference into the EIR, as previously discussed. 1.1.3 EIR FOCUS A.N'D EFFECTS FOU..'N]D NOT TO BE SIGNIk'ICANT The ISt~OP detetTnined that an EER is required to e,.'alcate the potentially significant environmental effects of the proposed project. Based on the findings of the IS/NOP. the potentially significant environmental Warehouse-Style Retail Merchandising Center Draj? EIR Response to Comments effects of the project include traffic and circulation and air quality. In accordance with Section 15 128 of the State CEQA Guidelines, the IS/NOP and DEIR provided reasons why the following environmental components were not considered significant. · Earth * Population · Water · Housing · Plant Life · Public Services · Animal Life · Energy · Noise · Utilities and Service Systems · Light and Glare · Human Health · Land Use · Aesthetics · Natural Resources · Recreation · Risk of Upset · Cultural Resources 1.1.4 PROJECT SPONSORS AND CONTACT PERSONS The City of Rancho Cucamonga is the lead agency in the preparation of the EIR. MBA is the environmental consultant to the City for the project. The applicants for the proposed project are Mission Land Company for the Mission Land Company property and the City of Rancho Cucamonga for the investment Oltmans and Bixby Ranch Company properties. Keycontact persons for the EIR are as follows: Lead Agency City of Rancho Cucamonga Community Development Deparmqent Mild Bran, AiCP 10500 Civic Center Drive Rancho Cucamonga, California 91729 (909) 477-2750 Environmental Consultant Michael Brandman Associates Michael E. Houlihan, AICP 17310 Red Hill Avenue, Suite 250 h-vine, California 92614 (714) 250-5555 Applicants Mission Land Company John Rioharris 3281 East Guas~ Road, Suite 550 Ontario, California 91761 (909) 605-7741 Warehouse-Style Retail Merchandising Center Draft EIR Re~tTonse to Comments City of Rancho Cucamonga Community Development Department 10500 Civic Center Drive Rancho Cucamonga, California 91729 (909) 477-2750 1.2 EXECUTIVE SUMMARY OF THE EIR 1.2.1 PROPOSED PROJECT The proposed Warehouse-style Retail Merchandising Center would allow the addition of a Big Box retail use as a conditional use in the Indust~al Park classification for properties with frontage along Fourth Street in Subarea 12 of the City of Rancho Cucamonga Industrial Area Specific Plan (IASP). There are three properties wig the approximately 73-acre project site. the Mission Land Company, Invesmment Oltrnans, and Bixby Ranch Company properties. With the addition of a Big Box retail use to the three onsite properdes, it is anticipated that development of the three properdes would include approxirnately 845,330 square feetof commercial use. Without the addition of a Big Box retail use, the City's General Plan and zoning designations for the properties would allow approximately 1,232,153 square feet of industrial park The lfftssion Land Company has submitted a specific commercial development proposal that includes the potential for Big Box retail uses on approximately 33 acres. The development proposed on the Mission Land property includes 364,5 t 6 square feet of retail floor area. The BLxby Ranch Company and Invesnment Olwnans do not have specific development proposals; however, based on the development intensity permitted for Big Box retail in the IASP, approximately 138,956 square feet of development could be permitted on the Bixby Ranch Company property and approximately 326,264 square feet of development on the Investment Oilroans property. Because the Mission Land Company has submitted a specific development proposal, the development of the Mission Land Company property is identified as Phase I of the proposed project. The Bixby Ranch Company and Investment Oilmarts have not submitted specific development proposals and schedules ~ submit proposals for these two properdes are unknown to the City. As a result, the development of the Bixby Ranch Company and Investment Oltrnans properdes are identified as Phase II. The discretionary. actions that will be required for the proposed project include an IASP amendment, subdivision/parcel maps, master plans, conditional use permits. bullcling permits, and grading permits. Warehouse-S.mle Retail Merchandisin,g Center Dmt~ EIR Resoonse to Cornmenu 1.2.2 ENVIRONMENTAL EFFECTS AND MIHGATION MEg Section 5 of the DEIR describes in detail the environmental impacts that would result from the implemenlation of the proposed project as it related to ~'affic and circulation and air quality. Table 2-1 of the DIEfiR summarizes impac~ of the proposed project and mitigation measures for these impacts. Impacts that are noted in the smmmary as "significant" after mitigation will require the adoption of a slatement of overriding considerations, if the project is approved as proposed (CEQA Section 2 I{381). 1.2.3 ALTERNATIVES In accordance with Section 15126(d)(2) of the CEQA Guidelines, the DEIR included a comparative evaluation of the proposed project with alternatives to the project. Additionally, the alternatives were discussed in the terms of achieving the project objectives. The EIR included an evaluation of the following alternatives to the proposed Warehouse-style Retail Merchandising Center: · No Project/No Development Alternative · No Project/Development as Allowed by IASP Alternative · Alternative Site The DEIR provided descriptions and analysis of each alternative. The Enviromenmlly Superior Alternative was determined to be the proposed project and the alternative site because both scenarios would result in the same environmental impacts. The No ProjectINo Development Alternative and the No Project/Developmem as .~dlowed by IASP Alternative would result in less environmental impacts; however, both of these alternatives would not achieve the objectives of the project. 1.2.4 AREAS OF CONTROVERSY/ISSUES TO BE RESOLVED The DEIR addressed the two primary issues associated with the proposed project. Based on the City's review of the project and comments received on the NOP/IS, these two issues are not considered controversial or unresolved. Warehottse-S.t).le Retail Merchandisine Center Draft ErR Response to Comments SECI'ION 2 LIST OF CO~'~IENTORS FEDERAL AGENCIES United Suites Department of the Interior, Fish and Wildlife Service USFWS STATE AGENCIES Governors Office of Planning and Research OPR REGIONAL AGENC~I~S Southern California Association of Governments SCAG PRBrATE ORGANIZATIONS Endangered Habitats l~'~om.te EI-1L Warehouse-Style Retail Merchandising Center DraR EIR Response to Comments SECTION 3 RESPONSE TO COIVeqlENTS In accordance with Seelion 15088 of the Slate of California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) Guidelines, the City of Rancho Cucamonga as the lead agency has evaluate~ the comments received on the DEIR (State Clearinghouse No. 96041054) for the Warehouse-style Merchandising Center project and has prepaxed written responses to the comments received. This "Response to Comments Document" becomes pan of the Final EIR for the project in accordance with Sec~on 15132 of the Slate CEQA Guidelines. The DEIR was approved for public circulation by the City of Ritncho Cucamonga and was diswibuted July 5, 1996. The City used several methods to elicit comments on the DEIR. Copies of the document were distributed to state. regional. and local agencies, as well as organizations and individuals, for their review and comment. Per CEQA Guidelines, a 45-day review period was provided (July 5, 1996, through August 18, 1996). The Rancho Cucamonga Planning Commission and the Rancho Cucamonga City Council will hold public hearings on the project after the preparation of the Final EIR. 3.2 COMMENT LETI'ERS AND RESPONSES The comment leers and responses are provided on the following pages. All corrections, clarifications, and refinements are herein incorporated by reference into the DEIR text. RECEiV United States Department of the InteriorE HSH ,.-MNT) WII DLIFE SERVICE AUG ! 5 1996 Ecological 5errices C'~t O ~ C 2730 Lok{r Avenue Vv'=s~ C~l~bad, C,a]ifomia 92008 August 12, 1996 Mr. Miki Bract Planning Department City of Rancho Cucamonga 10500 Civic Center Drive Rancho Cuca~nga, California 91730 Subject: Draft Environmental I=pact report, Warehouse-style Merchandising Cen~er, Rancho Cucamonga, California (State Clearinghouse Nu,~ber 96041n54) Dear Mr. Bract: This letter conce:rn~ r_he initiai study on r,.he proposed 73-acre commercial development project in Ehe City of Rancho CUc~nnga, California. The U. S. Fish and Wildlife Service (Service) is concerned about the impacts of this project on the e~anngered Delhi Sands flower-loving fly (P. haphic~nidas cot=t/ca:us ab~nmqnalis), several animal and plant species of special concern, other wildlife resources, and wetlands.' The Delhi Sands flower-loving fly is fully protected under the Endangered Species ACt of 1973, as amended (Ac~). The comen=s and recomendations in this letter are based on the Draft E.~vironnencal Impact repcr'. warehouse-style Re!all Moreland!sing Ce==er State C!eari_-ghouse No. 96S41054 (DEiR) dated july 1996 that was prepared by Michael Bra.~_Ti~ ASsociates and was received by the Se.--;ice cn July 8, 1556; a:.d other info_-Tation available to It is our u:.dersCa_nding' that the proposed project consists of a proposed warehouse-style retail merch~-.dising center cn a 73-acre parcel in the City of Ra~c~o Cucamonga, Sa_~ Be~ardino Co 'u-~-ty, CaiiforT. ia. According to the DTiR, the vegetation a~ the site includes grape vineyards, a.~d native ar.d non-native plants (page B-3). The DEIR notes thac ~ke soil type on the project site is Tu~junga loam sand, a soil thac is associated with the endangered Delh/Sa.~.ds flower-loving fly. Section 9 of the Act prohibits the "take" of any federaliV listed species. As defL~ed in =he Act, take means '...co harass, harm, pursue, hu.nc, shoot, wound, kill, =rap, capture, or collect, or to attempt to engage in any such conduct." "Harm" has been further defined to include habitat destruction when it kills or injures a listed species by interfering with essential behavioral patte_--n..s, such as breeding, foraging or resting. Indirect adverse i~s. aczs, such as consz.~ccion ~f roads. buildings, or fences, if-at inter.--_'pz or prohibit =he mc;-emenz pazcerr..s of a !isze= sTecies, such as the Delhi Sa_tds flower-loving fly, could be considered "'_ake" b'./=he Set'cite. The term.. person Mr. Miki BraCt 2 is defined as 'an individual, corporation, partnership, trust, association, or any other private entity; or any officer, employee, agent, department, or instrumentality of the Federal gove,'-m~ent, of any State, municipality, or. political subdivision of a State, or any other entity subject to the jurisdiction of the United States.' Take incidental to an otherwise lawful activity may be authorized by one of two procedures. If a Federal agency is involved with the permitting, funding, or carrying out of the project, then initiation of formal consultation between ~hat agency and fhe Service pursuant to section 7 of the Act is required if it is determined that the proposed project may affect a fedorally listed species. Such-consultation would result in a biological opinion that addresses the anticipated effects of the project to the listed species and may authorize a limited level of incidental take. If a Federal agency is not involved with the project, and a fedorally listed species may be taken as part of the project, then an incidental take pemt pursuant to section 1O (a) of the Act would need to be obtained. The Service my issue such · permit upon co~letion of a satisfactory conseFation plan for the listed species ~uld be affected by the project. The DEIR contains only a brief discussion Of the e~ngered Delhi Sands flower-loving fly and other listed species ~hmt may be adversely impacted by the proposed project. There is no discussion of impacts and mitigations in the main body of the DEIR, however, Atta~t B of the DEIR (pages B-3 and B- 4) notes ~t the area contains suitable soils for the Delhi Sands flower- loving fly as well as areas containing native plant species. Some of these plant species are often associated with the Delhi Sands flower-loving fly. The information in the DEIR lacks the specificiCy necessary to adequately evaluate the i=:pacts of this project on the Dell=i Sands flower-loving fly and other listed species. The Service recommends ~t the City of Ra_-.cho Cucamonga or the applica.~z su.--~ey the project size for the enda~-.gered Delhi Sa.~ds flower-loving fly and its habiza,, following Se_--~ice approved .Drc~cca!s at the project Regarding fish and wildlife resources, the final envirc.%~ental should ·ssess fully the impacts of the propos·l a_-.d its alt~_rnatives on species populations sund ~heir habitats, wikh e=p.~2sis on wetla.~ds e_~daagered and t~ea,,ened species, proposed species, candidate species, a_-.d species of special concern. The final e.nviror.~.ental doc~,~.encs should state clearly the purposes of, and docu_~.enz the oeeds of -~he propos·l so that the capabilities of the various alte_~a=ives to meet those purposes and needs ca.~ be readily detel-m!ned. The final envirommental documents should include a thorough description of all the faci!icies to be constmcted as part of the proposal. Figuares accurately depic,,ing proposed project features in relation to natural features in the projec,, area also should be included in the environmental doc~L~ents The analysis of projoe,, impacts on the enda_-.gered Delhi Sar. ds flower-loving fly ,.-ust ~ake into accou.-.t the different bic!ogica! a_nd ecc!ogica! req-uiremenzs of the sub:err~_~eaht early sza__-es a_-.d adu!-_s 'which are capah!~_ cf airboze movement. Failure so ade~ja'_ely consider sisher of these life his'_cry stages could lead so e!iminaticn cra reduz,,icn of a population cf Mr. Mik/Bratt 3 these animals. In order to insure that all environmental i=pacts are fully divulged, ~he final environmental documents should adequately assess any interrela~ed or interdependent projects currently proposed in the San . Ber~ara~-~ Valley area. In addition, the f~-al environmental documents should loving fly. The Service also is concerned about the impacts of =his proposed project on the bul-rowing owl' {Athene c~.{cularia), loggerhead shrike (Lanius ludovlcianus), and rap:ors. We recon~end that adequate surveys for the burrowing owl, loggerhead shrike, rap~ors, and other native birds be conducted at r. he project si~e. The findings of the surveys and measures that will be taken no avoid/m/=igate any adverse impacts =o =hose animal species should be included in the final environmental doclL~,ents. Potential adverse impacts to taxa that are listed, proposed, candidates, ana species of special concern, especially the San Diego horned lizard (pblDcosoma coroEa:um blainvi!lii), legless lizard {Amaiella pulchra), Delhi Sands metalmark butterfly (Apod.m~'a mormo new subspecies), Delhi Sands jerusalem cricket (Stenope/matus new species), conve.~er~t apiocerid fly {Apiocera convergems) , and Pringle's mouardella (Monardella pringlei) , should be addressed in t_he f~-ml enviroumental documents. The Natural Diversity Data Base Of ~he Department of Fish and Game should be contacted for a list of '.a~ that likely are inhabitants of the project site. The Service retch=tends Zhac adequate sul-veys be conducted during the proper flowering or activity perind. The fi~a{ngs of the surveys and measures that will be taken to avoid/mitigate any adverse impacts to these species should be included in the final environmental documents. In s.~.-r.~.--f, we recom. mend that ~he issues regarding the enda_~gered Delhi Sa/ds fitwet-loving fly, other !isced, prcpcsed ar.d c~didace, species of special conce.~, a~d wet!ands be fully resolved prior tc certification of che final envircomencal documents. Adoption of the project, as proposed in the D-'i.R, may re~ire authorizati'on from the Service for incidental ~ake of the endu~_=ered Delhi Sands flower-loving fly '~-.der sections 7 or !0 (a) zo avoid poce~zial vio!acions of setzion 9 of ~he Act. We appreciate the cpporc'L~iz].' to review the DE!R for pczenzia! i...-.c._acts on endangered species, wildlife, a_-.d weC!a_-.ds. Please contact Marl Beth Woo!re or Ch_~is Nags_no of my staff az letterhead address or at 61S/431-9440 if you have a/~y questions. !-6-}6-TA-287 cC: CD~FG, Sacramento, CA (Azzn: D. Warenycia) CFG, Sa.~ Diego, CA (AZ~.: B. Ti.DpeCs} Warehouse-Style Retail Merchandising Center Draft E1R Response to Comments 3.2.1 FEDERAL AGENCIES United State~ Department of Interior. lrtsh and Wildlife Service fiSSFWS') RESPONSE USFWS-I Forthcoming RESPONSE USFWS-2 Forthcoming RESPONSE US~WS-3 Forthcoming RESPONSE USI. WS-4 Forthcoming RESPONSE USFWS-5 Forthcoming 6,~.,~ ~ Au~st 19, 1996 MIKI CI~ OF ~O ~ONGA 10500 CIVIC C~ER DRI~ ~O ~N~, ~ 91729 S~ject: W~HOUSE-S~ ~TAIL ~R~ISING C~ER S~ ~: 96041054 Dear MIKI BR/~TT: The State Clearinghouse submitted the above named environmental document to selected state agencies for review. The review period is closed and none of the state agencies have comments. This lette~ acknowledges that you have complied with.the State 0eh-\ Please call at (916} 445-0613 if you have any questions regarding the envir6nmental review process. When contacting the Clearinghouse in this matter, please use the eight-digit State Clearinghouse number so that we may respond promptly. Sincerely, Chief, Sta~e Clearinghouse Warehouse-S~le Retail Merchandisine Center Drab EIR Response to Comments 3.2.2 STATE AGENCIES GoverIior~ Office of PLanning, alld Research RESPONSE OPR -1 This comment is noted and is included in ~e public record for review and consideration by the appropriat~ decision makers. RECEIVED JUL 2 3 i99  CiTY OF RANCHO CUCAMONGA July 18, 1~ Ci~ of ~o Cu~nga Co~ Dev~opment D~a~t ~SSOC~I~O~ of 105~ Civic C~t~ Drive GOVERNMENTS ~o Cu~onga, CA 91~9 A~: ~. M~ Br~, ~CP, ~iate Pl~er ~: Comm~ on the D~ft ~ for lhe ~o~ ~o Cu~monga War~o~Style R~il M~ndising Cmt~ - 8~8 west S~enth Street SCAG No. I 9~218 D~ ~. Bnu: ~,r-s43s ~ you for ~e op~nity to review ~d ~ent on ~e ~ ~vitonmen~ ~pa~ Re~ ~) for ~e Pro~ ~n~o Cu~onga t C~,~ ~ W~o~Sty~ R~il M~d~ing C~t~. M ~uwide d~gho~e r~,~ ~ ~s for regio~ly si~i~t pmj~, SCAG ~ citi~, ~und~ ~ offier agenci~ w review proj~ ~d pl~ for ~ten~ wi~ regio~ pl~. ~e a~ch~ co~en5 ~e m~t ~ ~ministntive ~aen5 to provide ~id~ce for ~idering ~e pro~s~ proj~ wi~in ~e ~ntext of our ,-- ~--- ~ ~ -~ ~ ' m~dat~, ~ not~ herein. If you have ~y qu~tio~ about ~e co~en~, : ........... p[~e con=act Bill Bovd (213) 23&i9~. ~c__ :~_-~.,~ VIVIANE DOCHE-BOL'LOS COM~MENTS ON DRAFT EIR FOR THE PROPOSLD RANCHO CUCAMONGA WAREHOUSE-STYLE RETAIL MERCHANDISING CEN ProjecI Desertion The project sit~ is located on approximately 73 acres of land withha the City of Rancho Cucamonga in the southwestern part of San Beraardino County. The site is bounded on the south by Fourth Strea, on .... the we~ by M'flliken Avenue, on the east by Interstate 15, and on the north by various indust~ park uses. The pWposed projea is an amendment to the City's Industrial Area Specific Plan to add Big Box retail use as a conditjonaJly permitted use in this subaxea. The project com~'mptates the developmera of 845,330 square feet of high impact commercial use on the site. Under existing industrial park classification, the site could accommodate 1,232,153 square feet of induslxial uses. The projea she is assumed to be developed in two phases: Phase I (364,516 square feet) afar 1997 and Phase ]1 (two parcels totalling465,220 square feet) prior to 2015. Traffic analysis was performed in conformance with the County of San Bernardino Congestion Management ProFaro for Phase I, and will need to be provided for ~he two Phase II properties once development proposals have been prepared. I]. IN 1RODUCI tON TO SCAG REVXE~N PROCESS The document that provides the prhnary reference for SCAG's project review aaivity is the Regional Comprehensive Plan and Guide (RCPG)L The RCPG chapters fall into three categories: core, anc~Jlary, and bridge. The Grow',h Management, Regional Mobility (being a suwm~ry of the 1994 Regional Mobility El-m,'-t), policies in the Air Quality chapter, aJong with the Hazardous Waste Management and Water Quality chapters constitute the core chapters. These core chapters respoed directly to federal and state pining requiremeaLS. The core chapters COnstitute the base on which local governrnenLS ensure consistency of their plans with applicable regional plans under CEQA. The Air Quality and Growth Management chapters contain both core and ancillary policies, which aze differentiated in the comment pot-don of this lener. ,~aciII~"y chapters ~re those on the Economy, Housing. Huma~ Resourc5 and Services, Finance, Open Space z=d Conservation, W'ater Resources, Energy, ~.:d In:egra:ed Solid Waste Management and of the Air Quaflry chapter. These chapters address imporu~t issues facing the region and may r:tlect other regionzd plans. Ancillary chapters, however, do not contain actions or policies required of local govetmment. Hence, they are entirely advisory and establish no new mandates or policies for the region. Bridge chapters include the Strategy and Implementation chapters, functioning as links between the Core and Anciilary chapters of the RCPG. Each of the appiicable policies related to the proposed projea are identified by number and reproduced below in itali~ followed by SCAG s~af'f commen~s regarding the cousistency of the project w~th ',hose policies. ILL CONSIb lhNCY s, VITH THE CORE CH. AJ:'YERS OF THE REGIONAL CO~,fl:'REI-IEN'SIVE PLAN ANI] GUII]E See EriCnote. Ms. MLkj Bran .luly 18, 1996 Page 3 A. The Gmw,.h Mana_,zement Chanter fGMC) includes beth core and ancillary policies rh~t are particularly applirable to this project. The GMC policies relate to the three RCPG goals: to improve the regional standard of living. to maintain the regional quality of life, and to provide social, political, and cultural equity. To achieve these goals, SCAG encourages the developmere of urban foams rh=t e~able ·. individuals to spend less income on housing, minimize public and priv-a~ development costs, and that en2hle the private sector to be more competitive, thereby s~reng-.hening the regional e~oaomy. Attaining mobility and clean air goals is also critical in enhancing the quality of life in the region and can be achieved through the development of ufoan forms that accommo<late a divenity of lifen'yles, fl:at preserve open space and n:n,ral resources, and that are aestheticaJly pleasing and preserve the char':,~ of communities. Lasdy, SCAG encourages the development of urban forms that avoid economic and social polarization and of reaching equity anaong all segmen~ of society. The evaluation of the proposed project in relation to the following policies is intended to guide efforts toward achievement of such goals and does not infer regional interference with local land use powers. i. Core Growth Man~gemerg t~olicies 3.01 Tn~ population, housing. and jobs forecusts. which are adopted by 5CA G's Regional CounciJ and that reflect local plans and policies. shall be used by 5CA G in all fimses o1r bnplen~ntation and review. ~7,,~: As SCAG has designated subregions, the project area is situated within the San Bemardino County subregion. The Draft EIR does not contain information on jobs that would be provided under the Big Box retail or indusu'ial park assumptions. Therefore, it is not possible to asc. e.tuin whaher the project is generally consistent with SCAG's growth forecast,;. The Draft EER states that the tnffic analysis which w-as performed for beth Phase I and IZI of the project, uffiLu:d grov,",.h projeaions identified by the Southern Ca]ifornia Association of GovernmeaLs and the adopt~ County C~fP. It is not pc~ssible to determine whereher the analysis was based on the most recently adopted fore~,~a.sLs (I994) a~'~d modeling data. 2. Anciilary Gro~,~h Managemenz t~olicies 3.04 Encourage localjurisdiclion.v'effor?s to achieve a bal-~nce between the r~'pes of jobs they seek mlrac': and housing prices. SCAG sLaff comments. The Drait EIR, lac'ks spe.~ific informa,.ion on the types of jobs1 that might be provided and the availability of affordable housing in the vicinity. therefor not possible to assess the consistency with this policy. 3.05 Encourage pazterns of urban development and land use which reduce costs on infrastructure construction and make beiter use of existing facilities. SCA__G staff comment__s. This would avpear to be a.n 'infill' project. The DTaf~ EER is1 silent on ~h~ a',a21avii,t~ of m: : as~c,~rre, ~tnou n mdusu~ pax K uses aajac o ,'VIs. Mild Bran July 18, 1996 Page 4 3.08 Encourage subregions to define an economic strazeSy to mainttzin the economic of the subregion, including the development and use of marketing programs, and other economic incentives, which support attainment of subregional goals and policies. - - mn.. This proposed project represents a good example of the type o~St.~. economic ~uategy env~sionezl by tiffs regional plan policy. 3.11 Support provisions and incenffves created by local juns' dictions to attract housing growth in job rich subregions and job growth in h~using rich subregions. SCAG staff comments. The Dr-a.f't ~ includes a discussing on 'Promoting Jobs/Housing Balance and GMP Goals'. It appears that the discussion only addresses jobs/housing in the context of the 1989 GMP and 1991 AQMI:'. The discussion should be based on 1994 GMC of the RCPG and 1994 AQM~P. The Draft ~ statement that the project would result in 'the creation of jobs in a jobs-pN:~r subregion and the remo'al of planning consU-ahts that could, and have, produced barriers to potential job growth' is s~ll valid. The proposexl project would therefor be consistent with this policy. 3.12 Errcourage existing or proposed local jurisdictions' programs a~med at designing land uses which encourage the use of transit and thus reduce the need for roadway expansion, reduce the number of auto trips and vehicle miles traveled, and create opponttrdties for residems to walk and bike. SCAG sz.e.ff comments. The Draft ErR proposes mitigation measures 15 through 23 to help reduce the number of vebjcle t,~ps ~d vehicle miles u-aveled during consu"~c~on and ope,~Eionz] phases of the propos~ proj~t. It ~jso s~tes that the precise nature of the TDM su'~egies may not be defined in more detzdl until the buildout of d~e project site proceeds and more informaft, on is known on the nature of the employers who wilJ. be occupying the project site. 3. i3 Encourage local jurisdictions'plans thaz rnt~ximize the use of erisring urbanized creas accessible .~o transit through it:fit! and redevelopment. -~CAG sL~f comments. As sta:ed above, tiffs would be s.n 'infill" project. There is a 3.16 Encourage developments in a,M around activity centers, transportation node corridors, underutilized infrastructure ~s;en~ and areas needing recycling and redevelopment. SCAG s~..:,.: comments. The p;~posed projec~ tics ve~' ',,-'el1 wkh this region~ poii;y.l~ Ms. Mild Brat July 18, 1996 Page 5 3.18 Encourage planned development in locations least likely to cause environmental impact. 3.21 Encourage the ~mplementation of measures aimed at the preservation and protection of recorded and u~recorded cultural resources and archaeological xites, and 3.23 Encourage mitigation measures that rerl,,,'e noise in certain locations. measures aimed at preservation of biological and ecological resources, measures that ~ould reduce exposure to sei.rrnic hazards; minimize earthqudce damage and to develop emergency response and recovery plans, A ta mmen. The Draft EIR indicates that the 'project will not have a significant negative impact on a.Lr quality in the long term (5 years or longer) if it would help implement the regional growth management policy through a reduction in V'M'r or improve jobs/housing baJance and would 'help reduce VMT/VT ti'Lrough the application of TDM strategies.' Fur~ermore, the Draft FIR states that the proposed project will not result in loc~tized CO concentrations in excess of federal and state standards. B. The Reeional Mobili_ty Cha~ter or Element also has policies pertinent to this p~posed General Plan. This chapter links the goal of sustaining mobility with the goals of fostering economic development, enhancing the environment, reducing energy consumption, promoting U-ansportation-ffiendly development patterns, and encouraging fair and equitable a~ to residents affected by socio-economic, geographic and commercial Limitations. Among the relevant policies of this chapter are the following: 4.0I Promote Transportedion Demard ,'4ar~gerr~em CI'DM) progrca77s along with transit and n'desha~ffng facilities as a vqeble and desirc, ble ;er~ of the overall mobility progro. rn while recognizing the particular needs of individtazzl subregions. 4.03 Support the ersension of TDM progretn implerne,~ation to non-cornmtae trips for public and private sector activities. 4.04 Snpport the coordiv. grion of land use end trcaTs.vortazion decisions with land use avzi transportation capacity, takT'ng irdo accoum the potential for demand mart~gemem strategies to mitigate travel demand if provided for as a parr of the entire package. 4.05 Support the use of market incemives as a mechanism to affect and modify behavior toward the use of alternative modes for both commute and non-comtnute travel. 4.27 Urban form, land use and site-design policies should include requiremenss for safe and converdera non-motorized trans;ortation, including the development of bicycle pedestrian-~5'iendly environtner~rs near rrn~i:. Ms. Mild Bran July 18, 1996 Pag~ 6 CONCLUSIONS AND RECOMMENDATIONS As described in the Draft ~:IR, the proposed Rancho Cucamonga Warehouse-Style Retail Merchandising Center. appears t~ be generally consistent with the pertinent policies and .... objectives of the Regional Mobility and Growth Management ~ of the Regional Comprehensive Plan. However, a number of uncertainties with the ~t~ utilized in the Draft EIR, should be addr,'~J in the Final ELR. Ms. M~ki Brau ~uly lg, 1996 Page 7 DiDNOTE SOLrl H"~U~ CA~rrORNIA ASSOCIAIION OF GOVERNM3E;'~ SCAGisa/eggPl~at~Ale$~TesZabllshedg~derCalarom~G~ ...... .zCode~--b'.m6SQ2~tmt. Umk'rf~deralsndstat~hw. SCAG is de~gr-,~4 u · Counc/l of Govexnme~mu (COG), · Rtgloml Trmmporafitm plmmr~I AFt/(RTPA). and · Met~!mollxan Phar~ Oq, m~-~u CMPO). SCAG's .,nandatu:l mla and ,~ibillt;es Lnclude the follow/q: SCAG is deslr,-,i by 0~e federal Iovcrnmc~ u ~h~ P, tglon's Mar~l,.,I;t.,- Pf.a~g Or~'an~=~,oa u~i ma~.,,,4 t~ mei.'?laln · u;,,fi-,~g, eoopcmz~vc, and eotrzpmhmsivc tn~?orrazlen plan4~g proccu msu[zlng in · Rggio~al Traz,.si:g~azion Plan u~ · P. gg~ Traz-aport$~o~ [rz~r~vcrnc~ program pursua~ ~23 U.S.C. §1 34(g)~), 49 U.5.C. §I 6~7(0-{Z) ct sc~l., 23 C.F.iL pmla$,'~l~ of l,~c Rcg~ T~on P~ ~) ~ Rcgi~ T~on ~m~ Pm~ ~ u~ ~o~ ~AG ~ ~ibk ~ ~ F~ Cl~ ~ A~ for d~l ~/~ of Pmj~, P~ ~ P~ to ~ ~ p~, ~ ~ ~o~ ~ C~c ~ ~92. ~AG ~ ~b~ for n~w~g ~ ~g~ M~ ~ m~ ~e for c~e~y '~ ~io~ p~ [~o~ Env~ ~ Ac~ ~idc~ ~do~ 152~ ~ ~5~,). A 84/ Warehouse-Style Retail Merchandising Center Drat? EIR Response to Commtrax 3.2.3 REGIONAL AGENCIES Southern California Association of Govermnent (SCAG) RESPONSE SCAG-1 According to die April 9, 1996 Initial Study/Notice of Preparation (IS/NOP) prepared for the proposed project, the project is expected to generate primarily low-paying jobs that would be filled by the local economy; there~:n'e, the project is expected to be consistent with SCAG's growth forecasts for the region in that the project would primarily provide jobs to those individuals who are currently unemployed residents of the City of Rancho Cucamonga and surrounding areas of San Bernardino County. [t is also expected that many of the lower skill level jobs will be filled by young people entering the work force. The traffic analysis, which was prepared in compliance with SANBAG'so n'affic analysis guidelines, used the 1996 Comprehensive Transportation Plan (CTP) traffic model which was provided to the project's traffic consultant via SCAGs inland empire office. This model contains the most up-to-date information related to growth forecasts for County and the region as a whole. Therefore, the traffic analysis provided in the EIR is assumed to have utilized the most recently adopted growth forecase; and modeling data known to RESPONSE SCAG-2 Existing City policies and the activities of the City of Rancho Cucarnong-a Housing Assistance Program (HAP) provide for the housing needs of the City. More specifically, the HAP through the federal Housing and Urban Development (HUD) deparlxnent, assists low and medium income families. Althoug. h the project is expected w generate a certain amount of managerial-type positions, a majority of the positions would be low-skilled (e.g., retail, etc.) in nature and would be filled by the local economy. Due to these low-skilled ty~ of jobs created by the proposed Warehouse-style Merchandising Center, the project is not expected to create a migration of low-skilled employees to the Rancho Cucamonga area. RESPONSE SCAG-3 As stated in the April 9, 1996 IS/NOP, development of the proposed project will result in an increase demand for infrastructure-type services and utilities such as police and fire services, schools, electricity, natural ga_s, telephone, water, sewer, storm drains, and solid waste systems. This demand is not expected to be significantly different than the demand contemplated with the development of the site with the currendy designated industrial park uses. Increases in these service and utility system have been anticipated since the approval of the Lnduslrial Area Specific Plan in 1981. Moreover. although the project is net expected to refit in an increased demand for new housing, and therefore, an increase in children, Warehouse-Style Retail Merchandisin$ Center Dra. R EIR Response to Comments the proposed project woutd still be required to contribute development impact fees to the school diswicts in accordance with their school impac~ fee program to provide for the necessary educational infraslrucmre within the City. RESPONSE SCAG4 The comment is noted and is included in the public record for review and consideration by the appropriate decision makers. RESPONSE SCAG-5 The comment is noted and is included in the public record for review and consideration by the appropriate decision makers. RESPONSE SCAG-6 The comment is noted and is included in the public record for review and consideration by the appropriate decision makers. RESPONSE SCAG-7 Local bus service in the project area is operated by the County of San Bernardino. The systein, Omnitrarks, covem three large geographic areas or alMsions, of which the City of Rancho Cucamonga is located in the West Valley Division. Ridership in t~e IASP is minimal because lit'tie induswial development has occurred along potential routes; however, ridership is increasing. There is a potential for employees and visitors of the Warehouse-style Merchandising Center to udlize existing and/or proposed public transit facilities in the project area. Therefore, during review of site specific design plans for the proposed project, the City of Rancho Cucamonga will coordinate with Ortmitrans to determine the need for bus-stops and/or other public transit facilities that would assist in serving the potential public transit needs of the project. RESPONSE SCAG-8 The comment is noted and is included in the public record for review and consideration by the appropriate decision makers. WJB/00IS0013.RTC 3-' Response to Comments A, q3 Warehouse-Style Retail Merchandis~ng Cemer Dral~ EIR Response to Comtnents RESPONSE SCAG-9 The cogent is noted and is included in the public record for review and consideration by t~e appropriate decision makers. R E C itD ENDANGERED HABITATS LEAGUE .4UG Dan Silver o Coordinator " * 8424A Santa Monica Ivd. 1592 T~0r~a L~ Angdea, CA ~0694210 . ~:' · ' ":S'.' Augtat 15, 1996 Plarming DeFt. City of Rane_ho Cucamonga AT'rN: Miki Bratt 10500 Civic Cmer Dr. Rancho Cucam~nga, CA 91730 RE: Draft Environmental Impact Report, Waz~house~tyle Retail Merdundising Center (SCH f9(~041054) Dear Sirs / Madarns: The Endangered Habitats League is an or~a~niTaflon of Southern California conservation groul:~ and individuals dedimed to ecosystem protection, improved land use planning, and collaborative conflkt resolution. We pa_,tidpate in e~orB to ~solve potential emvizonmenlal-economic eoniicts, such as Sta~e of California Na,ural Communities Con.~-vation Planning (NC(~), serviz~ on advisoF/ committees for such programs in L~s Anb, eles, Rive~ide, San Diego, Orange, and San Bema~lino Courak, s. We appreciate the opportunity to comme~ on the above-et4enmct, d doGtmem. · 1. Potential i~lpacts to the envi~on~ment zr~ not fully disclost~l. Although the site contains soils a3sodated with the federally endangered Delhi Sand~ flower-loving fly, adecluate survey,3 for this species have not been undertaken. Similarly adequate surv.eys are needed for various other sensitive spedes and species of special concern. such as lonerhead shrike. burrowing owl, San Diego horned lizard, legless Lizard, DeLhi Sands metalmark butterfly, ~'~ %' ' \ DeLb. i Sands ~erusalem cricket. convergent apiocerid fly. and Prin~le's rnonardella. 2. Feasible avoidance and mitigation measth-es have not ben undertaken. Measuxes such a.s avoidance and mitigation to rt:,duce any direct or indirect impacts to the Delhi Sands flower loving fly to insi~:r~ficant levels have not been analyzed. SLmilarly, no such measures for the other species listed above have been formulated. These potential impacts must be considered both ~:~k- ~, indi'.4dually and cumulativety with other foreseeable projects. We thus find the DEIR deftdent and ttrge improvemems. Thank you for considerin~ our cornmems, and please add us to the mailing list for future notiScafions and documents for th~ project. Sincerely, Dan Silver, Coordir,~tor Warehouse-St~le Retail Merctmndisin~, Center Draft E1R Rest~onse to Comments 3.2.4 PRIVATE ORGANIZATIONS Endam, ered Habitat Leagu_¢ RESPONSE EFII.-i See Response USFWS-I, -3, --4, and -5. RESPONSE EBI,-2 See Response USF'WS-I, -3, 4, and -5. DRAFT MITIGATION MONITORlinG PROGRAM FOR l'ltle; WAI~:HOUSE--S'rYI~ RET,&I1, ~CItANDISING CENrI~il¢ Ell{ State Clearinghouse Number 96041054 Submitted m: City of Rancho Cucarnonga Planning Deparunent 10500 Civic Center Drive Rancho Cuc. axnonga, California 91730 Contact: Mild Bratt, AICP, Associate Planner Prepared by: Michel Brandman Associates 17310 Red Hill Avenue, Suite 250 lp,'ine, California 92614 (714) 250-5555 Contact: Michael E. I-toulihan, AICP, Senior Project Manager September 1996 JJlT TABLE OF CONTENTS Section 1.0 INTRODUCTION ......................................... 2.0 PROGRAM MANAGEMENT ................................. 2.1 Roles and Responsibilities ............................... 2.2 General Procedures ................................... 1.0 INTRODUCTION Section 21081.6 to the Public Resources Code requires a lead or responsible agency that approves or carries out a project where an environmental impact report has identified ~ignificam environmental effects to adopt a "reporting or monitoring program for adopted or required chanEes to mitigate or avoid significant environmemal ~T-ects." The City of Rancho Cucamonga is the I~a agency for the Warehouse- style Retail Merchandising Center EIR. A draft enviromental impact report has been prepared for this project and addressed potential environmental impacB and, where appropriate, recommended measures to mitigate thes~ impact. As such, a mitigation reperting or monitoring program is required to ensure that adopted mitigation measures are implemented. The ~oject is located at the southern boundar3' of the City of Rancho Cucamonga and is within the existing Industrial Area Specific Plan CLASP). The project site is hounded by Fourth Street to the south, on the west by hillliken Avenue, on the north by various industrial park uses, and on the east by Interstate 15 0-15). The proposed project includes the development of high impact commercial uses. 2.0 PROGRA~t MANAGEMENT The mitigation monil~ing plan (M1MP) for the Warehouse-style Retail Merehandising Center EIR will he in place through all phases of project approval. Enforcement of the lVlMP will he the responsibility of a Project Manager (I'M). 2.1 ROLES AND RESPONSIBHATLES: PROJECT MANAGER The PM is assigned by the Cogunity Development Deparwaent Director. The PM assigned to the proposed project will supervise the MMP through all phases of project approval and is responsible for the overall management of the MMP. The mitigation measures identified in the MMP fall into two categories: 1. Measures that need to he satisfied prior to the issuance of building permits, and 2. Measures that are implemented with subsequent levels of development through conditions of approval. The PM is thoroughly familiar with the project and qualified to determine if an adopted measure is being properly implemented. The PM oversees the MMP and will determine the need for a measure to he modified and ensure the use of a mitigation specialist if technical expertise beyond the PM's is required. If it is found 'd~at an adopted mitigation measure is not being properly implemented, the PM would reqtlire comefive actions to ensure adequate implementation. The responsibilities of the PM include the following: 1. Appropriate specialists will be retained, as needed. to monitor specific miti~tion activities and provide appropriate written approvals to the PM. 2. TI~ PM and/or an assignee will approve, by signature and dat~, the completion of each action i~m that is identified on the Mitigation Monitoring Matrix. 3. Unamicipaaxl circumstances may ax~ requiring the refinemere or addition of mitigation measures. The PM is responsible for approving any such refu~ments or additions. 4. The PM has the mm~'~rity ~ ~k,~ the work of construction conuzmrs if compfianc,~ with any aspec~ of the MMP is not occun'ing after wrillen notification has been issued. The PM also has anthority to hold certifieatP. s of occupancies if colXpllanC, e Widi a mitigation measure attached bere~o is not occurring. The PM also has authority to hold the issuance Of a business license until all mitigation measures ar~ implement,'.d. 2.2 GENERAL PROCEDURES MMP _Pro~Ermn Definitions The MMP consists of key program elements. The definitions of these elements axe summarized below. F'des are established to document and retain records of the MMP. The file organiT~on is established by the PM according to mitigation measures and project phases. Enviromental Comp~ance Verification At the completion of construction contracts that axe part of the overall development of the project, a verification of environmental compliance is executed by the PM. The verification concludes the construction monitoring process for the contract. MitLoation Monitorin_. ~Program Procedures The policies and procedures for the MMP described herein are intended to provide focused, yet flexible guidelines for monitoring the implementation of the mitigation measures discussed in the draft EIR. Table I ~ each mitigation measure and the implementor, the responsible party for monitoring, and the timing of implementation for each mitigation measure for the proposed project. Table I also provides the PM a verification of compliance for each mitigation measure during each applicable phase of the project. Afar each measure is verified for compliance, no further action is required for the specific phase. The PM shall initial and date the measure on Table I. The environmenial effects of the proposed project are analyzed in the EIR ~o the degree of speci~city appropriate to the current proposed project, in accordanc~ with Section 15146 of the State CEQA Guidelines. This I:IR was prepanxl nn-I certified to provide the primary environmental documentation for thr~ properties located on the project s~te: brassion Land Company, Investment Oltmnn% and Bixby Ranch Company properties. All three properties included the same proposed amendment to the IASP; however, the three properlies were addressed in ~his EIR commensurate with the level and mount of land plannlnE information. The Mission I and Company property currently has a specific development proposal while the InvesUnent OItman~ and Bixby Ranch do not. Even though the three properties are at different levels of planning, the EIR analysis will serve as the primary environmental document for the following series of actions for all three properties: IASP amendment, subdivision/parcel maps, matter plan.s, conditional use permits, building permits, and grading permits. Where site plans have not been available for the Investment Olumaes and Bixby Ranch Company properties, the City identified intended uses and maximum square footages that the City feels is appropriate for the ~,,overdes in order to maintain compatibility of uses and intensities within the project area. Dis_nasition of Monitorin~ Forms The MMP file is kept with the City of Rancho Cucamonga during the pre-design, design, construction, and operational phases of the project. The file will be available from the City upon request at the following address: City of Rancho Cucamonga CLead Agency) Planning Deparmaent 10500 Civic Center Drive Rancho Cucamonga, California 91730 TABLE I MITIGATION MONITORING MATRIX WAREl-lOUSE-STYLE RETAIL MERCIIANDISING CENTER MITIGATION MONITORING PROGRAM Rcsponsiblo for Verification of Comn[htner Mitigation Implemcnlor Monitoring' Timing SiJnaturo Dat~ INVI~NTORY OF MITIGATION MEASURES In the columns to the right are listed personnel/ agencies responsible for implementation for monitoring, timing, and compliance. Mitigation measures are listed by topical area. 'l'rafl~c and Circnlatl~r~n 1. Under thcdevelopment ofphases I and ]l in Ihc year 2015, the following improvemcnls to inletsections and freeway segments are rccomlnended as mitigation measures to achieve LOS E or b~tcr. The proposed project shall contribute on a fair share, basis to the construction of circulation improvements identified as necessary at the time of isstaancc ofbuildlng pennlts. Fair share allocations and payment of traffic fees shall be consistent with the provisions of the Transportation Dcvelllpmcnl hnpact Fee (Ordinance No. 445). operate at LOS F conditions in the 2015 certificate, of occupancy project. This condition is a function of the particular the high volume of p.m. peak hour northbound through and right turn movements. As mitigation for this inter~ection, modifiealions to the: traffic signal phasing to allow for a dedicaled Footnoles are printed on page 9. WJB/ooIBool].MMp TABLE 1 (continued) Responsible for Verification of Compliance Mitigation Implementor Monitoring Timing SiSnature Dam ca.stlx~und and westbound left turn lthases is Milllken Avenue/Foothill Boulevard b. Miliiken Avenue/Foothill Boulevard is Project Applicant City Engineer Prior to issuance of furcoast to operate at LOS F conditions in cerd~e. al~ of occupancy the 2015 condition with and without the proposed project. This condition is a function of the critical movement traffic volumes, in particular the high volume of p.m. peak hour eastbound through nlovements and the two eastbound through lanes. The existing pavement width can accommodate an additinnal easthound Ihrough lane with sniping modifications and signage changes. As mitigation for this intersection, a third eastbound through lane Air Ouafit}: 2. The following SCAQMD mitigation measures Prnject Applicant City Planner Prior to approval of have been incorporated into the proposed development plans associated with new development. The nlajt~rity of these measures are oriented toward i~rqject construction or at least more detailed levels of planning than is associated with a specific plan amendtnent. The llzaaihility attd appropriateness nf each measure Can I~est he determined at more detailed levels of planning {i.e., Devehtpment/Design Review) liar ate proposed project. ~U!~ii~Clli':~;ll,~: follow ng ttnsurcs s~s'l~oiliin~ct~d for'futuro levels of I,rujc~t imptemen,itiQD,: b~!, Oidy iu determ ned Timing and means of implementation of these Fallential mares are further described below: Footnotes are printed on page 9. WJB/00180OI3.MMP 5 TABLE 1 (continued) Responsible for Verification of Compliance Mitigation [n~plementor Monitoring' Timin.~ Signature Dat~ a. Use low-emission alternative fuel (i.e., Project Applicant] Director of Prior to issuance of methanoi, butsne, or propane) as praeti- Grading and Building Community grading and/or cable in mobile constnmtion equipment Permit Cunditions Development building permits, u (e.g., tractor, scraper, dozer). applicable li. Develnp a trip reduction plan to achieve Project Applicant Director of Prior to issuance of 1.5 AVR for construction employees. Community grading permits Development c. Comply with SCAQMD Rules 402 and 403 Prnject Applicant Director of Prior to issuance of ctmcerning implementation of dust Community grading permits suppression techniques to prevent fugitive Development dust froIn creating a nuisance offsite. '~ d. Empl~y construction activity munagt:mcnt Project Applicant/ Director of Print to issuance of ~c techniques, such ' as extending rite Grading And 13uildlng Community grading and/or ctmstructhm period, reducing dic nmnber of Permits Conditions Development building permits, Its ~ pieces of equipment used simultaneously, applicable increasing the distance between emission {~h sources, reducing or changing die hours of construction, and scheduling activity during '~ oil=peak hours.~ e, Suh]~end grading crperations during first and Project ApplicanlJ Director of Prior TO issuance of second stage smog alerts. Grading Permit Community grading permits Conditions Development f. Suspend all grading operations when wind Project Applicant/ Director of Prior to issuance of speeds (. instantaneous gusts) exceed 25 Grading and Building ' Community grading and/or mile, s per hour. Permit Conditions Development ' building permits, ~ applicthlc g. Maintain consm~ction equipment engines hy Project Applicant/ Director of Prior to issutqce of keeping diem adequately tuned. Grading and Building Conununity grading and/or Pem~it Conditi,.m. Development building p.~rmits, u tl:,plicable Foolnotes are printed on page 9. WIB/IXlIaOOI3.MMp 6 TABLE I (continued) Responsible for ~ ' Mitigation hnplememor Monitoring' Timing Signature Datg h. Use Iow-sulfur fuel for stationary Project Applicant/ Director of Priorto issuanceof construction equipment, Grading and Building Community grading and/or Permit Condltltma Development building permits, as .applicable i. Use existing power sources (e.g., power Project Applicant/ Director of Prior to issuance of p,les) or clean-I~l generah~rs rather than Grading and Building Community grading and/or temporary power generators. Permit Conditions Development building permits, as applicable j. Use low-emission onsite equipment (e.g., Project Applicant Director of Prior to approval of enctbanol-, propane-, or butass-powered Community development plans internal combustion engines) instead of Development diesel or gasoline. '~ 3. 'ru reduce automobile emissions by reducing Ihe number of vehicles driven to a work site on '~ a daily basis and Oarough (xaf~c flow improvements, the project developer should ~ give consideration to the following measures: CJ~ a. Develop a transportation demand I'roject Applicant Director of Prior to approval of CfX management {TDM) program that ctnnplieu Community development plans with the TDM Ordinance adopted by the Development City. The TDM program shall include an itemization of the TDM measures. developing the TDM program, the project developer shall give consideration to the Ibllowing TDM measures, as applicable. , Provide preferential parking to high- occupancy vehicles, ·Configure parking to midimize interference. *Minimize obstnwtion of through-~affic lanes. Footnotes are printed on page 9. WJll/OOIgOOI3,MMP 7 TABLE 1 (continued) Responsible for Verification of Complianc~ Mititlation hnplemeolor Monitorinl~ TimittlI Signature Date ·Schedule operations affect on traffic for off-peak hours.~ ·Schedule goods movements for off-peak hours b. Require development practices thai Project Applicant Director of Prior to approval of maximlze energy conservation~ as a Community development plans prerequisite to permit approval. Development c. Imprt~ve the thermal integrity of buildings, Project Applicant Building OfficiM Prior to issuance of and reduce the thermal load with automated celli~cates of time clocks or occupant sensors. occupancy d. Introduce window glaring, wall insulation, Project Applicant Building Official Prior to issuance of and efficient ventilation methods. building permits e. Introduce energy-efficient heating and Project Applicant Director of Building Riot to issuance of coofang appfianees, such as water heaters, tad Safety certificates of cooking equipment, refrigerators, air occupancy condidoners, furnaces, and boiler units. f. Use devices that mlnilnize the comhus~on Project Applic.nt Director of Prior to issuance of of fossil fuels. Community building permits Development g. Capture waste heap and re-employ it in Project Applicant Building Official Prior to issuance of nonresidential buildings. building permits b. Landscape building and median landscape Project Applicant Director of Prior to issuance of aseas with nadve drought-resistant species, Community building permits as appropriate, to reduce water Development clmsumpdon and to provide passive solar benslits. Noise 4. Proposed onsite land uses that have the Project Applicant City Pitsnet Prior to approval of potential to result in generation of noise levels development pltns of greater than 75 dBA Ldn on adjacent Footnotes are printed on page 9. WJIt/0OIS0OI3.MMp 8 TABLE I (continued) / Responsible for yert~eafinn of Compliance Mitigation Irnplementor Monitoring' Timing Signature Date properties are required to shield Ihe stationary noise sources so that noise levels on adjacent propcdles do not exceed 75 dBA Ldn. Shielding could be provided by the utilization of sound barrier walls or structures acting as effective sound barrier. All active outdoor use areas' associated with Project Applicant City Planner Prior to approval of tile proposed comlnercia} uses shall be located development plans in areas cxposed to noise levels of 70 dBA Ldn or less from vehicular and stationary noise sources. Any active outdoor uses on the project silo that are located in areas exposed to noise levels of greater than 70 dBA Ldn arc required to be sblclded from the dominant noise source, by utilizing sound barrier walls or structures acting as cffccllvc sound harriers. to in·arc conform·nee with the City's noise standard. N/A = Not applicable. Footholes A project manager assigned by the Community Development Director will over~e~ monitoring of MI mitigation measures. Off-~cak Irafile hours - Off-peak Irafile hours refers to the hours in · 24-hour p~rlod with the lowest hourly volumes of measure~l taffic. Conve. r,¢ly, p~Ak traffic hotill are Ihosc bouts wbich have the highest traffic volumes. Typically, ther~ are two peak poriods in · 24-hour period, ·n ·.m. pe. lk a. nd a p.m. peak. Though peak and off- peak traffic hours may vary by lot·don orjurisdlction, generally ·.m. peak houa oeeur bawe.~n 6 to 9 Lm. and p.m. ~ houa ar~ from 3 to 6 p.m. Therefor=, off- peak Irafile hours would generally occur betw~n 9 a.m. and 3 p.m. ·rid be.t.w~n 6 p.m. ·rid 6 a.m. Dcvelooment practice that maximize energy conservation - Specific examples of dcvclopmcnt practices that maximize energy conservation may include, but am not limited Io tile following: · Use.of central water heating systems · ,!ncorporatinn of shade Irecs on soulhem and wcslern side of buildings to reduce building heating/cooling needs ~-- Use of double-paned glass windows Use of light-colored roofing and facade materials to reflect heat ·increased wall and attic insulation beyond Title 24 requirements Waste heat - W·sto heat refers to the heat energy byproduet that may be given off by various heating/cooling equipment or various mt. nufacturlng proeel·el. Examples of capulring and re-employing waste heat include: · Co-generation of energy whereby the wasle lien· from beath}g/cooling · building is ealRured and used to heat water for that or another building. A,;live outdoor uses ~r~:as - Outdoor active use areas as·oct·led with the proposed eommen:ial uses are areas where people c. ongr~g·~ ·rid pemiin for exteandcd periods of WJII/OOISOOI3.~IMP 9 DRAFT FOR SIGNI~'ICANT ENVIRO~AL E~'m~ OF THK ~O~ ~ ~A~ OF O~l~G CON~ONS ~ ~ b~ ~ A~ (CEQA) ~b~c ~s C~ ~on 21~1, ~ G~de~ ~cdon 15~1 pro~de ~t: "No public agen~ ~11 approve or ~ out a project f~ w~c ~n ~ ~n ~ w~ch idenfi~ o~ or more ~e en~o~nt ~t wo~d ~ ff~ project is approv~ ~ ~ out ~ ~e , ma~e~ o~ or more of ~e foHo~g ~gs: a. C~ges or ~om ~ve ~n re~ ~, ~, ~e project w~ch ~fi~ or avoid ~e si~t effe~ on b. ~ose c~ges or ~m~fio~ ~e wi~n ~e ~ j~cfion of ~o~er public agency ~ ~ve ~n, or ~ ~ sho~d by ~t o~cr agency. c. S~ci~c e~no~c, ~ci~, or o~er ma~e ~ble ~e m~es or M~ves idenfifi~ ~ ~ct ~ ~e W~ehol-s~le Re~ Merc~sing ~) idenffi~ ~i~t e~ ~t ~y ~ ~ a ~t of ~e ~ ac~r~ wi~ ~e ~ovisio~ of C~A ~ ~A ~&~, ~e Ci~ of~o ~ ~ E ~ of ~e appro~ of ~e W~eho~-s~le Re~l ~roje~ ~ rela~ ~e Ci~ project in accor~ce wi~ CEQA and CEQA G~de~ tenement. ~ EIR was subje ~ review and approval by ~e Ci~ of ~cho Cu~monga Ci~ Co~cil. At a public hea~ng hek ., ~e E~ w~ ce~ed E adeq~m in accor~ wi~ CEQA proced~es. ~ adop~ ~s Su~ment ~e Ci~ of hncho Cu~onga Ci~ Co~ci[ approves ~e Warehouse-s~le Merch~sin ~roject. ~1 ~b~ent IASP men~en~, ~vision p~l ~ps, ~r pl~, ~fio~ Fa~ng ~, ~fi~on implemenu~on, and re~a~ a~eemen~ ~ reviewed b~ on ~e docmenufion in ~e E~ ~d ~e previo~ly prep~ I~fial. of Prep~a~on (Ap~I 1~). FINDINGS OF FACT IN SUPPORT OF FINDINGST;~ ~ FOR SIGNI~'ICANT ENVIRONIVIENTAL EF!~'ECTS OF PROJECT AND STATEMENT OF OVERRIDING CONSEDERATIONS INTRODUCTION The California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) Public Resources Code Section 21081, and the CEQA Guidelines Section 15091 provide that: "No public agency shall approve or carry out a project for which an environmental impact report has been certified which identifies one or more significant effects on the environment ant would occur if the project is approved or carried out unless the public agency makes one or more of the following findings: a. Changes or alterations have been required in, or incorporated into, the project which mitigate or avoid the sig~cant effects on the environment. b. 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. c. Specific economic, social, or other considerations make infeasible the mitigation measures or alternatives identified in the environmental impact report. Because the Warehouse-style Retail Merchandising Center environmental impact report (EIR) identified significant effects that may occur as a result of the project, and in accordance with the provisions of CEQA and CEQA Guidelines, the City of Rancho Cuc. amonga hereby adopts these findings as pan of the approval of the Warehouse-style Retail Merchandising Center project and related applications. The City of Rancho Cucamonga has prepared an EIR for ~he project in accordance with CEQA and CEQA Guidelines requirements. An EIR was subject to review and approval by the City of Rancho Cucamonga City Council. At a public hearing held on , the EIR was certified as adequate in accordance with CEQA procedures. In adopting this Statement of Findings of Fact, the City of Rancho Cucamonga City Council approves the Warehouse-style Merchandising Center project. All subsequent IASP amendments, subdivision parcel maps, master plans, conditionzd use permits, building permits, grading permits, mitigation implementation, and regulatory agreements will be reviewed based on the documentation in the EIR and the previously prepared Initial Study/Notice of Preparation (April 1996). MITIGATED ADVERSE IMPACTS The potential significant adverse impacts that will be mitigated are listed below. The Rancho Cucamonga City Council finds that these potential adverse impacts will be mitigated to a level that is considered less than significant after implementation of recommended mitigation measures. TRA~'~'IC AND CIRCULATION Implementation of phase I would generate approximately 16,210 average daily Wips and 1,510 p.m. peak hour trips. Implementation of phase II would generate approximately 15,546 average daily wips and 1,459 p.m. peak hour trips. The proposed project (Phases I and II) would generate approximately 31,756 average dally ~ps and 2,969 p.m. peak hour Wips. In the interim year 1997, the implementation of Phase I would not result in the exceedsnee of the level of service at adjacent intersections (i.e., LOS E). The implementation of the proposed project (Phases I and II) would signj~can~y contribute to a cumulative exceedante of LOS E in the year 2015 at the following intersections: · Milliken Avenue/Fourth SWeet · Milliken Avenue/Foothill Boulevard Changes or alterations have been required in, or incorporated into, the project which mitigate or avoid the significant effects on the environment. Facts in Su_o_nort of Findings The significant effect has been eliminated or substantially lessened to a level that is less than sigul~cant by virtue of the following mitigation measure as identified in the final EIR and incorporated into the project: · Under the development of Phases I and II in the year 2015, the following improvements to intersections are recommended as mitigation measures to achieve LOS E or better. The proposed project shall contribute on a fair share basis to the construction of circulation improvements identified as necessary at the time of issuance of building permits. Fair share allocations and payment of txaffic fees shall be consistent with the provisions of the Transportation Development Impact Fee (Ordinance No. 445). Milliken Avenue/Fourth Sweet a. Milliken Avenue/Fourth SWeet is forecast to operate at LOS F conditions in fiae year 2015 condition with the proposed project. This condition is a function of the large volume of norfiabound movements, in particular the high volume of p.m. peak hour northbound through and right turn movements. To reduce the cumulative traffic impact at this intersection to a level that is considered less than significant, modifications to the traffic signal phasing to allow for a dedicated northbound right mrn phase during the easthound and westhound left turn phases is recommended. Milliken Avenue/Foothill Boulevard b. Milliken Avenue/Foothill Boulevard is forecast to operate at LOS F conditions in the 2015 condition with and without the proposed project. This condition is a function of the critical movement traffic volumes, in particular the high volume of p.m. peak hour easthound through movements and the two easthound through lanes. The existing pavement width can accommodate an additional easthound through lane with striping modifications and signage changes. To reduce the cumulative traffic impact at this intersection to a level that is considered less than significant, a third easthound through lane is recommended. NOISE The City of Rancho Cucamonga has set development standards within its Industrial Area Specific Plan GASP) area. The project site is located within this IASP area, therefore, the Industrial Performance Standards (IPS) apply to onsite developments. The project site is designated as Class B. Noise standards for Class B industrial area indicates that the maximum allowable noise level of any use shall not exceed 75 dBA Ldn as measured at the lot line of the lot containing the use. Noise caused by motor vehicles and trains are exempted from this standard. Commercial land uses within the project site may be exposed to noise levels of greater than 75 dBA Ldn from stationary sources associated with the proposed commercial uses (i.e., automotive service and repair uses). Changes or alterations have been required in, or incorporated into, the project which mitigate or avoid the significant effects on the environment. Facts in Support of Findings The significant effect has been eliminated or substantially lessened to a level that is less than significant by virtue of the following mitigation measure as identified in the final EIR and incorporated into the project: · Proposed onsite land uses that have the potential to result in generation of noise levels of greater than 75 dBA Ldn on adjacent properties are required to shield the stationary noise sources so that noise levels on adjacent properties do not exceed 75 dBA Ldn. Shielding could be provided by the utilization of sound barrier walls or structures acting as effective sound barrier. According to the City of Rancho Cucamonga's Noise Element, the standard for active outdoor uses is 70 dBA Ldn. The proposed project could include active outdoor activities (i.e., outdoor eating at restaurants). The proposed project uses may be exposed to noise levels that exceed 70 dBA Ldn and, therefore, could experience significant noise impacts. Changes or alterations have been required in, or incorporated into, the project which mitigate or avoid the significant effects on the environment. Facts in Support of Findings The significant effect has been eliminatod or substantially lessened to a level that is less than significant by virtue of the following mitigation measure as identified in the final EIR and incorporated into the project: · All active outdoor use areas associated with the proposed commercial uses shall be located in areas exposed to noise levels of 70 dBA Ldn or less from vehicular and stationary noise sources. Any active outdoor uses on the project site that are located in areas exposed to noise levels of greater than 70 dBA Ldn are required to be shielded from the dominant noise source, by using sound barrier walls or structures acting as effective sound barriers, to insure conformance with the City's noise standard. SIGNIFICANT UNAVOIDABLE ADVERSrE IMPACTS The potential significant unavoidable adverse impacts associated with the implementation of the Warehouse- style Retail Merchandising Center project are listed below. The Rancho Cucamonga City Council finds that these potential significant adverse impacts would be reduced with the implementation of the recommended mitigation measures; however, the impacts cannot be reduced to a level less than significant. The Rancho Cucamonga City Council is adopting a Statement of Overriding Consideration per Section 15093 of the CEQA Guidelines. TRA}'I~IC AND CIRCULATION The proposed project (Phases I and I1) would significantly contribute to the cumulative exceedance of LOS E in the year 2015 at the following fleeway segments. VFJB/00180013 .FIN 4 · Southbound 1-15 between Jurupa Avenue and 1-10 · Southbound I-15 between SR-60 and Jurupa Avenue Specific economic, social, or other considerations make infeasible the mitigation measures or alternatives identified in the EIR. Facts in Support of Findings To reduce the impacts on these two freeway segments to a level that is considered less than significant, these two freeway segments would need to be improved from 4 to 5 lanes. The addition of one lane to both freeway segments are not considered feasible for individual property owners to construct because there are no implementation mechanisms for an individual property owner to implement an additional lane on a freeway. Furthermore, the addition of lanes on freeway segments are beyond the local (municipal) authority to implement. During conslruclion activities associated with Phase I and Phase II of the proposed project, approximately 871 pounds and 739 pounds of PMI0 per day, respectively, would be generated during grading activities. Fugitive PMI0 emissions would exceed the South Coast Air Quality Management District' s (SCAQMD) threshold of 150 pounds per day, and would, therefore, be considered significant. Exhaust emissions from construction equipment and vehicles during construction activities would result in approximately 138 pounds of NOx per day which would exceed the SCAQMD threshold of 55 pounds per day for NOx. Specific economic, social, or other considerations make infeasible the mitigation measures or alternatives identified in the EIR. Facts in Support of Findings Implementation of the following mitigation measure will serve to lessen project impacts; however, the impacts would remain significant. Except for the No Project/No Development Alternative, the project alternatives analyzed in the EIR would not avoid the significant and unavoidable adverse air quality impacts during construction activities. These alternatives would result in the same air quality impacts during construction compared to the proposed project. The No Project Alternative would not meet the objectives of the proposed project. The following SCAQMD mitigation measures are recommended to be incorporated into the proposed project. These measures can reduce emissions associated with new development. The majority of these measures are oriented toward more detailed levels of planning than is associated with the Specific Plan amendment. The feasibility and appropriateness of each measure can best be determined at more detailed levels of planning (i.e., Development/Design Review) for the proposed project. As such, the following measures are recommended for future levels of project implementation, but only as determined to be feasible and appropriate at that time. To reduce particulate emissions from paved and unpaved roads, the construction activities, the project applicant shall: · Use low-emission alternative fuel (i.e., methanoi, butane, or propane) as practicable in mobile construction equipment (e.g., tractor, scraper, dozer). · Develop a trip reduction plan to achieve 1.5 AVR for construction employees. · Comply with SCAQMD Rules 402 and 403 concerning implementation of dust suppression techniques to prevent fugitive dust from creating a nuisance offsite. · Employ construction activity management techniques, such as extending the construction period, reduchag the number of pieces of equipment used simultaneously, increasing the distance between emission sources, reducing or changing the hours of construction, and scheduling activity during off-peak hours. · Suspend grading operations during first and second stage smog alerts. · Suspend all grading operations when wind speeds (as instantaneous gusts) exceed 25 miles per hour. · Maintain construction equipment engines by keeping them adequately tuned. · Use low-sulfur fuel for stationary construction equipment. · Use existing power sources (e.g., power poles) or clean-fuel generators rather than temporary power generators. · Use low-emission onsite equipment (e.g., methanoi-, propane-, or butane-powered internal combustion engines) instead of diesel or gasoline. Implementation of the above measure will serve to substantially, but not completely, mitigate the potential significant air quality impact. The remaining unavoidable adverse impact is considered to be acceptable in light of the Statement of Overriding Considerations provided herein as Attachment A. Operational emissions (stationary and mobile) in the year 1997, that are associated with Phase I of the proposed project and in the future (year 2015) that are associated with Phases I and II of the proposed project, would exceed SCQAMD significance thresholds for CO, NOx, and ROC. Specific economic, social, or other considerations make infeasible the mitigation measures or alternatives identified in the EIR. Facts in Support of FindinEs Implementation of the following mitigation measures will serve to lessen project impacts; however, the impacts would remain significant. The implementation of the No Project/No Development Alternative and the No Project/Development as Allowed by IASP Alternative would result in significantly less operational emissions compared to the proposed project. The No Project/No Development Alternative would not increase operational emissions. The No Project/Development as Allowed by IASP Alternative would increase operational emissions; however, lifts increase would not be significant in the future year 2015. Asstuning a similar amount of development in the year 1997 as the proposed project, this alternative would result in less operational emissions compared to the proposed project; however, these emissions would still be significant in the interim year 1997. Both of these project alternatives were rejected from further consideration because they did not meet the objectives of the proposed project. The Alternative Site would result in the same operational emission impacts compared to the proposed project. The following SCAQMD mitigation measures are recommended to be incorporated into the proposed project. These measures can reduce emissions associated with new development. The majority of these measures are oriented toward project construction or at least more detailed levels of planning than is associated with the Specific Plan amendment. The feasibility and appropriateness of each measure can best be determined at more detailed levels of planning (i.e., Development/Design Review) for the proposed project. As such, the following measures are recommended for future levels of project implementation, but only as determined to be feasible and appropriate at flint time. To reduce automobile emissions by reducing the number of vehicles driven to a work site on a daily basis and through traffic flow improvements, the project applicant shall: Develop a transportation demand management (TDM) program that complies with the TDM Ordinance adopted by the City. The TDM program shall include an itemization of the TDM measures. In developing the TDM program, the project developer shall give consideration to the following TDM measures, as applicable. · Provide preferential parking to high-occupancy vehicles. · Configure parking to minimize traffic interference. · Minimize obstruction of though-traffic lanes. · Schedule operations affecting ~affic for off-peak hours. · Schedule goods movements for off-peak hours. To reduce stationary emissions of operation-related activities, the project applicant shall: · Require development practices that makimize energy conservation as a prerequisite to permit approval. · Improve the thermal integrity of buildings, and reduce the thermal load with automated time clocks or occupant sensors. · In~oduce window glazing, wall insulation, and efficient ventilation methods. · Introduce energy-efficient heating and cooling appliances, such as water heaters, cooking equipment, refrigerators, air conditioners, furnaces, and boiler units. · Use devices that minimize the combustion of fossil fuels. · Capture waste heat and re-employ it in nonresidential buildings. · Landscape building and median landscape areas with native drought-resislant species, as appropriate, to reduce water consumpfon and to provide passive solar benefits. Implementation of the above measure will serve to substantially, but not completely, mitigate the potential significant air quality impact. The remaining unavoidable adverse Impact is considered to be acceptable in light of the Statement of Overriding Considerations provided herein as Attachment A. Localized CO emissions (i.e., "hot spots") associated with the proposed project at the Fourth Street/I-15 Southbound ramps intersection would exceed the state and federal 8-hour state and federal CO standard in the year 1997; however, due to lower emission factors, the project would not exceed any standards in the year 2015. Specific economic, social, or other considerations make infeasible the mitigation measures or alternatives identified in the EIR. Facts in Support of Findin~ Implementation of the fulinwing mitigation measures will serve to lessen project impacts; however, the impacts would remain significant. The implementation of the No Project/No Development Alternative and the No ProjecUDevelopment as Allowed by IASP Alternative would result in less localized CO emissions compared to the proposed project. The No Project/No Development Alternative would not increase localized CO emissions. The No Project/Development as Allowed by IASP Alternative would result in less localized CO emissions compared to the proposed project; however, the No Project/Development as Allowed by IASP Alternative would still restfit in significant and unavoidable localized CO emissions. Both of these project alternatives were rejected from furlher consideration because they did not meet the objectives of the proposed project. The Alternative Site would result in the same localized CO emission impacts compared to the proposed project. Develop a transportation demand management (TDM) program that complies with the TDM Ordinance adopted by the City. The TDM program shall include an itemization of the TDM measures. In developing the TDM program, the project developer shall give consideration to the following TDM measures. These measures are recommended for future levels of project implementation, but only as determined to be feasible and appropriate at that time. · Provide preferential parking to hjgh-occupancy vehicles. · Configure parking to minimize traffic interference. · Minimize obstruction of though-traffic lanes. · Schedule operations affecting traffic for off-peak hours. · Schedule goods movements for off-peak hours. Implementation of the above measure will serve to substantially, but not completely, mitigate the potential significant air quality impact. The remaining unavoidable adverse impact is considered to be acceptable in light of the Statement of Overriding Considerations provided heroin as Attachment A. The project site currently contains active grape vineyards. The loss of these active grape vineyards was assumed in the existing IASP and the IASP EIR. Due to the importance of agricultural operations in the region, the IASP EIR considered this loss as significant and unavoidable with the development of the project site. Therefore, the impact on agricultural crops from the development of the proposed project is also considered significant and unavoidable. Finding Specific economic, social, or other considerations make infeasible the mitigation measures or alternatives identified in 'the EIR. Fac~s in Support of Findings No feasible mitigation measures are available to mitigate the removal of active grape vineyards from the project site. Except for the No Project Alternative, the alternatives that were analyzed in the EIR could not avoid the significant and unavoidable impact on agricultural land. The No Project Alternative was rejected from further consideration because it did not meet the objectives of the proposed project. Furthermore, the conversion of farmland to urban uses was discussed in the City of Rancho Cucamonga Master Environmental Assessment & General Plan Environmental Impact Report, January 1989. This discussion identified that the area in which the project site is located can most easily support development and will eventually remove large areas of soils that historically supported grape vineyards. However, current market forces such as expanding urban development and the high cost of imported water, have made continued agricultural activities in this area marginally profitable or not profitable. The unavoidable adverse impact on agricultural land is considered to be acceptable in light of the Statement of Overriding Considerations provided herein as Attachment A. WIB/0OISOOI3.FIN IO~"~ ~ ATYAUItNIENT A STATEMENT OF OVERRIDING CONSIDERATIONS The California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) requires the lead agency to balance the benefits of a proposed project against its unavoidable environmental risks in determining whether to approve the project. The City of Rancho Cucamonga proposes to approve the Warehouse-style Retail Merchandising Center project although unavoidable adverse project impacts to air quality and loss of agricultural land and unavoidable adverse impacts due to the project's contribution to cnmniative Waffle have been identified in the EIR. Where these adverse impacts are reduced through the implementation of mitigation measures, but not to a level considered less than significant, the City of Rancho Cucamonga City Council finds that those impacts are outweighed by the benefits of the Warehouse-style Retail Merchandising Center project. Further, the alternatives that were identified in the EIR would not provide the project benefits, as summarized below, to the same extent as the proposed project. Therefore, the City of Rancho Cucamonga City Council, having reviewed and considered the information contained in the EIR and the public record, adopts the following Statement of Overriding Considerations which have been balanced against the unavoidable adverse impacts in reaching a decision on this project. 1. Strengthen the economic base of the City of Rancho Cucamonga. 2. Provide commercial employment opportunities within the City of Rancho Cucamonga. 3. Provide the opportunity for "Big Box" retail commercial uses to be located in visible proximity to the Ontario Mills project, a regional retail center in the City of Ontario. 4. Contribute to a positive jobs/housing balance. wm/ools0ot3.~'n,t A-1 ~t~ent of Overriding Considerations RESOLUTION NO. A RESOLUTION OF THE PLANNING COMMISSION OF THE CITY OF RANCHO CUCAMONGA, CALIFORNIA, RECOMMENDING APPROVAL OF INDUSTRIAL AREA SPECIFIC PLAN AMENDMENT 95~05 REQUESTING TO AMEND THE INDUSTRIAL AREA SPECIFIC PLAN TEXT TO ADD WAREHOUSE-STYLE RETAIL MERCHANDISING AS A USE FOR 73 ACRES OF LAND, LOCATED NORTH OF FOURTH STREET. EAST OF MILLIKEN AVENUE, AND WEST OF THE I-`15 FREEWAY IN SUBAREA AND MAKING FINDINGS IN SUPPORT THEREOF o APN: 229-263-18 THROUGH 21, 229-263-48 THROUGH 53, AND 229-34'1-13. A. Recitals. I. Mission Land and the City of Rancho Cucamonga have filed an application for Industrial Area Specific Plan Amendment No. 95-05, a text change as set forth in the attached Exhibit "A." and described in the title of this Resolution. Hereinafter in this Resolution, the subject Industrial Area Specific Plan Amendment is referred to as "the application." 2. 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 Planning Commission of the City of Rancho Cucamonga as follows: 1. This Commission hereby specifically finds that all of the facts set forth in the Recitals, Part A, of this Resolution are true and correct. 2. Based upon substantial evidenc~ presented to this Commission during the above- referenced public hearing on September 25, 1996, including written and oral staff reports. together with public testimony, this Commission hereby specifically finds as follows: a. The application applies to approximately 73 acres of land, basically a stacked rectangle configuration, located north of Fourth Street, south of the extension of Mission Park on the eastern portion and thence south of the extension of Mission Vista Drive on the western portion, east of Milliken Avenue, and west of the 1-15 Freeway and which is presently vacant. Said property is currently designated as Industrial Park, Subarea 12 of the Industrial Area Specific Plan, and b. The property to the north of the westem portion of the subject site is designated as Industrial Park. Subarea 12 of the Industrial Area Specific Plan, and is developed with office and industrial buildings and vacant, and to the north of the eastern portion of the subject site is designated General Industrial, Subarea 11 of the Industrial Area Specific Plan, and is vacant; the property to the west is designated as Mixed Use, Subarea 18 of the Industrial Area Specific Plan, and is vacant; the property to the east is designated General Industrial, Subarea '14 of the Industrial Area Specific Plan, and includes the 1-15 Freeway and vacant land; and the property to the south is designated Regional Commercial, City of Ontario. and is .developed. c. This amendment does not conflict with the Land Use Policies of the General Plan and will provide for development, within the district, in a manner consistent with the General Plan and with related development; and d. This amendment does promote the goals and objectives of the Land Use Element; and e. This amendment would not be materially injurious or detrimental to the adjacent properties; and P3 9 PLANNING COMMISSION RESOLUTION NO. ISPA 95-05 - MISSION LAND/CITY OF RANCHO CUCAMONGA September 25, 1996 Page 2 f. This amendment could have a significant impact on the environment; therefore, an Environmental Impact Report has been prepared together with a Statement of Findings of Fact in Support of Findings for Significant Environmental Effects of the Project and a Statement of Overriding Considerations to be considered by the City Council of the City of Rancho Cucamonga. 3. Based upon the substantial evidence presented to this Commission during the above- referenced public hearing and upon the specific findings of facts set forth in paragraphs 1 and 2 above, this Commission hereby finds and concludes as follows: a. That the subject property is suitable for the uses permitted in the proposed district in terms of access, size, and compatibility with existing land use in the surrounding area; and b. That the proposed amendment could have significant impacts on the environment; however, an Environmental Impact Report has been prepared together with mitigation measures which will reduce most impacts to a level of less than significant. Certain impacts cannot be mitigated to a level of less than significant; however, the benefits of the project outweigh the slight impacts identified for the project and a Statement of Overriding Considerations has been prepared for consideration by the City Council of the City of Rancho Cucamonga; and c. That the proposed amendment is in conformance with the General Plan. 4. Based upon the findings and conclusions set forth in paragraphs 1, 2, and 3 above, this Commission hereby recommends approval of Industrial Area Specific Plan Amendment No. 95-05, with text changes as set forth in the attached "Exhibit "A." 5. The Secretary to this Commission shall certify to the adoption of this Resolution. APPROVED AND ADOPTED THIS 25TH DAY OF SEPTEMBER 1996. PLANNING COMMISSION OF THE CITY OF RANCHO CUCAMONGA BY: E. David Barker, Chairman ATTEST: Brad Bullet, Secretary I, Brad Buller, Secretary of the Planning Commission of the City of Rancho Cucamonga, do hereby certify that the foregoing Resolution was duly and regularly introduced, passed, and adopted by the Planning Commission of the City of Rancho Cucamonga, at a regular meeting of the Planning Commission held on the 25th day of September 1996, by the following vote-to-wit: AYES: COMMISSIONERS: NOES: COMMISSIONERS: ABSENT: COMMISSIONERS: SUBAREA 12 LAND USE DESIGNATION Industrial Park PRIMARY FUNCTION This area will provide for a high quality character to several entryways to the City. This area will also provide an opportunity for tourist oriented uses such as hotels and motels which relate to the airport activities. The subarea is located east of Milliken, west of Devore Freeway, south of future alignment of 5th Street to 4th Street and extends along Milliken to 6th Street. PERMITTED USES Custom Manufacturing Light Manufacturing Administrative and Office Professional/Design Services Research Services Light Wholesale, Storage and Distribution Building Maintenance Services Business Supply Retail & Services Business Support Services Communication Services Eating and Drinking Establishments Financial, Insurance, and Real Estate Services Hotel/Motel Recreational Facilities Administrative Civic Services Flood Control/Utility Corridor Automotive Rental Medical/Health Care Services Personae Services Restaurants Adult Entertainment {*) * Adult Entertainment Zoning Permit required. CONDITIONAL USES Automotive Sales and Leasing Automotive Service Station Convenience Sales and Services Entertainment Fast Food Sales EXHIBIT "A-I" IV-74 Food and Beverage Sales Cultural Public Assembly Public Safety and Utility Services Religious Assembly Convention Centers Day Care Facilities Schools Restaurant with Bar or Entertainment Warehouse-Style Retail Merchandising (See Special Considerations under this Subarea) EXHIBIT "A-1" IV-75 SPECIAL CONSIDERATIONS To preserve and enhance the image of the community, special consideration shall be given to the quality of site design, architecture, and landscaping of all properties adjacent to the 1- 15 Freeway. Attractive screening of outdoor work, loading, storage areas, roof and ground mounted equipment from significant freeway points of view shall be required. PROPOSED NEW TEXT As an extension of retail sales now permitted as an ancillary use within a warehouse development, retail sales shall be permitted as a primary use for Warehouse-Style Retail Merchandise businesses within a Warehouse-Style Retail Merchandise Center. Said Centers shall be located within approximately 73 acres of land on the north side of Fourth Street between Milliken Avenue and the 1-15 Freeway. A Master Plan approved through the Conditional Use Permit process shall be required for each Warehouse-Style Retail Merchandising Center. In addition to all uses permitted, or conditionally permitted in Subarea 12, retail uses shall be permitted or conditionally permitted, consistent with the General Commercial Uses within the General Commercial District of the Development Code, Section 17.10.030, and which are incorporated into the Industrial Area Specific Plan by reference. In the event of a conflict between whether a use is permitted or conditionally permitted, the Industrial Park requirement applies. However, added retail uses must offer Warehouse-Style Merchandising as defined and incorporated into each Center's Master Plan. Further, a distinctive Warehouse Style-Retail Merchandising design vocabulary shall be developed for Fourth Street between Milliken and the 1-15 Freeway and incorporated into each Center's Master Plan. Compatibility with adjacent existing and intended Industrial Park and General Industrial Development shall be demonstrated through site planning, building design, and landscaping and incorporated into the Master Plan for each Center. EXHIBIT "A-2" IV-77 Industrial Area Specific Plan Part TABLE II1-1 (Continued) COMMERCIAL · Adult Entertainment [ A A A A A A A A A A Agricultural/Nursery Supplies & Services p p p p p p p p Animal Care C C ! C C C C C , C Automotive Fleet Storage C C C C P C C P Automotive Rental p p p p p p p p p Automotive/Light Truck Repair - Minor P ~ P p p p p p p p Automotive/Truck Repair - Major P C P P P P C C C Automitive Sales and Leasing C C C Automotive Service Court P P P P C P P P P Automotive Service Station C C C IC C IC C C C C C C Building Contractors Office &Yards P P P P P P P P Building Contractors Storage Yard p p Building Maintenance Services P P P P P P P P P P I P P ~.~ 5uilding &Light Equipment Supplies &Sales P C P I C C P P C P C C P Business Supply Retail &Services p * p p p p p p p p p p ! p p Business Support Services P' I P C P P C P P P C i p p p p p p Communication Services p ' p p p p p p p p p p ! p p p p p Convenience Sales & Services C" C C P P C C C C C C Entertainment C C C C C Extensive Impact Commercial C I C C C Fast Food Sales C * C I C C C C C C Financial, Insurance &Real Estate Services P P P P P P P ! C P C I C P P t.,,) Food &Beverage Sales C * C C C C C C C C C Funeral & Cremato~' Se~ices C C C C) Heavy Equipment Sales &Rentals C C C C C P C C C C P I.-. Hotel/Motel P P P Indoor Wholesale/Retail Commercial C C C C C C C Laundry Sen~ices P i p p p ~ p p p ; p IJj Medical/Health Care Services P P P P P p p p p p p p Personal Services C * C P P P P P C P: P P Petroleum Products Storage ' C I C C C C C Recreation Facilities C C C C C C C !P C C P PiP Repair Services P I P C P P P P P P P P C Restaurants p p p p p p p p Restaurants with Bar or Entertainment C C C C i C C C C Specialty Building Supplies &Home [mprovement P P C Atarehouse-Style Retail Merchandisin.q ** C NOTES: IP - Industrial Park P - Permitted Use He - Haven Avenue Overlay District C - Conditionally Permitted Use GI - General Industrial m - Non-marked Uses not permitted MI/HI - Minimum Impact Heavy Industrial A - Adult Entertainment Zoning Permit Required HI - Heavy Industrial - Refer to Haven Avenue Overlay District for additional restrictions MU/OS - Mixed Use/Open Space ** - Refer to Subarea 12 Special Considerations for additional restrictions4~ This is an excerpt from the Industrial Area Specific Plan (ISP). Please refer to Table 111-2 of the ISP for a complete description of the land use J definitions. If you need help in deterrninin~ the land use type of a business. please contact the Planning7 Division at (909) 477-2750. D. Commercial Use Types Specialty Buildinq Supplies and Home Improvements: Activities typically include, but are not limited to: retail and wholesale sales and installation of specialty items, such as paint; wall/floor/window coverings; doors and windows; building materials; hardware, plumbing and electrical supplies; bath and kitchen fixtures and supplies; lighting; swimming pools and supplies; and garden furnishings, materials and supplies. Activities shall be conducted in enclosed buildings of 25,000 square feet or less. Uses excluded from this category are general merchandise stores. -- PROPOSED NEFF TEXT Warehouse-Style Retail Merchandisinq Business: Within an approved Warehouse-Style Retail Merchandising Center this category adds to the retail uses already permitted for the Subarea in which the Center is situated, Retail uses shall be added which are consistent with General Commercial Uses within the General Commercial District of the Development Code (Section 17.10,030) and which are incorporated heroin by reference. In the event of a conflict between whether a use is permitted or conditionally permitted, the Subarea requirement applies. Light Wholesale, Storage & Distribution is already a permitted use. The intent is to emphasize and expand retail use in conjunction with warehouse use in Subarea 12 which is transitional between industrial and retail commercial land use areas. EXHIBIT "A-4"