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NOTICE OF AVAILABILITY OF DRAFT ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT REPORT NO. 344 AND NOTICE OF PLANNING COMMISSION AND CITY COUNCIL PUBLIC HEARINGS FOR THE HONDA CENTER ENHANCEMENT PROJECT Subject: Notice is hereby given that Draft Environmental Impact Report (DEIR) No. 344 (State Clearinghouse Number [PHONE REDACTED]) for the Honda Center Enhancement Project is available for a 45-day public review period from January 6, 2012 to February 21, 2012; and, Notice is also hereby given that the Anaheim City Planning Commission will hold a Public Hearing at the Anaheim City Council Chamber, 200 South Anaheim Boulevard, Anaheim, on February 13, 2012 at 5:00 p.m.; and, It is anticipated that the City Council will hold a Public Hearing at the Anaheim City Council Chamber, 200 South Anaheim Boulevard, Anaheim, on April 3, 2012 at 5:30 p.m. To consider the following actions related to the Honda Center Enhancement Project: Environmental Impact Report No. 344 and Mitigation Monitoring Program No. 303. Approve Zoning Reclassification No. 2011-00247 (to rezone a portion of the project site from the Transition Zone/Platinum Triangle Mixed Use (PTMU) Overlay Zone to the Public Recreational (PR) Zone/PTMU Overlay Zone). Project Location: Honda Center is located at 2695 East Katella Avenue, in the south-central portion City of Anaheim within the Platinum Triangle. Honda Center and its adjacent surface parking lots are bound on the north by Stanley Cup Way and the Union Pacific Railroad, to the east by the Santa Ana River, to the south by Katella Avenue and to the west by State Route 57 (SR-57) freeway. Honda Center is less than a half mile northeast of Angel Stadium of Anaheim and the existing Anaheim Amtrak/Metrolink Station and the future Anaheim Regional Transportation Intermodal Center (ARTIC). Project Description: The proposed project includes an increase in the number of annual events at Honda Center through the addition of another permanent sports franchise tenant, as well as other permanent improvements described below. The original Environmental Impact Report (EIR) for Honda Center (formerly known as The Arrowhead Pond) prepared in 1990 analyzed up to 162 events per year. Honda Center currently averages up to 153 ---PAGE BREAK--- events per year with average attendance at an event of 11,264 people. The maximum number of events, in any one year, over the last five years was 162 events in 2008. The proposed project seeks to increase the maximum number of events by 60 from the previous high of 162 events for a total of 222 events per year. Currently, there are on average three events per week at Honda Center, and the proposed project would result in four events per week on average. The purpose of the additional events would be to accommodate a second professional sports franchise tenant at Honda Center without reducing the number of events currently held at the Honda Center. The Honda Center has a maximum seating capacity of 18,900, and the proposed project would not result in a change in the maximum seating capacity of current and future events. In addition to an increase in the number of annual events at Honda Center, the proposed project would involve other minor improvements on the south side1 of the existing facility including an approximate 5,846 square foot restaurant to serve event attendees, a 5,846 square foot team store and a 9,114 square feet open area on the Main Level (Level 200); and, a 9,518 square feet restaurant to serve event attendees and a 12,436 square foot outdoor terrace on the Club Level (Level 300). Other interior improvements include locker room, office space, bunker suite and balcony suite renovations; electrical upgrades and an increase in the capacity of the loading dock. None of the proposed improvements would increase the permanent seating capacity of the existing arena; however, the improvements would result in the loss of approximately 15-20 parking spaces. The proposed project includes a zone reclassification for a portion of the project site from the Transition Zone/Platinum Triangle Mixed Use (PTMU) Overlay Zone to the Public Recreational (PR) Zone/PTMU Overlay Zone, which would be consistent with the zoning for the remainder of the project site. Additional implementation measures may include, but are not limited to, building permits to allow the improvements listed above and agreements between the City of Anaheim and the Orange County Flood Control District and between the City of Anaheim and Anaheim Arena Management, LLC. Draft Environmental Impact Report (DEIR) No. 344 analyzes the environmental effects of the proposed project as described above to the degree of specificity required by Section 15146 of the State CEQA Guidelines. Significant effects on the environment anticipated as a result of implementation of this project include air quality, greenhouse gas emissions, and transportation/traffic. The proposed certification of EIR No. 344 includes an adoption of a Statement of Findings of Fact, a Statement of Overriding Considerations and Mitigation Monitoring Program No. 303. Notice of Availability of Recirculated DEIR No. 344: Please be informed that the City of Anaheim has released DEIR No. 344 (State Clearinghouse No. [PHONE REDACTED]) prepared in compliance with the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) and the State and City of Anaheim CEQA Guidelines for a 45-day public review period, starting January 6, 2012. DEIR No. 344 will be available for public review and for purchase at the City of Anaheim Planning Department, 200 S. Anaheim Boulevard, Anaheim, CA 92805 and for viewing on the City’s website: www.anaheim.net/planning (click on the link to Planning & Zoning, followed by the link to Current Environmental Documents). Copies of the DEIR will also be available for review at the following locations: 1 Please note a previous proposal located the proposed improvements on the east side of the existing Honda Center. They have since been relocated to the south side facing Katella Avenue. ---PAGE BREAK--- Anaheim Central Library, 500 W. Broadway, Anaheim, CA Sunkist Branch Library, 901 S. Sunkist Street, Anaheim, CA All interested parties are invited to submit written comments on the DEIR for consideration by the Planning Commission and City Council. Due to the time limits mandated by State law, your comments should be sent at the earliest possible date but must arrive not later than 5:00 p.m. on February 21, 2012. Please submit your written comments to Susan Kim, Senior Planner, at the City of Anaheim Planning Department, 200 South Anaheim Boulevard, Anaheim, California 92805 or by email at [EMAIL REDACTED]. Notice of Public Hearings: Please also be informed that the Anaheim City Planning Commission and City Council will hold public hearings in the Anaheim City Council Chamber in the Civic Center, 200 South Anaheim Boulevard, Anaheim, on the dates and times listed below to hear public testimony, and consider DEIR No. 344 and the Proposed Project Actions. PLANNING COMMISSION PUBLIC HEARING Date: February 13, 2012 Public Hearing: 5:00 p.m. CITY COUNCIL PUBLIC HEARING Date: April 3, 2012 (anticipated) Public Hearing: 5:30 p.m. ANY WRITINGS OR DOCUMENTS PROVIDED TO A MAJORITY OF THE PLANNING COMMISSION REGARDING ANY ITEM ON THE AGENDA FOR THIS MEETING (OTHER THAN WRITINGS LEGALLY EXEMPT FROM PUBLIC DISCLOSURE) WILL BE MADE AVAILABLE FOR PUBLIC INSPECTION IN THE PLANNING DEPARTMENT DURING REGULAR BUSINESS HOURS. ALL INTERESTED PARTIES ARE INVITED TO ATTEND SAID MEETINGS AND BE HEARD. IF YOU CHALLENGE ANY ONE OF THE CITY OF ANAHEIM’S DECISIONS IN COURT, YOU MAY BE LIMITED TO RAISING ONLY THOSE ISSUES YOU OR SOMEONE ELSE RAISED AT THE PUBLIC HEARINGS DESCRIBED IN THIS NOTICE, OR IN WRITTEN CORRESPONDENCE DELIVERED TO THE PLANNING COMMISSON OR CITY COUNCIL AT, OR PRIOR TO, THE PUBLIC HEARINGS. A COPY OF THE PLANNING COMMISSION AGENDA DESCRIBING THE COMMISSION’S DECISION ON THESE PROJECTS WILL ALSO BE AVAILABLE AT THE PLANNING DEPARTMENT AND THE CITY WEBSITE WWW.ANAHEIM.NET/PLANNING (UNDER DOCUMENT DOWNLOADS, SELECT PLANNING COMMISSION AGENDA), AFTER 3;00 P.M. ON THE DAY AFTER THE PLANNING COMMISSION MEETING. Who to Contact? For more information, please call Susan Kim, Senior Planner, at (714) 765-4958 or email at [EMAIL REDACTED]. BY ORDER OF THE CHAIRMAN, ANAHEIM PLANNING COMMISSION AND BY THE ANAHEIM CITY COUNCIL DATE PUBLISHED: Friday, January 6, 2012 DATE MAILED: Thursday, January 5, 2012