EIR Summary - St. Michael's Abbey

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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. 2
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. - - - - - - - 3
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EIR Summary - St. Michael's Abbey

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