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