3B Public Hearing 2007 0904 - Laserfiche WebLink

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Implementation of the Strategy would result in an increase in population and therefore greater usage of common and potentially hazardous household cleaners, pesticides and herbicides to maintain landscape and control pests, as well as a greater need for vehicle maintenance. There will also be an increase in the development of potentially hazardous infrastructure such as natural gas pipelines, storage of potentially hazardous chemicals in a commercial or retail setting, additional use of cleaning chemicals, as well as disposal of used motor oil, paint and batteries with project implementation. Two schools, Washington Elementary and St. Leander School, exist within the TOD Strategy area, therefore, any potential for exposure to hazardous emissions or hazardous waste in the Strategy area as a result of project implementation is considered a potentially significant impact. Existing General Plan policies 33.04, 33.05 and 33.09 are aimed at reducing the risks associated with accidental release of chemicals, waste or other hazardous materials. These policies call for preparedness and effective response that would minimize the adverse effects associated with an upset or accident involving the release of hazardous materials. Table 2-1, Summary of Impacts and Mitigation Measures, on Page 2-5 of the DEIR, states that the TOD Strategy incorporates General Plan policies and Mitigation measures to reduce potential hazardous materials impacts to a less-than-significant level. Hydrology and Water Quality The potential impacts to water quality as a result of implementation of the TOD Strategy are the same impacts anticipated under the General Plan. Additional vehicle traffic could lead to additional motor oil, coolant, and automotive products potentially leaking onto road surfaces or accumulating in roadside gutters. The use of solvents, lawn chemicals, paint, petroleum products, metals and other materials could potentially accumulate in parking lots and on other paved surfaces. All of these materials may be carried to streams and the Bay by surface runoff during rainstorms. The San Leandro General Plan includes several policies and actions to mitigate the potential impacts of development on water quality. For example, Policy 32.01 calls for continued implementation of water pollution control measures by businesses, contractors, and public agencies that emphasize Best Managements Practices (BMPs) aimed at reducing pollution from urban runoff. Policy 32.04 requires monitoring of water quality in San Leandro waterways to evaluate the progress of local clean water programs and identify the necessary steps for improvement. Supporting Action 32.01-A requires Stormwater Pollution Prevention Plans (SWPPPs) for projects that exceed 1 acre in size and ensures that such projects include appropriate measures (BMPs) to minimize the potential for water pollution. In Table 2-1, Summary of Impacts and Mitigation Measures, on Page 2-5 of the DEIR, it states that the TOD Strategy incorporates General Plan policies and Mitigation measures to reduce potential hydrology and water quality impacts to a less-than-significant level. Land Use Implementation ofthe TOD Strategy would encourage a change on most of the vacant and underutilized parcels in the Strategy Area to higher-density mixed-use and residential land uses. While these uses would represent a change in the intensity of uses within the study area, the proposed uses would be compatible with the existing mix of residential and commercial uses that