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Honda Center Enhancement Project Draft EIR City of Anaheim Page 2-1 2. Introduction 2.1 PURPOSE OF THE ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT REPORT The California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) requires that all state and local governmental agencies consider the environmental consequences of projects over which they have discretionary authority prior to taking action on those projects. This Environmental Impact Report (EIR) has been prepared to satisfy CEQA, as set forth in the Public Resources Code Section 21000, et seq., and the State CEQA Guidelines, Title 14 California Code of Regulations (CCR), Section 15000, et seq. The EIR is the public document designed to provide decision makers and the public with an analysis of the environmental effects of the Proposed Project, to indicate possible ways to reduce or avoid environmental damage, and to identify alternatives to the project. The EIR must also disclose significant environmental impacts that cannot be avoided; growth inducing impacts; effects not found to be significant; and significant cumulative impacts of all past, present, and reasonably foreseeable future projects. Pursuant to CEQA Section 21067, the lead agency is “the public agency which has the principal responsi- bility for carrying out or approving a project which may have a significant effect upon the environment.” The City of Anaheim has the principal responsibility for approval of the Honda Center Enhancement Project. For this reason, the City of Anaheim is the CEQA lead agency for this project. The intent of the EIR is to provide sufficient information on the potential environmental impacts of the proposed Honda Center Enhancement Project to allow the City of Anaheim to make an informed decision regarding approval of the project. Specific discretionary actions to be reviewed by the City are described in Section 3.4, Intended Uses of the EIR. This EIR has been prepared in accordance with requirements of the: California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) of 1970, as amended (Public Resources Code Section 21000 et seq.) State Guidelines for the Implementation of the CEQA of 1970 (herein referenced as CEQA Guidelines), as amended (14 CCR Sections 15000 et seq.) The overall purpose of this EIR is to inform the lead agency, responsible agencies, decision makers, and the general public of the environmental effects of the development and operation of the Proposed Project. This EIR addresses the potential environmental effects of the project, including effects that may be significant and adverse, evaluates a number of alternatives to the project, and identifies mitigation measures to reduce or avoid adverse effects. ---PAGE BREAK--- 2. Introduction Page 2-2 The Planning CenterIDC&E January 2012 2.2 NOTICE OF PREPARATION AND INITIAL STUDY The City of Anaheim issued a Notice of Preparation (NOP) and Initial Study on September 2, 2011 (See Appendix Comments received during the public review period, which extended from September 2, 2011, to October 4, 2011, are contained in Appendix B. The NOP process is used to help determine the scope of the environmental issues to be addressed in the EIR. Based on this process and the Initial Study for the project, certain environmental categories were identified as having the potential to result in significant impacts. Issues considered Potentially Significant are addressed in this EIR. Issues identified as Less Than Significant or No Impact are not addressed beyond the discussion contained in the Initial Study. Refer to the Initial Study in Appendix A for discussion of how these initial determinations have been made. Table 2-1 NOP Responses Agency or Interested Party Comment EIR Section Where Comment Is Addressed Airport Land Use Commission of Orange County (10/4/11) Proposed project is not located within airport impact zones. Information regarding required Federal Aviation Administration procedures for alteration of structures more than 200 feet above ground level. Not applicable. City of Orange: Department of Community Development (10/4/11) Potential impacts related to traffic, pedestrian safety, parking, and noise. Request that the EIR address these issues including studying traffic above existing conditions, identifying mitigation to prevent “spillover” parking effects in the City of Orange, and including a cumulative scenario (long-term build-out) within the noise analysis. Sections 5.4, Noise, and 5.5, Transportation and Traffic. City of Santa Ana: Planning & Building Agency (10/3/11) No comments at this time. Not applicable. Department of Toxic Substances Control (9/30/11) Potential hazardous materials impacts. The Initial Study determined that the Proposed Project would have a Less Than Significant Impact on hazards and hazardous materials. Various hazardous materials are currently used and stored at Honda Center, and the Proposed Project would be expected to result in a small increase in these materials. However, existing permitting and record-keeping processes would ensure that less than significant hazard to the public or the environment would occur as result of project implementation. Additionally, the Honda Center is not listed as a hazardous materials site. ---PAGE BREAK--- 2. Introduction Honda Center Enhancement Project Draft EIR City of Anaheim Page 2-3 Table 2-1 NOP Responses Agency or Interested Party Comment EIR Section Where Comment Is Addressed Department of Transportation: District 12 (10/3/11) Concerns related to traffic impacts including intersections with SR-57. Request that the Highway Capacity Manual be used to analyze traffic impacts on State Transportation Facilities. Information regarding required Caltrans encroachment permit. Section 5.5, Transportation and Traffic. Native American Heritage Commission (9/9/11) Potential cultural resources impacts. The Initial Study determined that the Proposed Project would have No Impact on cultural resources. The project site does not contain any cultural resources and there are no known prehistoric/historic archaeological sites located within the project area. No grading to an increased depth will be required as part of project implementation and the potential for impacting any subsurface cultural resources is considered remote. Orange County Public Works (10/4/11) Concern regarding content of required Water Quality Management Plan and Area-wide NPDES Permit, including examination of opportunities for “Low-Impact Development”. Request that additional documentation address impacts on land owned by the Orange County Flood Control District, including those inconsistent with the applicable Parking Concession Agreement and those related to the required encroachment permit. Request that the nearby Santa Ana River trail and bikeway are addressed in the EIR. The Initial Study determined that the Proposed Project would have a Less Than Significant Impact on hydrology and water quality. However, the project will be required to comply with the County’s Drainage Area Management Plan (DAMP) which will address concerns related to water hydrology and water quality. Trails and bikeways are discussed in Section 5.3, Land Use and Planning and Section 5.5, Transportation and Traffic. Orange County Transportation Authority (OCTA) (10/4/11) Request that the EIR include a reference to OCTA’s 4th District Bikeways Collaborative. Section 5.5, Transportation and Traffic. Orange County Water District (9/28/11) Request that the EIR analyze traffic impacts of the Proposed Project on Ball Road, Phoenix Club Drive, and the SR-57 freeway. Section 5.5, Transportation and Traffic. South Coast Air Quality Management District (SCAQMD) (9/16/11) Request for copy of the Draft EIR and addition documentation for SCAQMD review. Information related to CEQA procedures for analyzing air quality impacts. Section 5.1, Air Quality. 2.3 DEIR SCOPING MEETING Prior to preparation of this DEIR, a public scoping meeting was held on September 21, 2011, at Anaheim City Hall, City Council Chambers. The scoping meeting was held to determine the concerns of ---PAGE BREAK--- 2. Introduction Page 2-4 The Planning CenterIDC&E January 2012 responsible and trustee agencies, stakeholders, and the community regarding the Proposed Project. No issues were raised during the scoping meeting. 2.4 SCOPE OF THIS EIR Based upon the Initial Study and Environmental Checklist Form, the City of Anaheim staff determined that an EIR should be prepared for the Proposed Project. The scope of the EIR was determined based upon the City’s Initial Study, comments received in response to the NOP, and the scoping meeting conducted by the City of Anaheim on September 21, 2011. Pursuant to Sections 15126.2 and 15126.4 of the State CEQA Guidelines, the EIR should identify any potentially significant adverse impacts and recommend mitigation that would reduce or eliminate these impacts to levels of insignificance. The information contained in Chapter 3, Project Description, establishes the basis for analyzing future project-related environmental impacts. 2.4.1 Impacts Considered Less Than Significant Twelve environmental impact categories are identified here as not being significantly affected by, or affecting the Proposed Project and are therefore not discussed in detail in this EIR. This determination was made by the City of Anaheim in its preparation of the Initial Study. The following topical issues are not addressed in the EIR: Aesthetics Agriculture and Forestry Resources Biological Resources Cultural Resources Geology and Soils Hazards and Hazardous Materials Hydrology and Water Quality Mineral Resources Population and Housing Public Services Recreation 2.4.2 Potentially Significant Adverse Impacts Six environmental factors have been identified as potentially significant impacts if the Proposed Project is implemented: Air Quality Greenhouse Gas Emissions Noise Land Use and Planning Transportation and Traffic Utilities and Service Systems These environmental factors are discussed in detail in Chapter 5, Environmental Analysis, of this EIR. ---PAGE BREAK--- 2. Introduction Honda Center Enhancement Project Draft EIR City of Anaheim Page 2-5 2.4.3 Unavoidable Significant Adverse Impacts This EIR identifies three significant and unavoidable adverse impact areas, as defined by CEQA that would result from implementation of the Proposed Project. Unavoidable adverse impacts may be considered significant on a project-specific basis, cumulatively significant, and/or potentially significant. Potentially significant impacts are those that fall within the responsibility of another agency and implementation of the mitigation measures cannot feasibly be assured by the City of Anaheim. If the City, as the lead agency, determines that unavoidable significant adverse impacts would result from the project, the City must prepare a Statement of Overriding Considerations before it can approve the project. A Statement of Overriding Considerations states that the decision-making body has balanced the benefits of the Proposed Project against its unavoidable significant environmental effects and has determined that the benefits of the project outweigh the adverse effects and, therefore, the adverse effects are considered to be acceptable. The impact areas that were found to be significant and unavoidable are: Air Quality Greenhouse Gas Emissions Traffic and Transportation 2.5 INCORPORATION BY REFERENCE The following documents are incorporated by reference in this EIR, consistent with Section 15150 of the State CEQA Guidelines, and are available for review at the City of Anaheim’s Planning Department. City of Anaheim General Plan, May 2004, as amended: A comprehensive, long-term plan that is a blueprint for the City of Anaheim’s growth and development. It covers issues ranging from the physical development of the jurisdiction, such as general locations, and extent of land uses and supporting infrastructure, to social concerns. It is organized into ten Elements (Land Use, Circulation, Green, Public Services and Facilities, Growth Management, Safety, Noise, Economic Development, Housing, and Community Design Elements) that address a wide range of subjects and provide goals and policies. City of Anaheim General Plan and Zoning Code Update Final EIR No. 330, State Clearinghouse Number [PHONE REDACTED], May 2004, The Planning Center: A document that addressed the environmental effects associated with the implementation of the City of Anaheim General Plan and Zoning Code Update. It provided information pertaining to existing and future environmental settings within the City’s jurisdiction. The Platinum Triangle Master Land Use Plan, August 2004, EDAW, Inc., as amended: A plan that serves as the blueprint for development within the Platinum Triangle. It establishes planning principles, applicable land use policies, allowable development intensities, and design guidelines. The Platinum Triangle Subsequent EIR No. 332, State Clearinghouse No. [PHONE REDACTED], October 2005, The Planning Center: A document that addressed the environmental effects associated with adopting the Platinum Triangle Master Land Use Plan. It provided information pertaining to existing and future environmental settings within the City’s jurisdiction. The Platinum Triangle Subsequent EIR No. 339, State Clearinghouse No. [PHONE REDACTED], October 2010, The Planning Center: A document that addressed the environmental effects associated with ---PAGE BREAK--- 2. Introduction Page 2-6 The Planning CenterIDC&E January 2012 adopting the Platinum Triangle Master Land Use Plan. It provided information pertaining to existing and future environmental settings within the City’s jurisdiction. Anaheim Arena EIR No. 299, State Clearinghouse No. 89070512, December 1989, Phillips Brandt Reddick: A document that addressed the environmental effects associated with approval of the Anaheim Arena as approved in 1990 and completed in 1993. The City of Anaheim General Plan, Final EIR No. 330, The Platinum Triangle Master Land Use Plan, Final SEIR No. 332, Final SEIR No. 339, and Final EIR No. 299 are also available on the City’s website, www.anaheim.net. 2.6 FINAL EIR CERTIFICATION This EIR is being circulated for public review for a period of 45 days. Interested agencies and members of the public are invited to provide written comments on the EIR to the City of Anaheim address shown on the title page of this document. Upon completion of the 45-day review period, the City of Anaheim will review all written comments received and prepare written responses for each comment. A Final EIR (FEIR) will then be prepared incorporating all of the comments received, responses to the comments, and any changes to the EIR that result from the comments received. This FEIR will be presented to the Anaheim City Council for potential certification as the environmental document for the project. All persons who commented on the EIR will be notified of the availability of the FEIR and the date of the public hearing before the City. The EIR is available to the general public for review at the following locations: City of Anaheim, Planning Department 200 South Anaheim Boulevard Anaheim, CA 92805 Anaheim Central Branch Library 500 West Broadway Anaheim, CA 92805 Anaheim Sunkist Branch Public Library 901 South Sunkist Avenue Anaheim, CA 92806 City of Anaheim, Planning Department Website www.anaheim.net/planning (click on the link to Planning and Zoning, followed by the link to Environmental Documents) 2.7 MITIGATION MONITORING Public Resources Code Section 21081.6 requires that agencies adopt a monitoring or reporting program for any project for which it has made findings pursuant to Public Resources Code 21081 or adopted a Negative Declaration pursuant to 21080(c). Such a program is intended to ensure the implementation of all mitigation measures adopted through the preparation of an EIR or Negative Declaration.