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SR-401-001-03 (3)Initial Study/Negative Declaration lNITIAL STUDY/NEGATIVE DECLARATION CITY OF SANTA MONICA DRAFT HOUSING ELEMENT 2 000-2 005 September 28, 2001 Lead Agency: City of Santa Monica Planning and Community Development Department 1685 Main Street Santa Monica, California 90407 Consultant to the City: Cotton/BridgeslAssociates Urban and Environmental Planning 747 East Green Street, Suite 300 Pasadena, CA 91101-2119 - „~s.o, TABLE OF CONTENTS Section Page 1.0 Project Description . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1 Z.U Approach to tne Anaiysis . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . i 3 ~ fl FnvirnnmPntal ('hP~klict anrl F.xnlanatinn nf ('.hecklict Recn~nces _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ . _ _ 19 ...., ~„' • .'..'~"_"'..' ....---^---.,' ~-- - -r----------- -- ----------- ----r ----- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - F Ciry of Santa Monica i Initial Study ~nnn ~nnc ci_.._:__ n~_-__. c__._~t,._ ~nni GVVV-GVVJ nVUJllI~' DICIRCIII ocy~cu~~ci, t.vvi 1 .0 PROJECT DESCRIPTIQN 1.1 The Project The Citv of Santa Monica nronoses to adont a Housin~ Element nursuant to California ~/ a w a Government Code.' The Housing Element represents a component of the City's General 7]1.. ~.1.. ...~1.. «441.n4.ae.~f.~ua4~un~mrr~iie~~4-a~~c+~nr~rt_4urn~n~~~n~ r~nirn~nr~rr~nr~t r ~Qll~ a yiaiuiii-~ uv~i:uii~.u~ uia~ iua.ai~iuw ~llV VV111111Y111~~' J 1V11~-~Vl lll ~V41J 1V1 LLV Y VIVrl111VL11. The Housing Element sets forth the City's five-year strategy to preserve and enhance the community's residentiai character, expana housing opportunity tor aii economic. segments, and provide guidance and direction for City policy makers. The Draft 2000-2005 Housing Element provides an implementation strategy for effectively addressing these housing needs. In preparing the Draft 2000-2005 Housing Element, the City has continued the goals, , , r .~. .~-- -~---~_~ ~nnn nnn~ rT----[_-n~_ r~_ _r.t- poiicies, ana programs set iorui in tne aaopteu i y7a-~vv~ nousmg r,iemeni. necause oi me success of the goals, policies and programs contained therein, the Draft 2000-2005 Housing Element in lazge measure simply extends this direction for a~ additional two years. Where nroQram modifications have occurred, such modifications have been made largely to report progress to date. Some of the major goals and policies of the Draft 2000-2005 Housing Tilumor~* ~ra ~e fn~~n~vc• LLVlllVll~ G~lV 4J 1V11V~~J. ~ Yreservation ot affordable nousing at nsK due to the l;osta-riawkins Act= Maintenance and improvement of existing housing Development of housing for all economic segments of the population 1.2 Project Location The Draft 2000-2005 Housing Element of the City's General Plan applies to all properties within the cmm~rate (:itv limits. Santa Mnnica cnvers annrnximatelv R.3 cauare milec alnna .. ------- ---- ---r----- --v --------. -_---- - ------- -- ~ --- -rr-----------v --- -~--- - ------- -----a the Santa Monica Bay in Los Angeles County. The City is located 10 miles west of downtown Los Angeles and is bounded by the city of Los Angeles on all three sides. Major physiographic features located within or near the City include the Santa Monica Mountains and Pacific Palisades to the north and northwest, the Baldwin Hills four miles to the east, and the Pacific Ocean to the west. Adiacent communities within Los Angeles include Pacific Palisades, Brentwood, West Los Angeles, Venice and Mar Vista. Figure 1 identifies the City's boundaries and its location within the larger Los Angeles region. Govemment Code §65302(c) ` T'he Costa-Hawkins Rental Housing Act of 1995 gradually eliminated any limits on rent increases that may be charged when a tenant voluntarily vacates an apartrnent or is evicted forjust cause. As of January l, 1999, landlords can charge any ront level; hnwever. afier a unit ic re-rented_ the Citv's Rent C:nntml law remdatec fufiire rent increases until the unit is varated City of Santa Monica I [nitial Study ~nnn ~nnc v,.....:_~ vt,._.....« c.....,.._~,._ ~nn~ ~vvv-cw~ iivua~us L',~c~uc~u oc~icuwci, twt 4 ~--~' / ' ~r-~~ ' i i f ~\ !R1 r_ ~\ } ~~ .~~' h ~~ ...~ ' ~ ~ ~ ~ -~, ; ~ ~~~ ,~,~~~~ ~f - ~ ~ - - ~ - .^ I Vt-~s ~~ w ~ %: ~~~~ t~ ~~ ~~~ ~~- ~ ~ ~ -, ~~~ ~ ~ ~ ~- , , ~ ~ , . ; ,~~ X ~.: 1 ~ ~ , ; ,~ ~ , ~r~ ,~ ; ~~:~ •~ ~~~`~~~ ,~,, ~~ ~~ ~ \, ~ ; , _ _ i ~. ~ ~, ~~~~~~~ _ .~~,~~;~~ ~:~..~~-~~:..~~~. ~~:~a~ ~ ~~t ~ ~. / /~ IJ; 1 ~ s'\ ~ ~ ~ ~\. V~~~`~'`iC~ ~`. ~.~~~~'~ ~~~._~~~~ "~ ~ ~~ " .. ~ X ~, ~~ `\ ~. 'y^.~~`~.~ ~ \~`~' `~,~~%k~ ~ ~~~\ /\ y~~ / )< ~ , ~~`~ f ~ ~ ~~ , ~,/., ~ .~ Pocific Ocean ~\~c.~~~~y ~ ~~~ ~ S Moniea ~ ~ ' unid ~~ ~ ~y /~ /~ wt_~/1 ~~ / ` ; , /rur~yr : ~ /~ / r !~ / ~ I ~ i / ='~ ~~ ~~~~~ ~~ ~ ~~:~ TM' y v/~' ' \'~ ~ ~ ~ • ~ ~~~ ~'~~~ . ~- ~ ~ ~ ~ ~`' v _ ~ ~~.~~, ~: ~/ri~~~~~'~,~' , , ~~~~~ Source: 1990 Census 8ureau ~ • ~ City Boundary T C :... ~ . .... l ~ _-1 ~ ~yv~ ~ ~ Nortn p 1/2 1 mile Location Map City of Santa Monica 2 [nitial Study cP.,~a.,,tiA. ~nn i LVVV-LVVJ L1UIlJ'1[l~ CICIilClll ""Y•"•`•""•,'-""' t California Housing Element law requires that local jurisdictions update their housing elements every five years.' By law, the City's Housing Element must analyze existing and projected housing needs in the community and set forth goals, policies, and programs for addressing those needs to the extent feasible and appropriate. Specifically, State Housing Element law requires the following: The housing element shall consist of an identification and analysis of existing and projected housing needs and a statement of goals, policies, and quantified objectives and scheduled programs for the preservation, improvement, and development of housing. The housing element shall identiJy adequate sites which will be made available through appropriate znning and development standards and with services and facilities, to facilitate and encourage development oja variety of types of housing for all income levels, including rental housing, factory-built housing, mobile hornes, housing for agricultural ernployees, emergency shelters and transitional housing in order to meet the community's housing goals relative to the existing and projected needs of all economic segments of the community.` Jurisdictions are required to prepare housing elements that address their share of the region's housing need for all economic segments of their population as well as address other community goals related to the improvement, preservation, and conservation of housing. These programs are described in Chapter 6 of the City's Draft 2000-2005 Housing Element. Housing Elements must be submitted for review by the Department of Housing and Community Development (HCD), which reviews the Draft for compliance with State law. Santa Monica last submitted its Housing Element in 1998. The 1998-2003 Housing Element was certified by the Department of Housing and Community (HCD) in late 1998.5 The Draft 2000-2005 Housing Element continues the goals, policies, and programs contained within the 1998-2003 Housing Element, extending many of the policies and programs an additional two years and modifying these programs to reflect progress to date. 1.4 Project Characteristics The City of Santa Monica has continuously implemented a variety of goals, policies and programs to encourage the development and conservation of affordable housing in the City. Govemment Code §65588 Govemment Code §65583 S Letter from Cathy E. Creswell, HCD Acting Deputy Director, ro Santa Monica City Manager lohn Jalili, December 9, 1998. City of Santa Monica 3 Initial Study 2000-2005 Housing Element September, Z001 ..... .. .> ., b .... .. .... .. ..._. ,~ .......... .....,.. .~...~.... the 1998-2003 Housing Element, are as follows: Goal 1.0: Promote the construction of new housing within the City's regulatory framework. Goa12.0: Increase the supply of housing affordable to very low, low and moderate income persons. Goa13.0: Protect the existing supply of affordable housing. Goa14.0: Promote the rehabilitation and continued maintenance of existing housing. Goal 5.4: Provide housing assistance and supportive services to those very low, low and moderate income households and households with special needs. Goa16.0: Eliminate discrimination in the rental or sale of housing on the basis of race, religion, national origin, sex, sexual preference, age, disability, family status, AIDS, or other such characteristics. Goa17.0: Promote quality housing and neighborhoods. Goal 8.0: Promote participation of citizens, community groups, and governmental agencies in housing and community development activities. 1.5 Project Changes The 1998-2003 Housing Element proposed a significant number of new and modified programs. The environmental impacts of these programs were analyzed in an EIR dated February, 1998.6 Since many of these programs are less than two years old and/or are highly successful, the City has continued these programs for the 2000-2005 planning period, albeit with minor refinements. Modified programs are denoted in Table 1 with shading, with deleted words shown in strike-out text and new words denoted in italics. Table 1 shows that most programs in the Draft 2000-2005 Housing Element represent continuing programs and thus will not result in any new impacts. As for the few remaining new or modified programs in the Draft 2000-2005 Housing Element, this Initial Study examines these programs to determine whether they may have a significant environmenta( impact. 6 Final Environmental Impact Report for the Updated 1998-2003 Housing Element. SCH No. 97081035. City of Santa Monica 4 Initial Study 2000-2005 Housing Element September, 2001 1 AtSL~ 1 2000-2005 HOUSING ELEMENT PROGRAMS Program Descriprion/ Scope uf Type of Change Action Item Impact Program Ia A~~'~: ~':~ ~e~ ~.~_., f ~ p4~r ~~[~ . ~ ' h ~ ~ ~~ ~~t ` Q~'~T i ~ ~ . . a~ • . , _ ,. , , ~~~ L47W ~111 . _ . ~il~i' . ,'F,'~~'3 _ . . . . .~ . «._ ~ , . . ~ - ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ . . ~ ` ~ ~ ~'~~~~ ~ ~' :~.._ jj ~~i. ~ . . ~ . . . ,.,.~_ ' ' Yi < , •. .. .._~ ....., t Y~+it `, +~'~. ~'~ . . ' ~ :3`.e..~ . ~ '-` ~i:~ ~ .-:tM I I ~~ ~ ~~ ~.. . }-:. . .M.. ~+'-., lb S ' _ ~ -~ < ~= ~.' Appruv . : °£w `' ~ ~ ~,~ _ ;: ~ t;~ . ~ , ': ,., ~.,• , .~. ~. ~ . ~ s~. ~ Y .,K~; . ' ~ ....'. ~ .. .f.. ' ~k • ~.~ . .ri...... ,'. ... ~ ,./~. . ... ~ '~ '~ yj~:y ~. ' kr: - ~~ . . . . . . . ~ . ~ . . .... . . ~ . ' 1 r ~ . i~. 'r` ' . . . . i . .:~ W. s . ' I ~' .ry..' { ~' ' ~!~ ,~.~,. ~ " lc Maintain Citywide Existing Architectural Review Guidelines and Development Compatibility ld Consider Rezoning Citywide Existing Non-Residential Areas for Residential Use 2a Maintai~ Affor.d" te ' Citywide IGtodified ~:~~n~ H~~Y~~`i.~RmS~~~ - , r ; ..? -.?m + 5~~~::,__~~ v:. Program' ` ~ `a~f - ~,: ;~. ca~`~`anr~i~ ~ :~aR"~s~ieR. 2b Maintain a Density Citywide Existing Bonus~Program 2c Provide Assistance to Citywide Existing Non-Protits for Housing Development k City of Santa Monica 5 Initial Study 2000-2005 Housing Element 5eptember, 2001 1 A13L1. 1 2000-2005 HOUSING ELEMENT PROGRAMS Program Description/ Scope of Type of Change Action Item Impact Program 2d Provide Funding to Citywide Exisring Assist in Housing Production 2e Assess Alternative Citywide Exisring Affordable Housing Finance Programs 2f Assess Use of City or Specific Existing Publicly-Owaed Sites Land for Affordable Housing 2g Foster Housing Citywide Existing Development Through the Use of Development Agreements 2h Facll~tate ihe- eity~ide Madified ReEv~sec~.achp~.ta: ', : ~' Devetopment of ~ , ~, ,~ ~''~~ ~: ~ a Housing?fair Fsm~7ies c4~°es=~~ ` ~ ~ with Children tecarifi"gii~C~'' `~&~ to in , ~iiitd°~~e :: ~ ~ttklable saz~e cif .,, ; <_. -r_ ~"~~:y.,.~ 2i Facilitate the Citywide Modified I~vsse~ ac~t~~ ~..~ Development and , - ' o~ Co~ ~b<` Maintenance of fiui~~ `~" r ~ ~:~_ • l d ` ' - _ Specia Nee s Housing ~~or _- or- ho ,f n , a -s ~ ~~~~ ~ ~ SRt7= :~i . . 2j Facilitate the Citywide Existing Pravision of Emergency, Transitional, snd Permanent Housing for the Homeless 2k Maintain Proposition Citywide Modified Added action statement: I Program Monitor uEilizatiom of Proposition I auth~n7~ ~-a~~ua~ neportirig of new lo-+~ren~ huus~ng~lt'd,~e~ts: City of Santa Monica 6 [nitial Study 2000-2005 Housing Element September, 2001 2000-2005 HOUSING ELEMENT PROGRAMS Program Description/ Scope of Type of Change Action Item Impact Program ° a~~ ~ ~ 3$_ ~ ~ - -- , +;, i ; ~.«i,~ ~ _-,. ~ .., : ! a~ ~I F ~ w J ~ u g :.~ „~~ • _ , ~ t ~~ • ~ ~ -y'tµ' . ~ • ~~ b. ~~y~w YR ~ j : , f :.'r .- ~'~ ~ .~,1•,~.. , ~{ ~ ~ i .{y j . . ~ ~ ~ ~x ~. ~ ~.. • ~,, ye .t%. j~ ..~. _ _ . ~ _. . ~,~ a tY '~ ~yS =: , . ~ ~F ;.. _ 3t~ PrQte~~o~^ . ~ • ~ ~ ;. ~ ~ ~. ~f ri~~ ~ H~~fr ~~~~ . : ~ ' I ~ N~fi 77 I ~ 1 ~Y~'. :~ ~'p ~ _ . ... . ' ~ . _... ' - ~ . ~yn,~~~: ~~ ~ c.. , ' ~ ~ 'a t""_ q 'a4S - ' ~ _ _~ . . ~ . .. ,. , , . .. ,. . a ''v : --` 9.~yY+-~ir,~'d .~k` '. . . . ~F,~,t>.=:.: . . . . . ~ i,- s.n.:.<,.< ' u.~s~+lr' . _ u 3c Maintain a Tenant Citywide Existing Eviction Protection Program 3d Facilitate the Specific Exisring Preservation of At- Projects Risk Housing 4a Assess Establishing a Citywide Existing Multi-Family Neighborhood Improvement Program 4b Maintain a Low Cit~+wide Modified aotton . ~ _ Income Resideatisl _ ,~ a~~: st~~`aside for ;' .; Repair Progxaaii > r ,r~-'~~to~ g,~~ to• lowe~'~'ncome sere~a`~`~e'~a~.. • -r 4c Maintain a Housing Citywide Existing Code Enforcement Program 4d Msiatain an • Citywide Exisring Earthquake Retro6tting Program 4e Maiatain a Lead- Citywide Modified Revised action statemen~ & Based Paint Asbestos Hazard Continue to : impreinenr -an educational Rednction Program ~m~am and•go~ o~~r assistanee to ~ 'ovaY" oflead addras~~fie. aliates~e~tai~ , `~ias~`~L _ City of Santa Monica 7 [nitial Study 2000-2005 Housing Element September, 2001 2000-2005 HOUSING ELEMENT PROGRAMS Program Descriprioni Scope of iype oi c::nange Action Item I Impact ~ I Program » ~,a i. y -' 1E ~ ~ i ^ ~}al : ~a ~~ ~"~' Y.~ ~ ~ I ~ 6 I y Ii.' ~ f ~ r . `* . R _ .. .. _, - , ~y~ g - J:'~' ~ ~ ' .. _ - .R4.(fY: L ~ . ~~WYi ~ ~ V ~ • ` ~-' ~ , , _ .~ ~ , :' N$~:' _ J - ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ _ ' _ _ _ _ S:: -' . . L ~~6 'aw..P.ibi'R.'r".. Ch Moin*uin o ritanLiljP 1'+YtCfii10 .,.., .... .~ •.'.._ ...•--°----a COi11111III11~' I I I ilayPinnmpnt f:rgnt r------ Program °'~ """r' _ a~ .~ ~ ,' . SC +F~Y/W1. ~~ y ........~....~,,.. ~ ~ }: K fi x. R ~ .~u . , _ ~ I Ilill 'M_~ ~~ ~ .x.~~7." _ I /:~{+.Fc..i~" L'~~YW-~V ~p. . . _ ~ ~ L ~.A- ~ . . ~~ FF[` ~ ,I t:_ ~' ~•~~~ •:~~ ~~~ ~ ~ . .'. . . k ~ F R . .. ...~~,.~ ~_ ~ . . ~ `.'Vi~~.~ .. .~ :.._. Sd Provide Tenaat Citywide Existing Relocation Assistance I I I Cu Moin*9in a l"!itvasi~t~ Mru~i~fiPl~ ~~ Rt!Zti4w(~'31[!ti1~if athtPtf]P_1ff"•-: . . r+...w~ w Tem or ~~ P - ~'3'- ..J . ~ ~ ~ ,~"€' ;Y~-~ x k .~ ~~ ~ : ~~ ~- . , - ~~ ~ ~ ` I RalnrAfinn=~Prnar~m . ~ I s ~' .~. ~ ~ a : "b~ . _ .rJ.~?'_'°',~'~ ~. ~ '~.~'S., 7.r^". >"~- . x -.: . tA ~. . ; ~ ~ ~ .`. - ~ 4 ~ ^ X ~ . . . i .: ry - ~:: ~~~^ ~ .. . . ~~' :"~ _ ,• . . ~: r. -•' _. ~s..-. . :~...v :«. .._ ~.r..._ ... 5f Develop 3trateg~ to .. . Citywtd~ ~; Modi~"ed 'a ~ ~ i~,,~ ~ . ~~~-_- ~,.ti~__~ ~_ ALLUlC33 1 LLi"Ci4_`_f W ~ . . ..:~ .~r ~{ ~ i , ~ . .,,~ ~~ ~ ~ HUD'~:~on.~. . ~s~ . = : £ , _. .~ ~ .. , RentSubs~dy . . _ . . . : . ° . ' :~..._ j , Pro~r~m - . ~;.cG~i~e~~~' ~~~'o ~Jp • ~Ar .~%1f~~Jl Af! l 76'~ Vi L~'~~' b R~1~ 1 N~0~ I ~ ~~ ~ ~ ~ ` ~~.~fQ~•~~~wr.w~' . . . . 6a Maintain Fair Citywide Exisring Housing Programs 6b Provide Citywide Existing Tenant/Landlord Mediation and Legal I ( I Services l:iry of ~anta ivionica a iniiiai Siudy 2000-2005 Housing Element September, 2001 2000-2005 HOUSING ELEMENT PROGRAMS Program Description/ Scope of Type of Change Action Item Impact Program 6c Develop Public Citywide Existing Education Program on Reverse Mortgages 6d Maintain a Housing Citywide Modified Program implemented as part of 4b. Repair Program for Low-Income Senior Homeowners _ ~._:_: '7a: Fru~ea[ Y~~ < x ~1~ $ ~' - ~ ~ ~ - .. ~:'~.`~~ ° } ~~~ .~ ~~~~' - _ ; r , ~=~ ~ r " ° i ~~~` ~. ~ g. -~ . ~ .,.~_-~, . . .~ ~ ~ ~ ~ :z .,,. ~ ~ :;,,. s.. ,. .,~. K i '~, ` . . . . . q ~~ er ~ '~ ; I g ~ • - . ~:~.r-..`. ~ ( d..aw-..-4.li 1'~j~ J " ~. j~~ .. _ / 4/ ~. ~~e~~ ~~l:~! ~ „f P' ~~ ~ ?q ~~ ~ ~.. ~ . ~ ' ~""` ~" ~ ~ r~~-'7_ ~ t .:~'.. Fr ~~i~ ~ ` t~ ~ _ ~ . ,. 7c Maintain Energy and Citywide Existing Water Conservation Programs 7d Facititate Sustainabl~ Citywide M'odified A~ded abtion'-sta~ien~ Housiug . Z?°ev~l`op sristai~ia~ife ci,~`"rndable hausing Development = mortel' ~,,. ~ ' _ , ,_.~ ~ ~ ~ ~ •,~~~~ _ ~ ~~ .~f ~ =:~~ ` ~d ~ -- ~ , ~. ' ~ _ _ -. .-. ~~; ~.,~,~, ~> ~ ~ ; .~ a~ . ;~' . R~v~se~`d actfioa.~~~c 1`ritegrate tlie: ~ a~noin-strafioa o~~ tlie ~5n~ab,~c ~~~`een :Bin~dlag:~irt Guid"eliA~s.itttb:tlie. existing 'developmeut approval"process: 7e Maintain an Of6ce Citywide Existing Development Mitigation Program ~ City of Santa Monica 9 Initial Study 2000-2005 Housing Element September, 2001 2000-2005 HOUSING ELEMENT PROGRAMS rrogram i~escripiioni ~cope oi iype oi I i,uange Action Item ~ Impact I Program I ~ 7f Monitor Rate of I Citywide I Exisring I Redevelopment Activity in Multi- I I I family Residential Districts I I I QO Mainf9in 9 ~1}17P~f r7tV{7/1l~P ..) .. ..... 'r'Y1CtiT0 ..........'.D Notificatioo Program Sb Conduct Housing C:itywide ~xisting I Element Review I I Source: City of Santa Monica, Dr3ft Housing Element, July 2001. 1.6 Regional Housing Needs Determination California law requires that each city and county, when preparing its State-mandated Housing Element, develop local housing programs designed to address its "fair share" of existing and future housing needs for all income groups, as determined by their Council of Governments.' This "fair share" allocation concept seeks to ensure that each jurisdiction, tn the extent feasihle an~) annrnnriate_ nrnvic~ec hrn~cinu fnr itc recic~ents anc~ thnse -- ---- -------- -------- ---- -rr--r-----~ r--~---- ---------a --- --- ---------- ---- ------ households who might reasonably be expected to reside within the city, particularly lower- '~__~_ L_"__L_1,_ "'___ ~L___ L_"_"~_ __'_'1_L1_ _~~ _~___~~_~_ ~_ ~L_I~ ~__~_ R li1GU[I1G IlULLJG11V1UJ~ WGIG li1GrC 11UU~1i1~ QVd11dU1G ~tllU a~~[V~7[li1lG lU 111G1i uccus.- The Housing Element process is initiated with preparation of the Statewide housing need determination by HCD. HCD apportions the statewide housing need to each Council of Governments [Southern California Association of Governments (SCAG) for this region] which ic then recr~nncihlP fnr allncatina the hnncina neer~ Amnna ite inricr~intinnc 9(~nce thP .. ------ --- ------ ---r---------- --- ---~------a ---- ----~---a ----_ _.-----o --~~---~-----.,._... ~_--- ...., regional determination has been made and finalized by SCAG and HCD, jurisdictions are -~ ~----~- -i~ . i r_ _•~•._. .~ i- -~- -r ~. requtrea io aeveiop poiic~es ana programs io iaciiiiaie u~e aeveiopmeni or nousing commensurate with their assigned share of the region's housing needs to the extent possible and appropriate. Govemment Code §§65580, 65581(a) and 65584 See generally, Government Code §65584 ' Govemment Code §65584(a) r:...,.vc.,..r~ ~,r,,.,:,.., in r..:.:.,~ c.,,a., ~.,~ .,. ~a,..~ ....,~~~.,a ~~ ~,,,~~a, ~~u.,. 2000-2005 Housing Element September, 2001 . . - , ~ . _ -o ~ . for the 1998-2005 period. As authorized by State law, the City appealed its allocation. The City's appeal was granted in part and the City's RHNA was reduced to 2208 housing units.'° The Housing Element uses this HCD-approved RHNA. Table 2 sets forth the City's final RHNA. ~ ~ 10 Chapter 4 and Appendix E of the Draft Element provides a detailed explanation of the appeal process. In the 1998-2003 Housing Element, the Ciry established a RHNA of 3219 and a quantified objective of 1542. 'I'he certified EIR for that Element analyzed both levels of housing production. The RHNA for the Draft 2000-2005 Housing Etement falls below both production levels analyzed in the prior EIR. City of Santa Monica I 1 Initial Study 2000-2005 Housing Element ' September, 2401 1 P1DLL' L REGIONAL HOUSING NEEDS ALLOCATION CITY OF SANTA MONICA, 1998-2005 1998-2005 Ea~sting and Household Future Vacancy Replacement Construction Need Growth Need Need Total SCAG RHNA 1,133 152 923 2,208 Above Household Income Very Low Moderate Moderate Distribution Income Low Income Income Income Number of Units 513 335 431 929 Percent of Total 23% I S% 20% 42% Source: SCAG, Final 1999 Regional Housing Needs Assessment 2000-2005 Housing Element, Chapter 4. 2000-2005 Housing Element, Appendix E 1.7 The RHNA Target Housing Element law requires communities to identify sites, along with development standards, public services, and infrastructure, that will be made available to facilitate the development of housing commensurate with their community housing goals to the extend feasible and appropriate. Pursuant to the Government Code, communities can demonstrate how they will facilitate and encourage the development of housing commensurate with the RHNA in three ways: (2) Counting "qualified" units that are substantially rehabilitated, or c~nverted from market to affordable rents, or preserved pursuant to AB438 provisions; (2) Counting units that have been built and issued a certificate of occupancy since the beginning of the planning period, which is January 1, 1998; or (3) Demonstrating the availability and adequacy of sites and their relationship toward accommodating the City's RHNA from 1998-2005. Table 3 summarizes how the City will address its RHNA during the 2000-2005 planning period. As indicated in Table 3, the City has met a significant portion of its 1998-2005 RHNA within the first three years of this planning period, and the City anticipates that all remaining planning targets can be satisfied by 2005 based on potential production on underutilized sites citywide. City of Santa Monica 12 Initial Smdy 2000-2005 Housing Element September, 2001 1998-2005 RHNA LJNIT TARGETS AND CREDITS TOWARD SATISFYING THE ADEQUATE SITES REQUIREMENTS 1.8 Housing Affordability Category 1998-2005 RHNA Production Credits Balance of RHNA Very Low 513 258 255 Low 335 171 164 Moderate 431 199 232 Upper 929 1,292 (363) Total 2,208 1,920 288 Source: City of Santa Monica, City Planning Division, 2001. Notes: (. Production credit includes projects with certificates of occupancy, building permit or planning approval after January 1, 1998; excludes pending projects. 2. Sites credits include all vacant and underutilized land multiplied by the affordability distribution of projects that were built, under construcrion, approved, or pending approval since 1998 3. Totals may not sum precisely due to internal rounding. Project Objectives Policies and programs contained in the Draft Element are proposed to accomplish the following objectives: • To comp(y with State requirements regarding the scope and content of housing elements. • To provide more updated information on the City's housing needs and to establish (maintain) goals, policies, and programs to address housing needs. • To provide specific mechanisms to achieve housing goals. • To provide an analysis of low income units at risk of converting to non-low- income (market-rate) housing. • To identify special housing needs groups and provide programs to meet these existing and future housing needs. r City of Santa Monica ( 3 Initial Study 2000-2005 Housing Element September, 2001 Chapter 1 of this Initial Study identified programs in the Draft 2000-2005 Housing Element and detailed changes to those programs since the adoption of the 1998-2003 Housing Element. This section further analyzes each program change to deternune whether any has the potential to impact the environment in Santa Monica. 2.1 Criteria for Evaluation Adoption of the Draft 2000-2005 Housing Element will not result in immediate physical changes to the environment. The Element is a policy document that sets forth City plans to respond to identified housing needs. The City's subsequent and ongoing actions will be to implement programs to meet the City's housing production, rehabilitation and conservation goals. Efforts that result in housing production or other related activities have the potential to affect the environment directly or indirectly. The vast majority of the programs described in the Draft 2000-2005 Housing Element are existing ongoing programs which have already been analyzed in the Final EIR certified for the 1998-2003 Housing Element. Accordingly, only the new and modified programs are analyzed here. Housing programs may adversely impact the environment in different ways. A program may intensify the use of land through offering density bonuses, accelerate the rate of development by streamlining the development process, and/or change land use pattern through rezoning. However, other housing programs may simply work to maintain the quality or affordability ofthe housing stock or provide assistance to the residents. Implementation of such programs will not result in an adverse impact on the physical environment. Many of the City's housing programs fall into this category. Table 4 summarizes each housing program and for each program, describes whether or not the program could potenrially impact the environment. The criteria used in the analysis are: (1) the potential to intensify residential development; (2) the potential to change the pattern or location of residential development; or (3) the potential to accelerate the rate of residential development. 'These criteria are used to assess whether the programs may result in significant environmental impacts as more fully discussed in Section 3.0. Where a program will not result in a direct or indirect changes to the physical environment, the program is identified as having no adverse impact. As Table 4 indicates, none of the new or modified programs is anticipated to result in any environmental effect. The paragraphs and environmental checklist following Table 4 provides further discussion as to why no impact will result. Ciry of Santa Monica 14 Initial Study 2000-2005 Housing Element September, 200t TABLE 4 2000-2005 HOUSING ELEMENT PROGRAMS REVISED FROM THE 1998-2003 HOUSING ELEMENT Program Description Change Potenrial Impact 1 a Assess and Revised action statement: This is a conrinuation Revise, Where Continue to promot of an existing Appropriate, devckrp residential uses in non-residenrial zoning program. Statement City Regulatory districts, including has been updated to Requirements modification of development standards as reflect progress to appropriate to encourage the development of date. No housing in commercial areas ofeh+c-Eity- environmental impact. lb Streamline Added action statement: Program modifies Permit Approval Review City procedures for processing CEQA internal staff Processes documents and modify procedures, as needed, to procedures for enable timely compliance with CEQA and other CEQA compliance. applicable processing obligations, including an Historical, only a examination of ways to streamline 1he process, limited number of such as evaluating and mod~ing procurement residential projects in procedures for consultant retainment and the City have been ~ adjusting stafj'' levels and responsibilities as subject to CEQA. appropriate. Will not accelerate growth rate. No environmental impact. 2a Maintain Added action statements: A d m i n i s t r a t i v e Affordable Monitor, evaluate, and update the Affordable monitoring only. No Housing Housing Production Program, including environmental impact. Production preparation oJ an annual report concerning Program compliance with Propasition R and update pricing requirements annually. 2h Facilitate the Revised action statement: Existing program Development of On a case-by- focuses on Housing for case basis support reconfiguration of exisring combining existing Families with buildings to increase the number of bedrooms and units to enhance Children the size of units for deed restricted affordable living environments projects for families with children. without increasing number of bedrooms. No net change in population or population density. No environmental impact. Ciry of Santa Monica l 5 Initial Study 2000-2005 Housing Element September, 2001 1 hyLL ~ 2000-2005 HOUSING ELEMENT PROGRAMS REVISED FROM THE 1998-2003 HOUSING ELEMENT Proeram Descrintion Chanee Potential Impact 2i Facilitate t6e Revised action statement: Program adjusu i~eveiopmeni ana !v__`____ _t' _J i_"_~__ _"J_ G'_J' ~,onnnue iu ~ccx ~snu ICVCI7I~C vui~~uc ~u~iu~ ia~c4 ~uups iv I I Maintenance of include very low n___'_i ~r__~_ L....,.,.1.,.1.7.. J~CC1S1 1~CCLL5 Fivgi~ii -[v[-- 1ilraiicuuy ui~inTtc 1~~u~cl~~tu~. Housing I afford~ab~c for housing for very low income I No housing ::~~:~ai,~,l.i~ :n~;i:~;:;b ~Z:~ .'..^.u ;2.^.',:i~ '~;.;*.~. uvaavauo, a. ^y:.^,~::~.;.^, ~, ~;:~~ .^.., I I environmental imnart r---• 2k Maintain Added new action statement: Administrative Proposition 1 tilonitor uti~ization oj rroposition [ autnority monitoring oniy. Program I through annual reportingofnew low-rent housing I No environmental projecis. ~mpaci. 3a Develop Revised acrion statement: . Clarifies City goal Programs to To the extent feasible, in addition to the 20% set- I for use of additional I Ameliorate the aside funds, use Redevelopment funds for a redevelopment funds Effects of Costa- housing acquisition, rehabilitation and new for housing Hawkins I construcrion program with a goal of SO%. I programs. Most funds used for I I acquisition or rehabilitation of I I existing units. No environmentai ~ 1 impact. 3b Protection of Revised action statement: Housing assistance to Mobile Home Assist with mobile home park rehabilitation or existing residents. Parks Tenants and conversion to nonprofit or resident ownership No environmental housing as (ifl appropriate and~br feasible. impact. 4b Maintain a Low Added acrion statement: Rehabilitation and inrnma ......,...., l A~~1Hf/0 ~/1 nrinrifi~o )1/M!)C CO~~/1C1~0 ~AM ...........__ ... r........~.. ~....»., .,_. »...__ i... imnrnvPmPnt nf •• •r• ................ Residenrial rehabilitation grants to lower-income senior existing units. Repair Program . households. No environmental impact. 4e Ivlain~sin a i.ead- Ftevised ac[ion statemeni: f~ciministrative Based Paint & I ~~~ '~ Continue to I monitoring only. .4soesios riazard impiemene an eauca~ionai program ana poieniiai i~o environmeniai Reduction other assistance to address the abatement and impact. Program removal of lead based paint. Sa Maintain Section Revised action statement: Housing assistance 8 Rental Continue to operate the Section 8 program and within existing units. Assistance and advocate for funding guidelines and pursue No environmental Housing Voucher addirional fundiag to impact. Program maintain the f:nancial feasibiliry ojthe program. i.i'ry oi Sania ivionica io iniiiai ~cudy 2000-2005 Housing Element September, 2001 2000-2005 HOUSING ELEMENT PROGRAMS REVISED FROM THE 1998-2003 HOUSING ELEMENT Program Description Change Potential Impact Sc Maintain a Added action statement: Housing assistance Homebuyers Assess ways to support home ownership for very for existing units. Assistance low, low, and middle income households utilizing No environmental Program creative financing, government programs and impact. grants, with full protection for existing tenants against loss of housing. 5e Maintain a Revised action statement Housing assistance Temporary Continue to existing residents. Relocation the Temporary Relocarion Program..., including No environmental Program providing emergency hotet vouchers for tenants impact. who have been ordered to vacate their units by the City for code vtolations. Sf Develop Strategy Added action statement: Housing assistance to to Address Continue the Tenant Assistance Rental Program existing residents. Threats to to pay for a percentage of the MAR for Section 8 No environmental HUD's Section 8 tenants whose contracts were cancelled. Apply as impact. Rent Subsidy needed to HUD for Santa Monica to receive Program enhanced rental vouchers. 7a Provide a Revised action statement: Housing Residential Continue to offer grants rehabilitation and Neighborhood to facilitate the installation of improvement for Safety Program deadbolts, peepholes in entry doors, window existing units. locks, and exterior motion detector lights. No environme~tal impacf. 7b Provide Historic Added action statement: Preserves existing Preservation Complete and implement Histaric Preservation historic units. No Programs Element of the General Plan. environmental impact. 7d Facilitate Added action statement: Develop sustainable Green Building Sustainable afJ'ordable housing model. Guidelines encourage Housing sustainable and Development Revised action statement: environmentally SuppoR and encourage the efforts of housing friendly development developers, designers, and contractors in their use practices. of sustainable building practices by exp}oring providing training and No adverse information to nonprofit and private developers. environmental impact. Revised action statement: Integrate the ~ administration of the Su~a~ab~e Green Building £kve~e~ment Guidelines into the existing development approval process. City of Santa Monica 17 Initial Study 2000-2005 Housing Element September, 2001 2.2 Potential for Programs to Result in Environmental Change The l 998-2003 Housing Element proposed 42 programs to address the City's housing needs. 13ecause the vast majority of new and moaihed programs have been impiemented over the past two years, this Initial Study concenirates only on the 17 programs which were modified in some fashion for the present 2000-2005 planning period. Closer examination of the modified nro~rams in the Draft 2000-2005 Housins Element reveals that none of these revisions will result in direct or indirect environmental impacts. These programs are ae~~..;~.oa t~ol,,.,, LL{.Jlil1UV4 VL.1V Y~' . l~he revisea or new housing programs proposed in ine luuu-luu~ iiousing Eiement raii into four categories: 1) record-keeping or monitoring functions; 2) provision of housing assistance; 3) maintenance and improvement of housing; and 4) procedural changes. None nf the new or modified housine nroQrams nresented in Table 4 will chan~e the intencitv ~f -- ---- ----~ - ---- or--o---- - r - --- - - - ------- - ~~-- ----a- --- ---------v -- land use, change the pattern or location of development, or accelerate the rate of residential .7,..,..1.._...,.,...a :« Q..~.~.. 11d....:..., UGVGIV~/111G111 lll JiLllla 1Y1V111\.Q. ~l he C:ity has changeci four action statements oi existing programs to monitor the programs or perform other administrative tasks. Programs calling for implementation and monitoring include: (1) Program 1 a: Assess and Revise, Where Appropriate, City Regulatory Reauirements~ (21 Proeram 2a: Maintain Affordable Housing Pr~ductinn Prn~ram• (~l ~ .-, - -o---- - - - -- - --- -- --------a - ---------- - --a----, .-. Program 2k. Maintain Proposition I Program; and (4) Program 4e. Maintain a Lead Based 71,.:.,.a...,.,-1 A..1~,...a...., iJ...~.....J D...1,...~:..~. D~........~.~. D.........,,. ~L.,.......,.a:,~.~,.. .:11 .. rZlllllQllLLtiJUGJlVJ11aG0.1UAGULLl.L1Vllr1V~1R111. 1JGl.aLLJGl11GJGQGl1V11J Willl:U11L11111GG1Cl~llfl~ programs, no change in existing conditions will occur. Thus, no environmental impact will result. The second group of programs provide housing assistance and supportive services to very low_ low_ and moderate income households and households with snecial needs. 4nme nf -- ~ -- , ...- - ~-- - ~- --~- - -- - ~ - ---------- ------r----------' ------ ~- these programs also encourage home ownership. These programs include: Program 2i: Facilitate the Development and Maintenance of Special Housing Needs Program 3b: Protection of Mobile Home Park Tenants Program Sa: Maintain Section 8 Rental Assistance and Housing Voucher Program Prnoram Sf - --a- -- --• l~evelnn ~tratevv tn Arlr~recc Threatc tn NT TT~'c Certinn R Pmaram -- - ---r --------a~ -- - ------ -------~ -~- --,.,~ „ ...,.....,.. ., ~ ..,b. .,. Program Se: Maintain a Temporary Relocation Program Program Sc: Maintain a Home Ownership Assistance Program "l~hese programs do not facilitate creation of new housing. Rather, they protect the existing housing stock and work to keep existing residents in Santa Monica. No physical environmental changes will result from these programs. ~itv nf Santa Mnnica 1 R ~.,:r~~~ ce,.a., ---~ -- ------ - ------- 2000-2005 Housing Element September, 2001 with Children), 3a (Develop Programs to Ameliorate the Effects of Costa-Hawkins), 4b (Maintain a Low Income Residential Repair Program) and 7a (Provide a Residential Safety Program). These programs are aimed toward facilitating the rehabilitation and improvement of the City's existing housing stock. With regard to 2h, this existing program involves combining existing smaller housing units, generally apartments, into one unit to better accommodate larger families. For example, two one-bedroom units may be reconstructed into a single two- or three-bedroom residence. No net change in population or population density results. This program is also anticipated to be of limited applicability due to thte controlled status of the units. With regard to 3a, the 1998-2003 Housing Element contained an action statement stating the City would seek to spend redevelopment funds beyond the required 20% set-aside rnonies, with no definitive target. The 2Q00-2005 Element clarifies the target to be 50%. Of those monies, roughly two-thirds will be spent on acquisition and rehabilitation progra.ms. The remaining one-third could be used for new construction. City Housing staff estimates only about $13.6 million would be available over the 2000-2005 period for new construction, yielding approximately 68 units. The level of subsidy available is not sufficiently large to accelerate the rate of development. Thus, these programs will not result in new development, change land use patterns, affect intensity of development, nor change the rate of development. The final group consists of one program intended to simplify the City's internal procedures for CEQA compliance, lb (Streamline Permit Approval Processes). This action ite:n does not result in new development, change land use patterns, affect intensity of development, nor change the rate of development. The programs in the 2000-2005 Housing Element represent continuation of programs in the 1998-2003 Housing Element. Many programs have been modified to represent progress to date or in ways that do not produce any significant environmental impacts. No additional housing beyond that analyzed in the 1998-2003 Housing Element is anticipated. City of Santa Monica l9 [nitial Study 2000-2005 Housing Element September, 2001 CIV V 11[VIV/V1CIV IHL l,l-1Cl.I~LIJ I HIV V EXPLANATION OF CHECKLIST RESPONSES 1. Project Title: 2000-2005 Housing Element 2. Lead Agency Name and Address: City of Santa Monica Plannino anri f nmmiinit~~ T1PVS~Innmant TlPnarfmant ~ ....,.....b ..,,.. ...,..,,.,..a,,.~ ,_,... ...~,1..,.,..,.~ ~...t,... ~.....,.. 1685 Main Street, Santa Monica, CA 90401 3. Contact Person and Phone Number: Laura Beck (310-458-8341) 4. Proiect Location: Entire Citv of Santa Monica G Ar~ninn* Cr~r~anr~c Nomn oNa Atlr~rno~• (~iftr ~f C.~r~Fn A~~~inn .J. 11 VJV~.I VtlVilJVl J L~f~LI{r iILY AYYIGJA. ~1~~' Vl UQ11L41~1V111VGi Planning and Community Development Department 16$5 Main Street, 5anta Monica, C:A yU4U 1 6. General Plan Designation: All designations citywide 7. Zoning: All zoning districts citywide 8. Project Description: The project description is provided in Section 1.0 of this document. 9. Surrounding Land Uses and Setting: The Draft Housing Element applies citywide. 10. Other public agencies whose approval is required: Element certification by Deparnnent of Housin¢ and Communitv Develonment. State of California . . i.iry oi Sania ivionica 2~ initiai ~tudy ?000-2005 Housing Element September, 2001 The environmental factors checked below would be potentially affected by this project, involving at least one impact that is a"Potentially Significant Impact" as indicated by the checklist on the following pages. ~ Aesthetics ^ Biological Resources ^ Hazards/Hazardous Materials ^ Mineral Resources ~ Agriculture Resources ^ Air Quality ~ Cultural Resources ~ Geology/Soils ^ Hydrology/Water Quality . ^ Noise ~ Land Use/Planning ~ Population ~ Public Services ~ Recreation ^ Transportation/Traffic ~ Utilities/Service Systems ^ Mandatory Findings of Significance DETERMINATION: On the basis of this initial evaluation: ~ I find that the proposed project COULD NOT have a significant effect on the environment, and a NEGATIVE DECLARATION will be prepared. ^ I find that although the proposed project could have a significant effect on the environment, there will not be a significant effect in this case because revisions in the project have been made by or agreed to by the project proponent. A MITIGATED NEGATIVE DECLARATION will be prepared. ^ I find that the proposed project MAY have a significant effect on the environment, and an ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT REPORT is required. ^ I find that the proposed project MAY have a"potentially significant impact" or "potentially significant unless mitigated" impact on the environment, but at least Ciry of Santa Monica 21 Initial Study 2000-2005 Eiousing Element September, 2001 ~ applicable legal standards, and 2) has been addressed my mitigation measures based on the earlier analysis as described on attached sheets. An ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT REPORT is required, but it must analyze only the effects that remain to be addressed. ^ I find that although the proposed project could have a significant effect on the environment, because all potentially significant effects (a) have been analyzed adequately in an earlier EIR or NEGATIVE DECLAR.ATION pursuant to applicable standards, and (b) have been avoided or mitigated pursuant to that earlier EIR or NEGATIVE DECLARATION, including revisions or mitigation measures that are imposed upon the proposed project, nothing further is required. 9/27/O1 ~ Si a re Date Jay Trevino AICP~ Planning Ntanager Planning ~ Cnmmiini+v Printed Name Fo~Development Department City of Santa Monica 22 Initial Study 2000-2005 Housing Element September, 200] Significant Potentially With Less Than Significant Mitigation Significant No Issues: Impact Incarporated Impact Impact I. AESTHETICS. Would the project: a) Have a substantial adverse ^ o ^ ~ effect on a scenic vista? b) Substantially damage scenic ^ ^ ^ ~ resources, including, but not limited to, trees, rock outcrop- pings, and historic buildings within a state scenic highway? c) Substantially degrade the ^ ^ ^ ~ existing visual character or quality of the site and its surroundings? d) Create a new source of ^~~ - ^ ^ ~ substantial light/glare which would adversely affect day or nighttime views in the area? a through d) As an urbanized community, Santa Monica is largely built out. None of the housing programs or related actions will change any City policies or regulations related to building height, urban design, tree preservation or planting, or exterior lighting. Future residential development will occur as infill, located within commercial areas or existing single-family and multi-family residential neighborhoods. The City has a range of existing policies, procedures, and regulations to ensure that any proposed residential project does not substantially degrade the existing visual character or quality of a site and its surrounding, nor create a new source of substantial light or glare. The City reviews all development plans - including zone clearance, site design, landscaping, architectural design, and building plan check - to ensure conformance with development standards and policies established in the City's General Plan. The City provides different levels of review depending on project location, size, and type. Architectural review is required for new and remodeled housing, except single-family homes in the R-1 district. Condominiums are required to secure a design compatibility permit that focuses on project siting and design. Special needs housing, such as emergency shelters with an occupancy of more than SS persons, must secure a conditional use permit. Finally, projects above a certain size threshold must se~ure a development review permit. These practices allow any potential impacts to be mitigated on a project-by-project basis. City of Santa Monica 23 Initial Study 2000-2005 Housing Element September, 2001 Issues: ~ignuicant Potentially With Less Than Significant Mitigation Significant No Impact Incorporated Impact Impact II. AGRICULTURE RESOURCES: In determining whether impacts to agricultural resources are significant environmental effects, lead agencies may refer to the California Agricultural Land Evaluarion and Site Assessment Model (1997) prepared by the California Department of Conservation as an option to use in assessing impacts on agriculture and farmland. Would the project: a) Convert Prime Farmland, ^ o ~ ~ Unique Farmland, or Farmland of Statewide Importance (Farmland), as shown on the maps prepared pursuant to the Farmland Mapping and Monitoring Program of the California Resources Agency, to a non- agricultural use? b) Conflict with existing zoning ^ ^ ~ ~ for agricultural use, or a Williamson Act contract? c) Involve other changes in the ^ ^ o ~ existing environment which, due to their location or nature, could result in conversion of farmland to non-agricultural use? a through c) According to the City's General Plan Land Use Element, Santa Monica does not contain any prime farmland, unique farmland, or farmland of statewide importance within its jurisdiction. Therefore, the range of policies and programs proposed in the 2000-2005 Draft Housing Element will have no impact on farmland resources. - City of Santa Monica 24 [nitial Study ?000-2005 Housing Efement September, 2001 Significant Potentially Wit6 Less Than Significant Mitigatiou Signit'icant No Issues: Impact Incorporated Impact Impact III. AIR QUALITY: Where available, the significance criteria established by the applicable air quality management or air pollution control district may be relied upon to make the following determinations. Would the project: a) Conflict with or obstruct ^ implementation of the applicable air quality plan? b) Violate any air quality standard or ^ contribute substantially to an existing or projected air quality violation? c) Result in a cumulatively ^ considerable net increase of any criteria pollutant for which the project region is non-attainment under an applicable federal or state ambient air quality standard (including releasing emissions which exceed quantitative thresholds for ozone precursors)? d) Expose sensitive receptors to ^ substantial pollutant concentrations? . e) Create objectionable odors ^ affecting a substantial number of people? ^ ^ ~ ^. ^ ~ ^ ~ ^ a ~ a ^ ^ ~ ~ City of Santa Monica 25 Initial Studv 2000-2005 Housing Element September, 2001 LGJJ 1 114~I Significant Potentially With Less Than Significant Mitigation Significant No Issues: Impact Incorporated Impact Impact a and c) The Draft 2000-2005 Housing Element is consistent with growth projections and land use policy in the Land Use Element. The Southern California Association of Governments (SCAG) and South Coast Air Quality Management District (AQMD) use these growth projections to prepare regional plans, including the Regional Comprehensive Plan and Guide and the Air Quality Management Plan. Both plans contain regional measures to improve transportation mobility and reduce air pollution in compliance with federal and state law. Thus, since the Housing Element is consistent with existing air quality plans, no conflict with such plans will result, To help minimize air pollution resulting from population and housing growth, the 2~00-2005 Housing Element has policies and programs to address the need for improved air quality. Progratn 7d, Facilitate Sustainable Housing Development, proposes to integrate the administration of Green Building Guidelines into the existing development approval process. In addition, the City also requires that new and substantial remodels of multi-family projects achieve a significant reduction in energy usage below Title 24 standards (Ordinance No. 1995 CCS). b) Air quality in the South Coast Air Basin currently exceeds federal and state standards for pollutant levels; therefore, any new development can be expected to contribute to regional pollution levels. However, as discussed in (a) above, housing policy is consistent with existing air quality plans. Also, the Element encourages housing in commercial zones, thereby providing opportunities for residents to use transit or walk to shopping and employment. d) The policies and programs in the Draft 2000-2005 Housing Element will continue to allow residential development in commercial zones. While carbon monoxide concentrations are higher along commercial corridors than the levels within established residential neighborhoods, all new residential development within commercial zones will be required to be insulated and the potential for exposure will be minimized. The City will assess each project individually to determine whether additional measures are appropriate at specific locations. e) The Draft 20~0-2005 Housing Element does not involve nor would it facilitate any new construction of any use associated with objectionable odors. Only residential development will result. Ciry of Santa Monica 26 initial Study 2000-2005 Housing Element September, 2001 Issues: Potentially Sign~cant Impact Significant With Mitigation Incorporated Less Than Significant No Impact Impact IV. BIOLOGICAL RESOURCES. Would the project: a) Have a substantial adverse effect, either directly or through habitat modifications, on any species identi~ed as a candidate, sensitive, or special status species in local or regional plans, policies, or regulations, or by the California Department of Fish and Game or U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service? b) Have a substantial adverse effect on any riparian habitat or other - sensitive natural community identified in local or regional plans, policies, regulations or by the California Deparhnent of Fish and Game or US Fish and Wildlife Service? c) Have a substantial adverse effect on federally protected wetlands as defined by Section 404 of the Clean Water Act (including, but not limited to, marsh, vernal pool, coastal, etc.) through direct removal, filling, hydrological interruption, or other means? d) Interfere substantially with the movement of any native resident or migratory fish or wildIife species or with established native resident or migratory wildlife corridors, or impede the use of native wildlife nursery sites? o ^ ^ ~ ^ o ^ ~ ^ ^ a ~ ^ ^ ^ ~ M City of Santa Monica 27 fnitial Study 2000-2005 Housing Element September, 2001 Significant Potentially With Less Than Significant Mitigatian Significa~t No Issues: Impact Incorporated Impact Impact o~ r~,,,,fl;,.* .~,;rh ~„~, t.,,.~t .,~i;,.;P~ ~T V~ ~V11111VL ~~11,11 Gill~ 1VVM1 t/VliVaVJ va n ~ n ~ n ~a - ~ ordinances protecting biological resources, such as a iree preservation policy or ordinance? ~ Conflict with provisions of an ^ ~ ^ ~ , rt ~ ~ ~ adopiea nav~iai ~onservai~on Plan, Natural Community Conservation Plan, or other annroved local, re~ional, or state habitat conservation? a, b, and d) Santa Monica is a fully urbanized community with few natural open space areas, except parks. Except for the coastal bluffs and the beach, Santa Monica does not have any .~,Ptl~,,.i~ «,;l~ll;fP rnrr;rlnrc nr nther areac whi~h.rrnilti c~mnnrt native nlant anrl animal ....~.~.,....,, .,.,........ ............,.~~ .... .,....... »..,.... ..-.-_.- _..___ .,_rr--- -----•- r---- ---- ---------- communities. The only relatively undisturbed area within Santa Monica is a narrow strip of ...~ n .~nnn ~nn~ •T-- T'i- ~-- -ii- °--- coastai bIUII vegeiaiion. i ne i~ran NVV-LVVJ nousing ~iemen~ aoes noi a~~ow ~or development ~n the bluffs or beach and thus will not have a substantial adverse impact on any candidate, sensitive or special status species, riparian habitat, or sensitive natural community. 1_ _ _Cl`~t_ _ __1 ~ _ _tl__ ~_~_.1_ ~L_ ~ ~L_ /"'~I~. ej io preveni uroan runoii tnai c~uiu p~ieniiaiiy uGgrauc «~c ~ua~-~i~c ci~viruiui~ci~i, «~c ~,~~y requires developers to mitigate up to a storm event through the incorporation of common design elements in their projects. The City's Urban Runoff and Recycling Facility (SMURRF) can also treat 500,000 gallons of runoff per day at California Title 22 standards. e) Pursuant to Chapter 7.40 (Tree Code) of Municipal Code, developers are required to protect trees, shrubs, or plants in any street, boulevard, park, or public place from in~ury resulting from the erection, repair, alteration or removal of any building. Any development activity will require compliance with Chapter 7.40. ~ All new housing development will occur as urban infill and thus will not affect the beach. Santa Monica does not lie within the boundaries of any adopted HCP or NCCP. V. C:UL'1~UltAL K~:SVUKC;~J. Would the project: a) Cause a substantial adverse o .~ •r r change in tne sigmncance oi a historical resource as defined in § 15064.5? City of Santa Monica 28 2000-2005 Housing Element ^ ^ ~ [nitial Stud} September, Z001 Signiticant Potentially With Less Than Significant Mitigation Significant No Issues: Impact Incorporated Impact Impact b) Cause a substantial adverse ^ ~ ~ ~ change in the significance of an archaeological resource pursuant to § 15064.5? c) Directly or indirectly destroy a o o ~ ~ unique paleontological resource or ~ site or unique geologic feature? d) Disturb any human remains, o ~ ~ ~ including those interred outside of formal cemeteries? a) Santa Monica has a significant number of historically and architecturally significant structures. The City has 1 National Historic Landmark, 7 National Register properties, 38 City Landmarks, 2 Historic Districts, and 2 Structures of Merit. Moreover, over 400 additional properties . have been identified as potentially eligible for City Landmark designation. Santa Monica has long supported historic preservation. In 1992, the City became a"Certified Local Government" under provisions set forth in the National Historic Preservation Act. To be eligible, the City must have a historic preservation ordinance and a preservation commission, provide adequate public participation in the enforcement of preservation laws, and conduct a comprehensive historic and architectural survey. Policy 7.4 of the Draft 2000- 2005 Housing Element supports and calls for the preservation ofthe City's historic resources. The City's Draft Historic Preservation Element also calls for the preservation of City historic resources. The City implements local programs to facilitate the preservation ofhistoric structures. First, the City requires a Certificate of Appropriateness for any proposed alterations, restorations, construction, removal, relocation or demolition of landmark buildings and contributing buildings within historic districts. The Landmark Ordinance, consistent with the State Historic Building Code, allows the Building Official to waive State building, electrical, housing, mechanical, or plumbing code for the continued historic preservation of a landmark, provided such waiver does not endanger public health or safety. The City also waives building permit and Certificate of Appropriateness fees, provides parking incentives, and provides other historic preservation incentives such as the Mills Act. Continued implementation of programs that relate to housing production and historic preservation work to avoid impact. City of Santa Monica 29 Initial Study 2000-2005 Housing Element September, 2001 Significant Potentially With Less Than Significaot Mitigation Sign~cant No Issues: Impact Incorporated Impsct Impact b) The City has documented two prehistoric sites in the southwestern portion of the community which contain good selections of lithic artifacts dating to the Early Prehistoric Period. The City of Santa Monica CEQA Guidelines follow the State guidelines and require the protection of known and unknown archaeological resources. State regulations regarding accidental discovery of such resources apply to projects that are exempt from CEQA requirements as well. c) Adoption of the Housing Element will not provide any new housing and thus will not directly affect any paleontological or unique geologic features. Development involving excavation will require CEQA compliance and mitigation as needed on a project-specific basis. No direct effects will result, and future indirect impacts, if any, will be addressed at the time individual housing projects are proposed. State regulations regarding accidental discovery of such resources apply to projects that are exempt from CEQA requirements as well. d) The Housing Element does not allow for development on any established cemetery. With regard to Native American remains, Section 15064.5 (e) of the State CEQA Guidelines provides adequate guidance for the protection of any human remains accidently discovered during construction activity. State regulations regarding accidental discovery of such resources apply to projects that are exempt from CEQA requirements as well. VI. GEOLOGY AND SOILS. Would the project: a) Expose people or structures to potential substantial adverse effects, including the risk of loss, injury, or death involving: i) Rupture of a known earthquake fau~t, as delineated on the most recent Alquist- Priolo Earthquake Fault Zoning Map issued by the State Geologist for the area based on other substantial evidence of a known fault? Refer to Division of Mines and Geology Special Publication 42. ^ ^ ~ ^ City of Santa Monica 30 [nitiai Stud_y 2000-2005 Housing Element September, 2001 ssues: Potenrially Sigaificant Impact Significant With Mitigation Incorporated Less Than Significant No Impact Impact ii) Strong seismic ground ^ ^ ~ ^ shaking? iii) Seismic-related ground ^ ^ ~ o failure, including liquefaction? iv) Landslides? ^ o ~ ^ b) Result in substantial soil erosion o ^ ~ ^ or the loss of topsoil? , c) Be Iocated on a geologic unit or ^ o ~ ^ soil that is unstable, or that would become unstable as a result of the project, and potentially result in on- or off-site landslide, lateral spreading, subsidence, liquefaction or~collapse? d) Be located on expansive soil, as ^ ^ ~ ^ defined in Table 18-1-B of the Uniform Building Code (1994), creating substantial risks to life or property? e) Have soils incapable of ^ ^ ^ ~ adequately supporting the use of septic tanks or alternative waste water disposal systems where sewers are not available for disposing waste water? ~ Ciry of Santa Monica 31 initial Study 2000-2005 Housing Element September, 2001 Significant Potentially With Less Than Significant Mitigarion Significant No Issues: lmpact lncorporated lmpact lmpact a through d) Santa Monica, like most communities in Southern California, is located in a . . _,~-- --~---- ------ -_~ ~- -----_~.~- ~- --~--- ~ __.__~_-„-- --~---- ~ --~~- ~-- ~--- sei5nucauy a~uvc rcgi~n oiiu iu pr~xuiu~y w a~uvc aiiu ~u~cuuaiiy at;uve iauits. i uC Jan~a Monica-Malibu Coast Fault extends in an east-west direction along the southern margins of the western Santa Monica Mountains and into Santa Monica Bay. A fault hazard zone has been established around this earthquake fault. (:rnnn~lehalrina liniiPfartinn an~l e~rnancive cnil rPnrecPnt nntential ha~ar~c tn hnucino ThP ._,.~,......~.....,.. .b~ -n~.._...,..., ., ... .. .t.........., .,.,.. ..,t...,...,... t ............. .......~...., .., ...,..,.. .b. ...., According to the 1996 MEA, liquefaction is possible along the low-lying coastal strip, the ~ f • ~ f_ .t_ _ r.i_ _ ~•, r ^ t• t. ~ i ~ norinern inausiriai comaor, ana svur.nwesi corner or ine ~iry. Lanas-iae nazaras exisi aiong the cliffs below Palisades Park overlooking Pacific Coast Highway. Landslide probability is high given a strong earthquake of a magnitude of 6.5 or greater. The City has established a landslides hazard manaQement zone for that area, and no housin~ exists or is nlanned. Adoption of the Housing Element will not result in development projects. Future housing development pursuant to housing policies could involve excavation, grading, and building construction at individual sites throughout the community. Depending on the location of development, new units could have the potential to be exposed to the geotechnical and ePicmi~ ha~arrle ritvrl ahnvP _ i_ _ ~ _ _ 1 _ _ f . . i. ~ r i i he ~i"ry reviews every nvusing oeveiopmeni proposai to assess ~ne poieniiai ror nazards and requires geotechnical reports if a development is proposed on an at-risk site. Such reports will detail specific engineering and building techniques that are required by State and local building codes to avoid hazards, thus mitigating any impact to a less-than-significant level. e) All of Santa Monica is served by sanitary sewers. No septic tanks or alternative disposal systems will be affected. City oT Janta ivloniCa 3Z Ini[~al Study 2000-2005 Housing Element 5eptember, 2001 Significant Potentially With Less Than Significant Mitigation Significant No Issues: Impact Incorporated Impact Impact ~~ri, u e ~. e A n c e?v n HA7.ARnOUS MATERIALS. .t, _ , ~ ., ~rvouia me pro~eci: a1 f'rPatP a cionifi~ant ha~arr~ tn thP ^ ^ ^ ~ --~ ~------ - -a--------- r....._..~ ._ _~_ public or the environment through ~L_ ~....._..__~ uic iutiiiiic u aii~j~ur~, iiSc, vi disposal of hazardous materials? b) Create a significant hazard to the ^ „~,~;,, ,._*,,o o,,..;_,..,..,o..*.w_,.,,,,,, ~LLU11\. Vl L114 V11Y11V11111V11LU11VLL~11 reasonably foreseeable upset and accident conditions involving the release of hazardous materials into the environment? c j Emit hazardous emissions or u~ handle hazardous or acutely hazardous materials, substances, or waste within one-QUarter mile of an existing or proposed school? d) Be located on a site which is included on a list of hazazdous materials sites compiled pursuant to Government Code Section 65962.5 and, as a result, would it •r ~ .~ creaie a signiiicani nazard io ine public or the environment? e) For a project located within an airport land use plan or, where such a plan has not been adopted, within two miles of a public airport or public use airport, would the project result in a safety hazard for people residing or working in the project area? ^ ^ ^ u ^ 0 ~ u ~ ~ 0 ~ ^ ^ - City of Janta ivionica 33 fnitial S[udy Z000-2005 Hausing Element September, 2001 Significant Potentially With Less Than Significant Mitigatioa • Significant No Issues: Impact Incorporated Impact Impact fl For a project within the vicinity of o ^ ^ ~ a private airstrip, would the project result in a safety hazard for people residing or working in the project area? g) Impair implementation of or ^ ^ ~ ~ physically interfere with an adopted emergency response plan or emergency evacuation plan? h) Expose people or structures to a o ^ ^ ~ significant risk of loss, injury or death involving wildland fires, including where wildlands are adjacent to urbanized areas or where residences are intermixed with wildlands? a and c) Adoption of the Housing Element will not result in any activity that will transpoR, use, or dispose of hazardous materials. b) Future residential development in neighborhoods zoned exclusively for residential uses will not expose residents to hazardous materials aside from typical households chemicals and so~vents. In areas zoned for mixed use, new units may be constructed in close proximity to commercial businesses that store or use hazardous materials. Through site plan review and building permit review processes, the City Fire Department currently reviews and will continue to review projects to ensure that adequate construction approaches and other safeguards are incorporated into a project to protect residential uses from any potential hazard. For businesses that store or handle hazardous materials in excess of specified thresholds, Chapter 5.24 of the Municipal Code requires certain precautions to minimize potential risks. Businesses are required to (1) provide the City with an inventory of the hazardous materials used and generated on site and (2) establish emergency response plans in the even of a significant release of a hazardous material. The City uses this information to maintain a comprehensive database of all chemicals and prepare an areawide emergency plan. Emergency plans prepared by the individual business and areawide plans prepared by the City must be in accordance with the regulations adopted by the State Office of Emergency Services. - Ciry of Santa Monica 34 [nitial Smdy 2000-2005 Housing Element September, 2001 Issues: Significant Potentially With Less Than Significant Mirigation Significaat No Impact Incorporated Impact Impact d) According to the 1996 MEA, approximately 64 sites throughout the City have been identified as hazardous waste sites, primarily due to soil contamination from leaking tanks. The majority of the sites are commercial properties such as gasoline service stations and car dealerships. Many of the sites have been remediated per State and federal laws. e and ~ No private airstrip exists in the City. However, Santa Monica Municipal Airport is a general aviation facility that has traffic patterns over residential neighborhoods. Both the airport and neighborhoods are long-established uses. Within the flight pattern, buildings are not pernutted to exceed two stories in height. Adoption of the Housing Element will not result in changes in land use changes or development standards that increase development intensity within the airport-affected area. No direct or indirect impacts will result. g) Housing Element policies aze focused on creating safe, affordable, accessible housing. Program implementation will result in housing construction in established neighborhoods and commercial districts where emergency services are readily available. All new construction will be required to comply with City codes relative to emergency access. h) Santa Monica is fully urbanized, as are surrounding communities. The City is not in close proximity to any natural area that poses wildland fire hazards. VIII. HYDROLOGY AND WATER QUALITY. Would the project: a) Violate any water quality standards or waste discharge requirements? b) Substantially deplete groundwater supplies or interfere substantially with groundwater recharge such that there would be a net deficit in aquifer volume or a lowering of the local groundwater table level. c) Substantially alter the existing drainage pattern of the site or area, including through the alteration of the course of a stream or river, in a manner which would result in substantial erosion or siltation on- or off-site? a ^ ^ ~ o ^ o ~ ^ ^ ^ ~ City of Santa Monica 35 Initial Study 2000-2005 Housing Element September, 2001 ssues: Potenrially Signiticant Impact Significant With Less T6an Mitigation Significant Incorporated Impact No Impact d) Create or contribute runoff water ^ o ~ ^ which would exceed the capacity of existing or planned stormwater drainage systems or provide substantial additional sources of polluted runoff? e) Otherwise substantially degrade ^ o ^ ~ water quality? fl Place housing within a 1Q0-year ^~ ^ o ~ flood hazard area as mapped on a federal Flood Hazard Boundary or Flood Insurance Rate Map or other flood hazard delineation map? g) Place within a 100-year flood ^ ^ ^ ~ hazard area structures which would impede or redirect flood flows? h) Expose people or structures to a ^ ^ ~ ^ significant risk of loss, injury or death involving flooding, including flooding as a result of the failure of a levee or dam? i) Inundation of seiche, tsunami, or ^ ^ ~ ^ mudflow? a and e) The policies and programs proposed in the 2000-2005 Housing Element do not involve any activity that would violate any water standards or waste discharge requirements nor would otherwise substantially degrade water quality. The programs focus on providing safe, affordable housing consistent with projected housing needs. b} Groundwater resources in Santa Monica consist of a complex system of aquifers and an aquiclude, separated by bedrock or layers of soil. Future residential projects will not include the installation of groundwater wells in the area nor the provision of recharge basins. Future residential projects will be required to comply with City ordinances requiring low-water- usage plumbing fixtures and the capturir.g of stormwater runoff for recharge purposes. t City of Santa Monica 36 Initial Study 2000-2005 Housing Element September, 2001 Potentially Significant lssues: lmpsct cl ~anta Mnnica is ac a hiwhlv iirhani~ed c~mm~initv ~ -, -------- --------- -- ---o---~ ------- ----------~ ~ No natural stream course exists in the City. Significant With Less Than Mitigation 5ignificant No lncorporated lmpact lmpact vith all r~rainaue infractn~ct~ire in nlace ' ---- --- --------a- -------------- --- r----• d) Santa Monica is densely developed with commercial, industrial and residential uses which cover a substantial nortion of the Citv's nervious surfaces. The Draft 2000-2005 Housin~ , . - ~ Element does not propose substantial change in land uses and therefore will not substantially u+~n nm~iir~4 ~~ imrur~~i~~ic ciirf~nac nr r~~e~~~~~rn4nr T~ ~...i1.o.~ ..~o..e..* ..~L..... .~. ....Ff' 111L.1VQJV LiIV 0.111VY11~ Vl llllr7~1 ~IVYJ Jt1114V{,rJ Vl lLLi1V11 VPGl~Vl. 1 V 1L11U1V1 ~J1bVG11L 111VC11111111V11 that could potentially degrade the environment, the City requires developers to design projects in a manner tnat mitigates a"storm event" of runott tiuough the incorporation ot common design elements in their projects. The City's Urban Runoff and Recycling Facility (SMIJRRF) can also treat 500,000 gallons of runoff per day at California Title 22 standards. ,-„ , f and gj i ne i~ran 2uvu-2u"v~ riousing ~iemeni aoes noi propose io piace any specinc new residential projects or any projects within a 100-year nor 500-year floodplain. The National Flood Insurance Program has classified the flood hazard potential in the City as non-existent. L_-J!\ A_ ~J:~_. aL_ /"~.~_7_ tAl~f C~_C_~_Tl_~__~~ [1a___ /"~_____- __~T' _ T_ n ana iJ tsccuruin~ iu ~ne ~,i~y 5 i y7~ ~aiC~y ~icm~n~, ~~~ne ~,anyvn anu tc.tviera tce5ervoirs north of the City pose potential dam failure and inundation resulting from earthquakes and extremely heavy rainfall. The City owns three five-million gallon reservoirs - Arcadia, Mount Olivette and San Vicente - which pose local inundation hazards due to a seich durinQ an earthquake. The low-lying coastal areas are susceptible to tsunami inundation resulting frnm laroP riictant Parthm~alrac nr an aarthnnalra nr lanr~clir~a within Canta Mnnira R~v ...,~.. . .b.. .~..,.«... .,.........1..,..~.,.. .,. ».. .,........i..».~., .,. ....... ......... ......... .......» ............ .....J. Housing Element policy is consistent with Land Use Element land use policy. Adoption of the Housing Element will not create any new conditions regarding exposure. r:..,..rc.,..... ~s,...:,,.. ~-r T_:.:_~ n...~_. V,a~' vl .~auaa lvivw~.a J i iuluGll Jluuy 2000-2005 Housing Element September, 2001 ssues: Potentiatly Sign~cant Impact Significant With Mitigation Incorporated Less T6an Significant No Impact Impact IX. LAND USE AND PLANNING. Would the project: a) Physically divide an established ^ ^ ^ ~ community? b) Conflict with any applicable land ^ ^ ^ ~ use plan, policy, or regulation of an agency with jurisdiction over the project (including, but not limited to the general plan, specific plan, local coastal program, or zoning ordinance) adopted for the purpose of avoiding or mitigating an environmental effect? ~ c) Conflict with any applicable ^ ^ ^ ~ habitat conservation plan or natural community conservation plan? a and b) Santa Monica is virtually built out. The policies and programs in the Draft 2000- 2005 Housing Element do not propose any land use changes and thus will not divide an established community. The Element reflects and responds to adopted land use policy and therefore does not conflict with any applicable land use plan, policy, or regulation adopted for the purposes of avoiding or mitigating an environmental effect. c} As indicated in response to item IV(~ in this Initial Study, no habitat conservation plan or community conservation plan applies within the City. X. MINERAL RESOURCES. Would the project: a) Result in the loss of availability of ^ ^ ^ ~ a known mineral resource that would be of value to the region and the residents of the state? ~ Ciry of Santa Monica 38 Initial Study 2000-2005 Nousing Element September, 2001 Sign~cant Potentially With Less Than Significant Mitigation Significant No Issues: Impact Incorporated Impact Impact b) Result in the loss of availability of ^ ^ ^ ~ a locally-important mineral resource recovery site delineated on a local general plan, specific plan or other land use plan? a and b) The 1996 MEA does not identify any known mineral resource that would be of value to the region and residents of the state in Santa Monica. Therefore, the policies and programs in the Draft 2000-2005 Housing Element have no impact. XI. NOISE. Would the project result in: a) Exposure of persons to or generation of noise levels in excess of standards established in the local general plan or noise ordinance, or applicable standards of other agencies? b) Exposure of persons to or generation of excessive groundborne vibration or groundborne noise levels? c) A substantial permanent increase in ambient noise levels in the project vicinity above levels existing without the project? d) A substantial temporary or periodic increase in ambient noise levels in the proj ect vicinity above levels existing without the project? ^ ^ ^ ^ o ^ ^ ^ a ~ ~ ^ a ~ ~ ^ , City of Santa Monica 39 Initial Study 2000-2005 Housing Element September, 2001 Significant Potentially With Less Than Signific$nt Mitigarion Significant No Issues: Impact Incorporated Impact Impact e) For a project located within an ^ ^ ~ o airport land use plan or, where such a plan has not been adopted, within two miles of a public airport or public use airport, would the project expose people ~ residing or working in the project area to excessive noise levels? ~ For a project within the vicinity of ^ ^ ~ ~ a private airstrip, would the project expose people residing or working in the project area to excessive noise levels? ~ a, c, and d) Draft 2000-2005 Housing Element implementation will provide for housing development consistent with the land use policy map contained in the General Plan Land Use Element. The Land Use Element provides for development patterns consistent with noise/land use compatibility policies. The only new noise sources will be those ordinarily associated with residential uses. b) Element programs will continue to allow housing development in certain commercial zones. In commercial zones, groundborne vibration may be associated with uses such as nightclubs. The City assesses housing developments to ensure persons would not be exposed to potentially adverse conditions of commercial uses. e and ~ See the discussion under item VII (e and ~. Existing activity at Santa Monica Airport affects neighborhoods at the southern end of the City. Implementation of Housing Element policies will, consistent with the Land Use Element, continue to allow for modest new construction within the airport-affected area. Existing City development practices have deemed the uses to be compatible. Ciry of Santa Monica 40 Initial Study 2000-2005 Housing Element September, 2001 Issues: JIgIIlIlCflOi Potentiallv With Less Than Significant Mitigarion Significant No Impact Incorporated Impact Impact XII. POPULATION AND HOUSING. Would the project: a) Induce substantial population growth in an area, either directly (for example, by proposing new homes and businesses) or indirectly (for example, through extension of roads or other infrastructure)? b) Displace substantial numbers of existing housing, necessitating the construction of replacement housing elsewhere? c) Displace substantial numbers of people, necessitating the construction of replacement housing elsewhere? o ^ ~ ^ ^ ^ ^ ~ ^ ^ o ~ a) Housing Element policies are designed to implement land use policies of the General Plan Land Use Element and therefore will not induce growth beyond that already anticipated in long-range planning documents. The project does not involve construction of roads or other infrastructure. b and c) The Housing Element focuses on expanding housing opportunities for all~segments of the population and improving the quality of existing housing stock. Element policies and programs will not result in the removal of any housing. ~ City of Santa Monica 41 Initial Study 2000-2005 Housing Element September, 2001 Significant Potenrially With Less Than Significant Mirigation Significant No Issues: Impact Incorporated Impact Impact XIII. PUBLIC SERVICES a) Would the project result in substantial adverse physical impacts associated with the provision of new or physically altered government facilities, need for new or physically altered governmental facilities, the construction of which could cause significant environmental impacts, in order to maintain acceptable service ratios, response times or other performance objectives for any of the public services: Fire protection? ^ o ~ ~ Police protection? ^ ^ ~ ^ Schools? ~ ~ ~ ~ Parks? ^ ~ ~ o Other public facilities? ^ ^ ~ ~ Santa Monica provides a range of public services to accommodate the needs of its residents. These include fire protection, police protection, parks, and other public facilities. These facilities are designed to accommodate the service needs of the population and therefore, standard service levels have been established. Service standards are determined by a combination of factors, including firefighter orpolice officers per 1,000 residents population, response times, park acreage per 1,000 residents, and other measures. On an annual basis, the City reviews its budget to assess public service needs and allocates spending accordingly. Taxes and fees assessed on new development pay the cost of providing services. Given that the population/housing increase facilitated by existing Housing Element programs is consistent with the Land Use Element and that City long-range planning for public services uses projections as a foundation for programming facilities and services, the project will not create a demand for new facilities beyond those currently anticipated and planned. City of Santa Monica 42 Initial Study 2000-2005 Housing Element September, 2001 Issues: Significant Potentially With Less Than Significant Mitigation SigniScant No Impact Incorporated Impact Impact With regard to schools, the Santa Monica-Malibu Unified School District provides public education for grades K-12. Many schools within the district operate at or over design capacity. New housing units will generate new school children. Pursuant to State law,'= developers are required to pay fees adopted by school districts to offset the impact. XIV. RECREATION a) Would the project increase the use ^ o ~ ~ of existing neighborhood and regional parks or other recreational facilities such that substantial physical deterioration of the facility would occur or be accelerated? b) Does the project include o~ o ~ ~ recreational facilities or require the construction or expansion of recreational facilities which might have an adverse physical effect on the environment? a and b) Santa Monica cunently contains 112 acres of public parkland and 60 acres of other open space, for a total of 172 acres. According to guidelines published by the National Recreation and Parks Association (NRPA), from 2.5 to 5.0 acres of open space should be provided for every 1,000 residents. (The City's Open Space Element of the General Plan does not set forth any such parallel criteria.) With a population of 84,000 (2000 Census), Santa Monica should have between 210 to 420 acres of parks and open space available in the community. Based on NR.PA standards, there is a current shortfall of parks and open space in Santa Monica of 38 to 248 acres. To address this shortfall, the 2001 Open Space Element and accompanying Parks and Recreation Master Plan has been prepared. The Open Space Element identifies an additional 39 to 41 acres of parkland and open space which would satisfy the minimum recommended standard. To partially fund parkland acquisition, the City requires developers of new office projects to provide park space or in-lieu fees. To date, all projects have paid the in-lieu fee. The City will continue to assesses a park and recreational fee on new residential development. ''- Govemment Code Section 65995 et seq. City of Santa Monica 43 lnitial Study 2000-2005 Housing E-ement September, 200I Significant Potentially With Less Than Significant Mitigatiou Significant No Issues: Impact Incorporated Impact Impact XV. TRANSPORTATION/ TRA.FFIC. Would the project: a) Cause an increase in traffic which ^ ^ ~ ^ is substantial in relation to the existing traffic load and capacity of the street system (i.e., result in . a substantial increase in either the number of vehicle trips, the volume to capacity ratio on roads, or congestion at intersections)? b) Exceed, either individually or ^ ^ ~ ^ cumulatively, a level of service standard established by the county congestion management agency for designated roads or highways? c) Result in a change in air traffic ^ o o ~ patterns, including either an increase in traffic levels or a change in location that results in ~ substantial safety risks? d) Substantially increase hazards due ^ ^ ^ ~ to a design feature (e.g., sharp curves or dangerous intersections) or incompatible uses (e.g., farm equipment)? e) Result in inadequate emergency o ^ o ~ access? ~ Result in inadequate parking o o ^ ~ capacity? g) Conflict with adopted policies, ^ o o ~ plans, or program supporting alternative transportation (e.g., bus turnouts, bicycle racks)? k Ciry of Santa Monica 44 Initial Study 2000-2005 Housing Element September, 2001 Significant Patentially With Less Than Significant Mitigation Significant No Issues: Impact Incorporated Impact Impact _~ L~ A _ _..1:~~ ~... rL_ 1llAL i~.fT' A ~..rr_,. ,. ,..:~_ _ _~.. .. ..t,..,._~:,.t .,. ,.t,.t,..... : a anu v~ rt~~uiuiii~ ~u ~uc 177V 1Vlt,t1~ uaiii~ ~vii~c~~iuii i~j~i~S2iiw a Suu~uui~iai ~rivv~~i~~ ~ii Santa Monica. During peak travel hours, many intersections experience extremely poor operating conditions (level of service F). The City utilizes several approaches to reducing congestion, including traffic signal synchronization, increased public transit service, incentives for reduced use of private automobiles, and encouraging land use patterns that allnw ne~nle to walk to sh~ns_ services_ and nlaces of emnlovment_ ---- ~- r--r ----r-> > --- r r--~ The Draft 2000-2005 Housing Element will not result directly in the construction of new housing units. All new housing production will occur within the limits established by the Land Use Element and bv association. has been accounted for in the Circulation Element. Also, the Housing Element encourages housing production in commercial districts, which will ..«l. ~.. ..e.7.,..e .. .~nll 4rir~n 1~... ..lnn:.~.~ n rlerr~ns~+n.-i~ ~ nl~oor ~rr~vimil~• 4~ ~no WVll\ lV IGUUVG VYV10.11 111rJJ Vr ~J141i111~ VVlll~/lVlllli111.41~ tiJVJ 111 b1VJV1 rl1VAl11L~~' ~V Vllt. another. The City will continue to examine individual housing development proposals as they are c»hmitta~i tn r~PtPrmina whPthar anv citP_crPrifir annrnarhPC arP rPnnirer~ tn ar~r~rPec fnr~~cPrl ~..~.~.~.,.,.... ... ................ ..........,. »..~ ~..., .,t,.,.,...., ,.r,t,..,,..,...... ..... .....t»._.,... .., ».........,. _.,.,»...... traffic concerns. c) The Draft 2000-2005 Housing Element will not result in any action that would affect aircraft traffic in anri rnit nf 4anta M~nica Aimnrt_ The F.lement fncuses ~n nr~vidin~ ~afe_ -"----' ------- --- ---- --- -- ------ -'------- - ---r---• ---- ---------- ------- --- r-- -----o ----~ affordable housing consistent with the City's housing needs. See also discussion of item VII ~_. l~l• d) The Draft 2000-2005 Housing Element does not nronose anv chan~e to anv roadwav. nor ~ . . , ~ . ~. does it involve use of vehicles. e) Existing regulations require developers to ensure that adequate emergency access is available for new residential develovments. Continuation of existing Citv practices will avoid impact. V ~ Future housing projects will create a demand for parking once the new units have been occupied. To provide for sufficient parking spaces, the Zoning Ordinance specifies the number of parking spaces (on-site and off-site) necessary to accommodate the demands rPC>>ltina frnm rlifferent tvnec nf recir~Pntia) i~cec RecaiicP each ~levelnnment ic rennirPr~ ae ,...,».""b "..."' ...a~...~.... .~Y~., .,~ ....,.....,....». .~.,...,. ~.......».... ......... .~........r ......... ... ....1».~....~ .~., part of the project approval, to provide adequate parking, new housing projects will not have an impaci. g) The Draft 2000-2005 Housing Element does not contain any policies or programs relating to alternative transportation. Implementation of land use policy that encourages mixed-use ,~.__..,i.,~_....,..~a /D,.1:,... 1,. ,.a:..~. ..*..a,......,.~.a\ R.~rL.,...,. ...i~..~a...7 ..1:,.:,.,, al...,a ,..w ~...._..:a u~vciv~uicii< <rvii~y ia - a~u~u ~~a~ciiiciu~ iuiuici~ auv~«u ~~u~ioa ~iia~ Sii~~vi~ uaiwi~ usage. ~ City of Santa Monica 45 tnitial Study 2000-2005 Housing Element September, 2001 Issues: Significant Potentially With Less Than Significaat Mirigatioo Significant No Impact Incorporated Impact Impact XVI. UTILITIES AND SERVICE SYSTEMS. Would the project: a) Exceed wastewater treatment requirements of the applicable Regional Water Quality Control Board? b) Require or result in the construction of new water or wastewater treatment facilities or expansion of existing facilities, the construction of which would cause significant environmental effects? c) Require or result in the construction of new storm water drainage facilities or expansion of existing facilities, the construction of which could cause significant environmental effects? d) Have sufficient water supplies available to serve the project from existing entitlements and resources, or are new or expanded entitlements needed? e) Result in a determination by the wastewater treatment provider which serves or may serve the project that it has adequate capacity to serve the project's projected demand in addition to the provider's existing commitments? ~ Be served by a landfill with sufficient permitted capacity to accommodate the project's solid waste disposal needs? ^ ^ ^ ~ D ^ ~ ~ ^ ^ ^ ~ 0 0 ~ o ^ ^ ^ ~ ^ ^ ~ ^ ~ City of Santa Monica 46 (nitial Study 2000-2005 Housing Element September, 2001 Significant Potentiallv With Less Than Significant Mitigation Significant No Issues: Impact Incorporated Impact Impact g) Comply with federal, state, and ^ ~ o ~ local statutes and regulations related to solid waste? a and e). Housing does not have any unique wastewater treatrnent reqwrements. b) The Housing Element provides for new housing production within the limits established in the Land Use Element. Long-term treatment needs projections and plans have been based on the Land Use Element. No expanded wastewater treatment needs will result from Housing Element adoption. c) The City's 1996 MEA identified several deficiencies to the storm drainage system, resulting from the advanced age of portions of the system, construction technologies used at the time of development, as well as significant damage from the 1994 Northridge Earthquake. However, the City of Santa Monica currently has in place an aggressive capital improvement program that leverages local, state and federal funding sources to improve drainage infrastructure. Sufficient storm drainage capacity is in place or planned to meet future development needs. d) Santa Monica maintains its own domestic water system. The City's historic reliance on local groundwater has been substantially diminished in recent years due to well contamination (MTBE). New housing may consume additional water. Existing aggressive City programs to minimize net new demands for water (e.g. low-flow plumbing features, retrofit programs) will avoid impact on a project-specific basis. ~ Countywide, landfill capacity is diminishing. According to the 1996 MEA, over 90% of the City's waste is landfilled at the Puente Hills Landfill in Whittier. The County of Los Angeles, operates this landfill under a conditional use permit, which limits disposal to 72,000 tons per week, with a maximum allowable daily tonnage of 13,200 tons. The site is open to Monday through Saturday till 5:00 p.m. The City has entered into a contract the Bradley Landfill and BFI Sunshine Canyon Landfill to accept solid waste when the County facility reaches its daily capacity. New housing can be expected to increase waste (construction and household waste). The City has in place ordinances and programs requiring recycling by single-family and multi-family housing occupants, as well as reuse/recycling of construction waste. Continued implementation of City programs at the project-specific level will minimize indirect project impacts. City of Santa Monica 47 initia] Study 2000-2005 Housing Element September, Z001 issues: Significant Potentially Wit6 Less Than Significant Mitigation Significant No impaci incorporaiea impaci impact gl The Citv comnlies with all federal_ State and local statutes and regulations related to solid ai ~ - - --r ~ - - - -- - - - - -~ ~ - - - - - - ~ - - - - ~ waste. Pursuant to the California lntegrated Waste Management Act of 1989, the City ..a:.....,... ~,. ,i:.,,..w .. ,~..:1:,.....+..,.~:,... ..F:~.. ~,.1:.7 . .,~e ~-....., 1.~...i~ll +1.........1. .. ...L.~:.Ie Vv11u11u~~ w u1vc1~ a Si~tiiil~altt ~ut~i~ii vi iw ~viiu wae« iiviii taiiuaiii uuvusu a ~i.uv~iuc recycling, household hazardous waste program, and a construction and demolition diversion program. ln addition, the City requires the use ot recycled matenals m new construction. , r;.., ,.rc.,..... ~.~,,.,:,.., eo r..:.:..~ c...a.. ..,~y .,, ~a„~o ,...,~.~.,a ~~ .~~,«a~ ~~~.,y 2000-2005 Housing Element September, 2001 Significant Potentially With Less Than Signiticant Mitigation Significant No Issues: Impact Incorporated Impact Impact XVII. MANDATORY FINDINGS OF SIGIYIFICANCE a) Does the project have the ^ o ~ ~ potential to degrade the quality of the environment, substantially reduce the habitat of a fish or ~ wildlife species, cause a fish or wildlife population to drop below self-sustaining levels, threaten to eliminate a plant or animal community, reduce the number or restrict the range of a rare or endangered plant or animal or eliminate important examples of the major periods of California history or prehistory? b) Does the project have impacts that a o ~ ^ are individually limited, but cumulatively considerable? ("Cumulatively considerable" means that the incremental effects of a project are considerable when viewed in connection with the effects of past projects, the effects of other current projects, and the effects of probable future projects.) c) Does the project have o o ^ ~ environmental effects which will cause substantial adverse effects on human beings, either directly or indirectly? a) As discussed in item IV, the Draft 2000-2005 Housing Element will not provide for housing development in any sensitive biological resource areas. As discussed in item V, Element Policy 7b works to preserve historic resources. City of Santa Monica 49 Initial Study 2000-2005 Housing Element September, 2001 issues: Signiticant Potentially With Less Than Significant Mitigation Significant No impsc~ ~~---~ inco~puiuica impaci impae~ hl The Draft 2000-2005 Housin~ Element is a nolicv document that nrovides direction for -, o - . - providing safe, affordable housing commensurate with the City's five-year housing needs. Tl.~,......1.....~ ~1.:.. T..:+:..1 C'~,..i.. ..~.,,1.~*i:.u n~nn4n ~~ n~~ ~ni~einn r~rntrrhmc }~~arv }~aon 11111J~.1~11~1I1L U11J 1111L1a1 1.7~11~1~~ 1iU111LL10~1YV VL1LrVW Vl 411 LIVYJalls ~.I1vb1GLi11J 1lG~YV vvvia considered, program implementation will not result in any environmental effects since most programs are aciministrative in nature. n\ T},a T~n„c;n~r F1PmPnt rnnt~inc cavPral nnliriPC aime~ at imnrnvina hrnicino cnnrlitinnc ~.~ 113V 11VNJlll6 LaV11aV1a~ VVaa~NaaaJ Vv~vaw Yva~vav~ ~~~~av~ r. •. ~l.rav...b ~v~..v. .a ~v..~.~.v...+. These policies will reverse existing adverse conditions. The analysis in this Initial Study '' -~ -m- - •~f _~. ~ snows inat wose programs wiin poteniiai inaireci environmeniai eiiecis wi~~ noi resuit ~n any significant or potentially significant effects. No mitigation is required for any environmental issue considered in this analysis. r:.. „Fe., ., ae,. cn l~~r:~t cn,~l~, .,,.y .,. ~a.a.a ~.,.,~~..,a ~~ ......... ,,...,., 2000-2005 Housing Element September, 2001 'C3 GI~ ~~ •=- C~ GI~ ~~ ~+ t- GI~ ~ - - ~ O C) Ql '' ~ ? 2 : 5 J' e~~n~~er~nN ~f GOVERNMENTS Main Office 8i8 West Seventh Street i~th Flnnr Los Angeles, California 9~017-3435 t (zs3) z96-i8oo f (2i3) z36-i8z5 wwwsca¢.ca.¢ov OlTicen: Rcsidrn[: Supemwr )on Mikels, Counry of San Bernardmo • Firs~ vice Residenc councilmember Hal Bernson. ios Angdes • Second Yice Presidem: Councdmember Ber Pcrry, Brca • Immediam Past Pmidmc Mryor Ro Tem Ron Ba[es. Los Alamicos Impvial Connry: Hank Kuiper, Imperlal County • David DhiOon. EI Crnvo ......a~~:: C... ...,... °•y:~_e:e n..~, Los Mgda Counry • Zev Yuoslavsky, Los Angeles Counry • Harry Sildwin. San Gabri<I •&uce Bartows. Cariros • George Bass, eell • Hal eemson, ios nngeies • tto'ovi uruexn, noumead • Gene Danids. Puamoune • lo Mne Darcy. Sanu Cluiu • Ruth Gdaneu. Ins Angdes • Enc Garcetu, Los Mgeles • R~y Grabinski, Long Beach • I+m~ Hahn, Los Mgeles •]anice Hahn, Los Mgela • Dee Hudison.Tornnce • Na¢ Holden. LosMgda • Sandra lacobs. El Segundo • I~wrcnce Kirkley. In2lewood • Honnie Lowenthal. Lone eeach • Kuth McCanhy. Downey • Cindy Miuikowski. Los Angdes • S~acey Murphy, eur6ank • Pam O'Comor, Sanu Moniu • Nick P~ch«o, Los ...I...~I..D.A~IIa rnaanonlK.t~nP.rna rM Angeles • Beamce Proo. rico (livera • Muk Ridley' Thomu, Los Ang<les • Ed Aeyn, Ins Mgda • Kuen Rosenthil, Claremon[ • Dick Sun(ord, Azusa ~ Tom Sykes. Wilnu~ • P+d Tilbot, .9hambra • Sidney Tyler, jc, Puadem •)«I Wachs, Los Mgdes • Dennis Wuhburn, Cilibasss ~)ack W<iss, Los Mgeles • Dennis P. Zine, Los Mgeles OnnQe County~ Chules Smiih, Onnge County • Ron Baces. Ws Alamltos • Aalph Baua. Huntington Beach • Ar~ Brown, Buma Puk • Lou Bone.Tustin • eiv~be~u Cowan. Cos~a i.iesa • Uenryn ue ung. I~guna Niguel • Ric6ard Dixon. I~Ice Forcu~ Ala Duke, 1~ Palma • Shirley McCncken, Auah<m • Bev 14rry. Bre~ • Tod Ridgeway. Newpon Beac6 Itivenide Counry: Bob Busmr, Riverside Com~y • Ron Loveridge. Riverside • Gmg Peeris. Cuhedral Ciry • Ron Robetts, Temecula • 7an Rudman, Corona • Cnuies'w'niee.'~wiorcm'vauey San lernudino Comry: Ion Mikds, San Bernudiao Com[y • Bill Alexander, Raacho ..:a c.~.i....,,, Gucia, Grmd Tenic< •vBob Hun~er, Yiaornlle • Gwenn Norion-Prrry, Chi`m Hills •)udith Yatles, San Bernudino Venmra Connry: Judy Mikels. Ymcura Counry • Glm Becena. Siml Valley • Donna De Paola. San Buemvmmra •7oniYoung. Port Hueneme R3.enide Counry 7tansporhuon Commi+aion: Robin lowe. Heme~ Ventun Counry 7kansporntioa Commiuion: BiII Davis, Simi VaLLey Ms. Laura Beck Associate Planner City of Santa Monica Planning Division 1685 Main Street, Room 212 Santa Monica, CA 90401 RE: Commerrts on the Initial Study / Negative Declaration for the City of Sarrta Monica 2000-2005 Housing Elemerrt Update - SCAG No. I 20010555 Dear Ms. Beck: Thank you for submitting the Initial Study / Negative Declaration for the City of SaMa Monica 2000-2005 Housing Elemerrt Update to SCAG for review and comment. As areawide clearinghouse for regionally significant projects, SCAG reviews the consistency of local plans, projects and programs with regional plans. This activity is based on SCAG's responsibilities as a regional planning organization pursuant to state and federal laws and regulations.- Guidance provided by these reviews is intended to assist local agencies and project sponsors to take actions that contribute to the attainment of regional goals and policies It is recognized that the purpose of the Projed considers the update of the City of Santa IVlonica I-lousing Elemeni (fiE). The NE sets forth the C~ty`s strategy to preserve and enhance the community's residential character, expand housing opportunities for all economic seciors, and provide guidance and direcc~ion for iocai govemmeM dec~sion- making in all matters relating to housing. SCAG has evaluated the HE for consistency with the Regional Comp~ehensive Plan and Guide (RCPG) and Regional Transportation Plan (RTP). The attached comments are meant to provide guidance for considering the proposed projed within the corrtext of our ~~.~.~~I ~~~I~ ~.~J .~~1:~.~~ 1"f~1:~_~~ ~LA/~A/~I~ r1/~'1I1 ~.~J f1Tl1 ..l'_L ____ L_ __'~!__~~_ ~~ywr~a~ yuai~ airc~ Nuacara. rvuu~ o~ ~~.r~~ s r«.rv ano rc i r, wrnc:n may oe appucaoie to your project, are outlined in the attachmerrt. If you have any questions regarding the attached comments, please contad me at (213) 236-1867. Thank you. Sincei~i , ~; ~~-~^„ ~~ V:/vv ~~~ ~ F ~ M.;S ITH, AICP enior Planne t..1 .................w..Iw1 ~....:.~... nnciyvvci~nncrna~ Rcv~cw ~ 1~, - ~ ~~ ~ ~ Pnn~eA nn RrryrleA Paoer 559-7/3/01 COMMENTS ON THE INITIAL STUDY 1 NEGATIVE DECLARATION FOR THE CITY OF LA SANTA MONICA 2000-2005 HOUSING ELEMENT UPDATE SCAG NO. 1 20010555 PROJECT DESCRIPTION The proposed Project considers the update of the City of Santa Monica Housing Element (HE). The HE sets forth the City's strategy to preserve and enhance the community's residential character. ex~and housina onoortunities for all economic sectors. and orovide guidance and direction for local govemment decision-making in all matters relating to ti~~ ~~~~~ ~ ~vu.~n ~a~. . INTRODUCTION TO SCAG REVIEW PROCESS The document that provides the primary reference for SCAG's proiect review activity is the Regional Comprehensive Plan and Guide (RCPG). The RCPG chapters fall into thrcc r~tcnnriac• rnra anrillarv anri hririna Tha rrnwfh MananAmant farlnntarl .li inA .~~~.,.. .,.,.....~.,...,.,. ......,.., .,....,......~, w,... ,,....~.... ...... ........,.. ...w....~.......,.., ~,,.....r...... .,,,..,.. 1994), Regional Transportation Plan (adopted April 2001), Air Quality (adopted October wAAC\ 1 1___~_I_.._ \l1f__1_ ^1____~_~~.~L /~J~~L~J \I~..~.~~L~~ Af1AA\ ~~J \Af~L~~ /'1..~I:L. iyy~J, naLaravus vvas~e ivianayernen~ ~au~~~CU ivvvC~nu~i iy~~+~, anu vva«r ~.tuan~y (adopted January 1995) chapters constitute the core chapters. These core chapters respond directly to federal and state planning requirements. The core chapters constitute the base on which local governments ensure consistency of their plans with applicable regional plans under CEQA. The Air Quality and Growth Management chapters contain hnth cnrp anrl anrillarv nnlir.iPC whir_h arP ciifferPntiatPCi in thP r.nmment nnrtinn ~f this __... __._ ~..~ ~.._...~.~ r_••_•__+ --..._.. ~._ ~..•-•-••-•~--- ••- °•- ---.....-••- r-•°-•• -• ---~- letter. The Regional Transportation Plan (RTP) constitutes the region's Transportation ni__ T~_ nrn .__i:_:.,_ _ ..a,.,~ :.,a.. a~.,. ~r~nn I~IQ(I. 1 fIC R 1 r~VIIli1CJ dIC IIIliU1FlVIQICU IIIW LIIC f~lrrV. Ancillary chapters are those on the Economy, Housing, Human Resources and Services, Finance, Open Space and Conservation, Water Resources, Energy, and Integrated Solid Waste Management. These chapters address important issues facing the region and may reflPCt ~ther reainnal nlans_ Ancillarv chaoters_ however_ do not contain actions or '-••--' -'••-• •-~•-••~• r-~..-• - -••-••---~ ----r----+ ---------~ -- ---- policies required of local government. Hence, they are entirely advisory and establish no new mandates or policies for the region. Bridge chapters inciude the 5trategy and impiementation chapfers, runciioning as iinks between the Core and Ancillary chapters of the RCPG. Each of the applicable policies related to the proposed project are identified by number and reproduced below in italics followed by SCAG staff comments regarding the consistency of the Project with those policies. CONSISTENCY WITH REGIONAL COMPREHENSIVE PLAN AND GUIDE POLICIES The Growth Management Chapter (GMC) of the Regional Comprehensive Plan and Guide contains a number of policies that are particularly applicable to the City of Santa Mnnir.a Hni icinn FIPmPnt 1 Inrlata ...........,. . ......_...~ _._..._... -r-~._. /~__._ /~__..1L ^i___~_.Y__a n_c-r-- t.wc wuwc~~ iwctndyC~nCrn rv--crC~ 3.01 The population, housing, and jotis forecasts, which are adopted by SGAG s Regional Council and that reflect local plans and policies, shall 6e used by SCAG in all phases of implementation and r~eview. 7!17 TL... ~:.~n:.n~ ~r~.~r~~ir~r .~r~i-/ I~~~fi~r~ ~f ~~~{~/i~ f.~~i/i4i~n iifi/i~i n~inl~rv~n nr~rl .7. v.~ i r ic u~ r rn i y, m ~a~ ~~n ~y, a~ ru rvt~acivi ~ v~ j.iu-/m. ra~.mu~~, ucnny ~r~cc~ r r~, a~ rt~ transportation systems shall be used by SCAG fo implement the region's growth poiicies. SCAG staff comments: The IS/ND suggests that the HE is a guide for housing within the Citv of Santa Monica . The HE qrovides for a strateqv to meet the housing needs of the City, and identifies specific programs to meet those needs. TF~c IC/Alll ic nnneic4on4 witF- thic nnro Rf'PC'~ nnlir~v ~ ~ ~a.. ~vi ~~v w vv~ w~.~av~ ~a ~~~u ~ u~w vv~ v~~v~ v~..vuv1 GMC POLICIES RELATED TO THE RCPG GOAL TO IMPROVE REGIONAL STANDARD OF LIVING The Growth Management goals to develop urban forms that enable individuals to spend Ieec inrnme nn hni icinn rne4 thaf minimi~A ni ~hlie anrl nri~atA riAValnnmant rnstc anr~ ~.,.,., ,~ ~....~ ~ ~... ..~ ~ ~ .......... .~ ..... ., .. ~.,.. . ~ ............, r,......., ,,.. ..,. r......,..... ...........r,.....,. .. .....,..., .,.. ... that enable firms to be competitive, strengthen the regional strategic goal to stimulate the ---~---~ ---------- T~-- --•-i••-a:-~ _1 al__ ,__~___J ___]_~1 C_ ~~I~L:~.~ L~ il~~ t~ll~...:.~~. reg~vnai ecvnvmy. i ne evawauvn vr [n~ ~r~~c~se~ ~~v~CCt ii~ iCiau~ii w uiC i~ii~wi~iy policies would be intended to guide efforts toward achievement of such goals and does not infer regional interference with local land use powers 3.04 Encourage local jurisdictions' efforts to achieve a balance between fhe types of inhe fhAV cAAk In affrar_t anrl hnucinn nrir_Ac ~....,. ...,,~ ........ ... ..... ..... ....... . ,.....,...~ ~,.......... 3.10 Support local jurisdictions' actions to minimize red tape and expedite the permitting process to maintain economic vitality and competitiveness. SCAG staff comments. The IS/ND for the HE acknowledges that the Housing Element identifies goals, strategies and programs that focuses on, among other things, promoting the construction of new housing within the City's regulatory framework, removing other constraints to housing development. This will help the City of Santa Monica minimize red tape and expedite the permitting process to maintain economic vitality and competitiveness. The IS/ND is supportive of this anciiiary KLNC~ poiicy. GMC POLICIES RELATED TO THE RCPG GOAL TO IMPROVE THE REGIONAL QUALITY OF LIFE The Growth Management goals to attain mobility and clean air goals and to develop ~ ,.~ ~ ,.~_ uman forms inai ennance quaii'ry oT nre, inai accommoaaie a aiversiry or uTe s`ryies, inai preserve open space and natural resources, and that are aesthetically pleasing and preserve the character of communities, enhance the regional strategic goal of maintaining the reQional pualitv of life. The evaluation~ of the proposed qroiect in relation to the following policies would be intended to provide direction for plan implementation, and rincc nn+ ~Ili ~rla fn raninnal manrlafac ........, ~ ..,. ..~....,.... .., ...~.... .... . ...... .,..,....... n ii n•-__-~ -~••:-=--- -~~ _,__~a:..-- -.Y_a_~ ~.- ~--_- :...:_~:_a:_.__ a_ _aa.Y_a ~_.._:~~ .s. i~ ~upp~i[ pruvis~vns dnu ~ncei~e-ve~ crCV~~u uy ruca~ ~wwu-ci-uns w auiace n~usmy growfh in job rich subregions and job growth in housing subregions. SCAG staff comments. Implementation of the various strategies and programs identified in the IS/ND, may help to stimulate housing growth in the City of Santa Mnnira ThP IS/NI~ is ciinnnrtivP nf this anr_illarv RCP~ n~lir.v ..._..._~. ..._ ._..-- •- --rr-•°-- -. _..._ ~.._...~•~ • --• - r-••-~- ~ A~f C..........- '..{:..... .. ...,I l......! . '...J:..~:...,..~ .. ...J ..f .J....i....i.,.. J. /L C11liVU/dyC CJ~IJU!!l~ lJ! ~JlV~./VJCU lVliQ! JCI%IJUItiIlV/IJ f,JlVtJ.~lOI%!J A!I!lGCJ Q( UGJ!l.JIIlIItJ. land uses which encourage the use of transit and fhus reduce the need for roaclway expansion, recluce tne number of auio trips ancl venicie miies traveieci, and creafe opportunities for residents to walk and bike. 3. 9 7 Suooort and encouraoe seftlement oattems. which contain a ranoe of unban ---- --,-.-- - - - -- -„- -- _ . . ., densities. 3.98 Encourage planned development in locations least likely to cause adverse environmental impact. GMC POLICIES RELATED TO THE RCPG GOAL TO PROVIDE SOCIAL, POLITICA AND CULTURAL EQUITY The Growth Management Goal to develop urban forms that avoid economic and social ~ _, _, _,_. poiarizaiion promoies ine regionai siraiegic goai or minimizing sociai ana geog~aprnc disparities and of reaching equity among all segments of society. The evaluation of the proposed project in relation to the policy stated below is intended guide direction for the accomplishment of this goal, and does not infer regional mandates and interference with local land use powers. 3.24 Encourage efforts of local jurisdictions in the implemenfation of programs that increase the supply and quality of hous~ng and prov-de afforclab~e housing as evaluafed in the Regional Housing Needs Assessment. SCAG staff r.omments_ The IS/ND identifies housina needs of the Citv of La Santa --- -- ----~- -------------- ---- ----- --------- ------~ ---- - --- - -, Monica based on SCAG's Regional Housing Needs Assessment (RHNA) ..Lh...d..l.v.~.v fl~ .~ ~~ .~~ ~r~r~e~~l ~r~rl re~.~l1~~~4i~~ ~~ h~~ ~e~ir~~ ~~ni~c~ On~e '1 Q ~f 4lho i i icu w~v~vyy. vuc tv a~ ~ a~~ca~ a~ ~u i canv~.auv~ i v~ i ivu~ii iy u~ n~~, ~ ayc ~.~ vi u ~c IS/ND, details the RHNA allocations by income category for the period 1998-2005. i here is a need for 1,2u~ resideniiai uniis for 'tne ~i'ry oT ~ania nnonica. The IS/ND is supportive of this ancillary RCPG policy. 3_27 Sunoort local iurisdictions and other service nrr~viders in their efforts to develoa sustainable communifies and provide, equally to al! members of society, .~~.r.enc.ihle ~nrl n#nnti~in onniinnc e~inh ~e• niihlin nrJun~finn hnr~einn hn~lth ~+~ro Oli1.rGJJIIJIG Qlllf riIIC-iVI/Y~i a7v~r~vvV ~uv~i fAV. ,./MNIIV VMYVVNVII~ ~~vvvnra~~ r~vu~ui vaa~v~ social services, r~creational facilities, law enforcement, and fi~ protection. CONCLUSIONS 1. As noted in the staff comments, the IS/ND for the Housing Element for the City of C~n+~ HAnnica ic enncictant with nr c~ innnrtc cnmP nf thp rnra anr~ anrillarv nnliciPS in ....,.~ ~..,. .....,~...,... .., ....,...,......... ..._.. ... .....rr-.._ __..._ _. _..- --. _ _.._ _.._..._. ~ r-••-•-- •.. the Regional Comprehensive Plan and Guide. SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA ASSOCIATION OF GOVERNMENTS Ro/es and Authorities THE SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA ASSOCIATION OF GOVERNMENTS (SCAG) is a Joint Powers Agency established under California Govemment Code Section 6502 et seq. Under federal and state law, SCAG is designated as a Council of Govemments (COG), a Regional Transportation Planning Agency (RTPA), and a Metropolitan Planning Organization (MPO). SCAG's mandated roles and responsibilities include the following: SCAG is designated by the federal govemment as the Region's Metropolitan P/anning Organization and mandated to maintain a continuing, cooperative, and comprehensive transportation planning process resulting in a Regional Transportation Plan and a Regional Transportation Improvement Program pursuant to 23 U.S.C. '134, 49 U.S.C. '5301 et seq., 23 C.F.R. '450, and 49 C.F.R. '613. SCAG is also the designated Regiona! Transportation P/anning Agency, and as such is responsible for both preparation of the Regional Transportation Plan (RTP) and Regional Transportation Improvement Program (RTIP) under Califomia Govemment Code Section 65080 and 65082 respectively. SCAG is responsible for developing the demographic projections and the integrated land use, housing, employment, and transportation programs, measures, and strategies portions of the South Coast Air Quality Management Plan, pursuant to Califomia Health and Safety Code Section 40460(b)-(c). SCAG is also designated under 42 U.S.C. '7504(a) as a Co-Lead Agency for air quality planning for the Central Coast and Southeast Desert Air Basin District. SCAG is responsible under the Federal Clean Air Act for determining Conformity of Projects, Plans and Programs to the State Implementation Plan, pursuant to 42 U.S.C. '7506. Pursuant to Califomia Govemment Code Section 65089.2, SCAG is responsible for reviewing all Congestion Management P/ans (CMPs) for consistency with regiona! transportation plans required by Section 65080 of the Govemment Code. SCAG must also evaluate the consistency and compatibility of such programs within the region. SCAG is the authorized regional agency for Inter-Govemmenta! Review of Programs proposed for federal financial assistance and direct development activities, pursuant to Presidential Executive Order 12,372 (replacing A-95 Review). SCAG reviews, pursuant to Public Resources Code Sections 21083 and 21087, Environmental Impacts Reports of projects of regional significance for consistency with regional plans [Califomia Environmental Quality Act Guidelines Sections 15206 and 15125(b)]. Pursuant to 33 U.S.C. '1288(a)(2) (Section 208 of the Federal Water Pollution Control Act), SCAG is the authorized A~+eawide Waste Treatment Management Planning Agency. SCAG is responsible for preparation of the Regional Housing Needs Assessment, pursuant to Califomia Govemment Code Section 65584(a). SCAG is responsible (with the Association of Bay Area Govemments, the Sacramento Area Council of Govemments, and the Association of Monterey Bay Area Govemments) for preparing the Southem k Califomia Hazardous Waste Management Plan pursuant to Califomia Health and Safety Code Section 25135.3. Revised July 2001 itv ~v. ~r~iv~ ~ ~. LOS ANGELES, CA 90012 TEL: (213) 897-6696 ATSS: 8- 647-6696 FAX: (213) 897-6317 Ms. Laura Beck City of Santa Monica Community Development Departme~nt 1685 Main St., Room 212 Santa Monica, CA 90401 Dear Ms. BecJc: October 30, 2001 IGR/CEQA cs/Ol 104 NEG DEC City of Santa Monica 2000-2005 Housing Element Citywide Vic. LA-1/10-VAR SCH # 2001101016 Thank you for including the California Departmcnt of Transportation in the er~vironm~tal review process for the above-mentianed program document. Based on the information received, we have the foilowing comments: We recommend the implero~tation of fair-share fimding an a pro rata basis to be uset~ for necessary transportation mitigation projects resulting from trips gaierated from fut~e developments. Any work to be performed within the State Right-of-way will need an Encxoachment Permit from the California Deparhnent of Transportarion. ~ Residential dwelling units constructed adjacent to an existing freeway may require noise attenuation barriers or azchitectural design elem~ts to reduce noise impacts from freeway traffic. We recommend that construdion related truck trips ao State Ivghways be limited to off-peak commute periods. Transport of oversize or overweight vehicles ~ State highways will need a Transportation Permit from the Califarnia Departnient of Transportation. If you have any questians regarding our respanse, refer to our internal IGR/CEQA Record # cs/011024, and please do not hesitate to contact me at (213) 897-4429. Sincerely, STEPHEN BUSWELL IGR/CEQA Program Manager cc: Mr. Scott Morgan, State Clearinghouse z~1: ':~ 1~ S' ~Q~ ~0. ~ , ~ ,;.1! ~ . . . -~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~n CITY OF SANTA MONICA DRAFT HOUSING ELEMENT 2000-2005 November 9, 2001 T'he City of Santa Monica prepared a draft Negative Declaration for the Draft Housing Element 2000-2005. The Draft Negative Declaration circulated for a 30-day public review period beginning on October l, 2001 and ending on October 30, 2001. T'he City received two letters commenting on the Draft Negative Declaration: 1. Southern California Association of Governments. October 18, 2001 2. California Department of Transportation, Region 7. October 30, 2001 This document summarizes the comments received from these agencies and provides responses to those comments. Copies of the comment letters are attached. None of the comments nor responses requires that any change be made to the Initial Study/Negative Declaration dated September 28, 2001. 1. Southern California Association of Governments. October 18, 2001 Comment ~ In the comment letter, staff of the Southern Califomia Association of Governments (SCAG) identifies goals and policies contained in the Regional Comprehensive Plan and Guide that apply to the project. The letter notes that the Initial Study/Negative Declaration for the Housing Element is consistent with or supports the core and ancillary policies noted in SCAG's letter. Response The comment is acknowledged. No further response is required. 2. California Department of Transportatioo, Region 7. October 30, 2001 Comment 1 Caltrans recommends implementation of fair-share funding on a pro rata basis for transportation improvements. Response 1 On an individual project basis, the City collects transportation mitigation fees or requires improvements to mitigate associated transportation system impacts. Housing Element ?000-1045 Negative Declaration Responses to Comments Response 2 Adoption and implementation of Housing Element goals, policies, and programs will not involve any work within a State right-of-way. Comment 3 Dwelling units adjacent to an existing freeway may require some form of noise attenuation to reduce impacts from freeway noise. Response 3 On an individual project basis, the City assesses and will continue to assess potential project impacts and the need to provide noise mitigation. Comment 4 ~ Caltrans recommends that construction-related truck trips on State highways be limited to off-peak commute hours. Response 4 On an individual project basis, the City assesses and will continue to assess construction- related impacts and will require mitigation as needed. The City supports Caltrans' goal to minimize truck trips during peak commute hours. t Housing Element 2000-2005 Negative Declaration -' Responses to Comments