EIR Summary - St. Michael's Abbey

St. Michael’s Abbey Environmental Summary
Numerous studies have been required by the County of Orange to help determine and evaluate the potential impacts AND benefits associated with the Norbertine Fathers’ proposed St. Michael’s Abbey, monastery church, monastery
school, and associated facilities. Essential to this process is the County’s Environmental Impact Report (EIR) for the St. Michael’s Abbey. While the County of Orange prepares the EIR and determines the required studies and
technical reports, the project applicant, the Norbertine Fathers, is responsible for the cost of creating the EIR.
This Environmental Summary combines the chief findings of the St. Michael’s Abbey Draft EIR to assist the members of the canyons community in their understanding of the impacts and benefits associated with the proposed land use.
Draft Environmental Impact Report
As dictated by the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA), the St. Michael’s Abbey Draft EIR has to analyze and identify potential impacts the draft land use and intensity would have on the environment and surrounding
community. The Draft EIR looks at impacts as if the proposed project was not built, currently existing and also at a point in the future. This range of analysis identifies varied impacts by comparison to existing conditions, and,
where significant environmental impacts are identified, requires that the significant effects be minimized or otherwise addressed consistent with CEQA. The Draft EIR uses four conclusive statements to address the significance of a
potential impact:
1. NO IMPACT
2. LESS THAN SIGNIFICANT
3. LESS THAN SIGNIFICANT WITH MITIGATION
4. SIGNIFICANT AND UNAVOIDABLE
To help members of the County of Orange Planning Commission and Board of Supervisors make an informed land use discretionary decision, the Draft EIR also studies a range of reasonable alternatives to the St. Michael’s Abbey
project. The alternatives are evaluated for their potential to avoid or reduce significant effects in the areas of potential environmental effect studied by the Draft EIR. Each alternative is then compared to the proposed St. Michael’s
Abbey project and assessed in the following manner:
1. = Alternative’s impacts are similar to Project impacts
2. + or ++ Alternative’s impacts are greater (or substantially greater) than Project impacts
3. - or -- Alternative’s impacts are less (or substantially less) than Project impacts
4. +/- Alternative’s impacts are greater in some areas but less in other areas
The Draft EIR’s analysis of alternatives also identifies which alternative, when compared to the other alternatives, is environmentally superior.
KEY CONCLUSIONS:
1. The good news is, according to the Draft EIR, all proposed project-related impacts either did not require mitigation or can be feasibly reduced to “Less Than Significant” levels with the implementation of
recommended mitigation measures. Short-term impacts to local air quality during the construction and grading phase will remain significant and unavoidable with mitigation.
2. The Environmentally Superior Alternative is the No Project/No Development Alternative; however, this alternative is not feasible as it does meet enough objectives of the project. Among the remaining alternatives,
Alternative 3 (Reduced Development) would result in similar or reduced impacts to all environmental factors and would satisfy all project objectives.
The table on the following pages from the Draft EIR summarizes the impacts of both the St. Michael’s Abbey project and the Draft EIR’s alternatives to the proposed project.
NOTE: Although this document was created by land use consultants employed by St. Michael’s Abbey, its content is derived directly from the County created Draft EIR.
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ENVIRONMENTAL
IMPACT
Based on monastery
church, monastery school,
and associated facilities
AESTHETICS
Assesses scenic views, light
or glare, and visual
character
ST. MICHAEL’S ABBEY
LEVEL OF
SIGNIFICANCE
DETERMINATION
LESS THAN
SIGNIFICANT
St. Michael’s Abbey Environmental Summary
KEY FINDINGS
The project is designed to be compatible with
surrounding land uses, natural open space, and the rural
character of the Silverado Canyon. Major ridgelines
that define the canyon would remain untouched and
large expanses of open space would be retained. The
project would not result in substantial light or glare that
would adversely affect day or nighttime views in the
area.
NO PROJECT /
NO DEVELOPMENT (1A)
vs.
ST. MICHAEL’S ABBEY
Alternatives Comparison
*EXISTING
ENTITLEMENT (1B)
vs.
ST. MICHAEL’S ABBEY
DIVIDED USES ON
DIFFERENT SITES (2)
vs.
ST. MICHAEL’S ABBEY
REDUCED
DEVELOPMENT (3)
vs.
ST. MICHAEL’S ABBEY
- - - - - -
AGRICULTURE AND
FORESTRY
Assesses agriculture and
forestry resources
NO IMPACT
The project would not facilitate the conversion of
farmland or timberland to non-agricultural use. The
continued apiary activities would provide continuity
between the site’s agricultural history and the Abbey’s
apiary lineage.
= = = =
AIR QUALITY
Assesses the atmospheric
setting, pollutants, dust and
related vehicle emissions
during construction and
global climate change
Short-term
construction impacts:
SIGNIFICANT AND
UNAVOIDABLE
Air quality impacts would result from the short-term
construction phase emitted by off-road construction
equipment, on-road trucks, and workers’ vehicles.
Fugitive dust would be generated during earth moving,
grading, and vehicle travel. Impacts will be mitigated
through the use of vehicles that comply with newer
diesel engine standards. When grading or earthmoving
within 200 feet of the Community Center, haul tracks
will be covered, watering trucks will apply water three
times daily, chemical stabilizers will stabilize loose
soils, vehicle speeds on unpaved roads will be limited,
and open storage will be watered.
- - =/-- =/+ -/-
BIOLOGICAL
RESOURCES
Assesses impacts to sensitive
habitat and species
CULTURAL
RESOURCES
Assesses the existence of
historic, archaeological
and/or architectural sites
GEOLOGY AND
SOILS
Assesses topography,
exposure to geological
hazards, soil erosion,
landslides, or seismic ground
shaking
LESS THAN
SIGNIFICANT
WITH MITIGATION
LESS THAN
SIGNIFICANT
WITH MITIGATION
LESS THAN
SIGNIFICANT
WITH MITIGATION
Long-term operational impacts to air quality would be
less than significant.
There would be no direct or indirect impacts to
breeding habitat for the arroyo toad and potential
impacts to foraging habitat would be minimal.
Southern cactus scrub would be restored at a ratio of
3:1 and coastal sage scrub would be restored at a ratio
of 2:1, resulting in a net increase of each on the site.
The 230 trees that would be impacted by the project
would be replaced with 603 new trees.
- - - - - - - -
The potential for undiscovered archaeological and
paleontological resources exists. Implementation of the
project would recover these resources should they be - - - = =
present on the project site.
Site preparation and building design specifications
would ensure that identified soil engineering
constraints are eliminated or reduced to the maximum - - - = -
extend feasible under current engineering practices.
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St. Michael’s Abbey Environmental Summary
Alternatives Comparison
ENVIRONMENTAL
IMPACT
Based on monastery
church, monastery school,
and associated facilities
ST. MICHAEL’S ABBEY
LEVEL OF
SIGNIFICANCE
DETERMINATION
KEY FINDINGS
NO PROJECT /
NO DEVELOPMENT (1A)
vs.
ST. MICHAEL’S ABBEY
*EXISTING
ENTITLEMENT (1B)
vs.
ST. MICHAEL’S ABBEY
DIVIDED USES ON
DIFFERENT SITES (2)
vs.
ST. MICHAEL’S ABBEY
REDUCED
DEVELOPMENT (3)
vs.
ST. MICHAEL’S ABBEY
GREENHOUSE GAS
EMISSIONS
Assess the atmospheric
setting and global climate
change
LESS THAN
SIGNIFICANT
The project’s greenhouse gas emissions would not be
great enough to affect global climate change. The
housing of students, fathers, and nuns on-site is
consistent with the goal of SB375 to locate residents
closer to where they work and play.
- - - - + -
HAZARDS AND
HAZARDOUS
MATERIALS
Assesses the existence of
existing environmental safety
hazards and hazards that
may be introduced by the
project
HYDROLOGY AND
WATER QUALITY
Assesses regional hydrology,
flooding, and water quality
LESS THAN
SIGNIFICANT
WITH MITIGATION
LESS THAN
SIGNIFICANT
WITH MITIGATION
Structures that may contain asbestos containing
materials and lead based paints would be removed and
transported off-site thereby eliminating this
environmental condition.
The Abbey will prepare a protocol for the evacuation
of the property in anticipation of emergency
circumstances as well as use of the project site as a
possible staging area for emergency response.
- - - - - - =
Required by the County, the project would provide onsite
BMPs and storm drainage systems and/or upgrades
to prevent the creation of flood hazards from the - - - - - -
project site to downstream areas.
The project would be developed under and would be
consistent with the Orange County General Plan and
zoning code.
LAND USE
Assesses local land use
objectives and project land
use objectives
LESS THAN
SIGNIFICANT
Although a determination of consistency is not
applicable to non-binding policies such as the
Silverado-Modjeska Specific Plan (it is considered a
general guidance document), it was found this plan
does identify the Holtz Ranch property as a possible
“Planned Community Opportunity.” However, the
project would not be taking advantage of the higher
density or flexibility associated with developing a
Planned Community.
- - = - =
MINERAL RESOURCES
Assesses impacts to existing
mineral resources
NO IMPACT
The project site is not known to be a source of mineral
resources of any economic importance or any
otherwise classified mineral deposits.
= = = =
NOISE
Assesses noise and
vibrations from construction
and noise from operation of
the project
LESS THAN
SIGNIFICANT
WITH MITIGATION
Neither church bells nor the approximately 15 sporting
events held at the Abbey each year would substantially
increase ambient noise levels. The Abbey would limit
the operation of agricultural and landscape
maintenance equipment within 500 feet of the
Silverado Community Center between the hours of
7:00am and 8:00pm.
- - - - - - -
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St. Michael’s Abbey Environmental Summary
ENVIRONMENTAL
IMPACT
Based on monastery
church, monastery school,
and associated facilities
POPULATION AND
HOUSING
Assesses the inducement of
population growth
PUBLIC SERVICES
Assesses potential impacts to
potable water, storm water,
sewer, electricity, and
telephone/cable
RECREATION
Assesses the availability of
and anticipated demand for
recreational facilities
TRANSPORTATION
AND TRAFFIC
Assesses increased vehicular
traffic when compared to
existing traffic flows,
increased pedestrian, cycling
and equestrian traffic and
parking
UTILITIES
Assesses the origination
of the project’s water
supply, examines
stormwater, sewer,
electricity and
telephone/cable services
ST. MICHAEL’S ABBEY
LEVEL OF
SIGNIFICANCE
DETERMINATION
LESS THAN
SIGNIFICANT
LESS THAN
SIGNIFICANT
WITH MITIGATION
LESS THAN
SIGNIFICANT
LESS THAN
SIGNIFICANT
WITH MITIGATION
LESS THAN
SIGNIFICANT
KEY FINDINGS
With the unincorporated population of the County
projected to increase by 68,095 persons between 2010
and 2035, the 97 permanent residents of the project
would represent approximately 0.14% of the total
anticipated growth of the County. (Although the
current on-site population of the Fathers would likely
be transferred to the Project site, the EIR does not
account for the cessation of activities at the existing
Abbey site)
NO PROJECT /
NO DEVELOPMENT (1A)
vs.
ST. MICHAEL’S ABBEY
Alternatives Comparison
*EXISTING
ENTITLEMENT (1B)
vs.
ST. MICHAEL’S ABBEY
DIVIDED USES ON
DIFFERENT SITES (2)
vs.
ST. MICHAEL’S ABBEY
REDUCED
DEVELOPMENT (3)
vs.
ST. MICHAEL’S ABBEY
- - = = =
An on-site septic system would be provided to serve
the project. The project will meet county requirements
that mandate on-site retention of storm water runoff - - +/- - -
over existing conditions.
All demands for local park recreational facilities would
be fully satisfied by the Project’s proposed on-site
amenities.
The Project Applicant will offer an open space and trail
easement for future open space and/or trail
implementation to the County or another entity
approved by the County. This 16 ft. wide easement
would be located along the south side of Silverado
Canyon Road and total approximately 0.39-acre of onsite
easement dedication and 0.71 acre of off-site
easement dedication.
The project would add 2-13 additional vehicles to
Santiago Canyon Road during peak hours. Vehicle
trips to and from the site on Sundays are expected to be
higher than weekday volumes yet would occur during
non-peak hours. A traffic signal would be
implemented to reduce impacts at Santiago Canyon
Road/Live Oak Canyon Road intersection.
- - + +
=
Removes south side of
Silverado Canyon Road from
project area (and with it, the 16
ft. easement)
- - + ++/- =
An on-site septic system would be provided to serve
the project. The County requires all new development
projects to retain storm water runoff on-site above - - - - - - -
existing conditions.
The St. Michael’s Abbey Draft EIR will be available for public review and comment for a period of 45 days beginning on June 4, 2012.
*Applies to just one of the two parcels within the proposed project
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