3B Public Hearing 2007 0904 - Laserfiche WebLink

Home

currently defines the study area and would generally be consistent with the City's General Plan. The TOD Strategy was developed to comply with and implement the overall vision of the General Plan in the Downtown area. Where new land uses are introduced to the Study Area that are not consistent with the General Plan, General Plan amendments would be required to ensure consistency between the TOD Strategy and the General Plan, as is required by State law. The General Plan land use map and applicable sections of text will be amended regarding density allowance and permitted land uses to allow for TOD Strategy implementation. Additionally, amendments to the City's Zoning Map and Zoning Code would be required for Articles 3 (Definitions), 5 (R Residential Districts), 6 (C Commercial, P Professional, NA North Area, and SA South Area Districts), 17 (Off-Street Parking and Loading Regulations), and 25 (Site Plan Approval). 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 land use impacts to a less-than-significant level. Therefore, the TOD Strategy would have a less-than-significant impact on land uses in the Study Area, with adherence to existing General Plan policies and mitigation measures, as well as those identified in the Master List of the Strategy. Noise Residences and businesses in the vicinity of development allowed by the TOD Strategy could be exposed to significant construction-related vibration during the excavation and foundation work associated with projects implementing the strategy. Appropriate mitigation would be required by the City prior to construction activity to reduce vibration, such as avoiding impact pile driving and using drilled piles where possible since they cause lower vibration levels. The use of vibratory rollers and tampers near sensitive areas would also be avoided. With adherence to General Plan EIR Mitigation Measure L5 and TOD Strategy EIR Mitigation Measures NOI-1a and NOI-1 b, potentially significant construction-related noise impacts would be reduced to a less-than-significant level. Significant, unavoidable noise impacts could occur by exposing persons to noise levels in excess of local or other agency noise standards at residential land uses built adjacent to the BART and Union Pacific Railroad (UPRR) lines, especially on exterior balconies. Buildings should be designed so that exterior balconies are physically shielded from the BART and UPRR lines, however, some exposure to excessive noise levels could still occur, even with implementation of General Plan Policies 35.01, 35.06 and 36.03, and these would be significant and unavoidable noise impacts. A Statement of Overriding Considerations will be required prior to City Council adoption. Additionally, development within the TOD Strategy area could result in an increase in ambient noise levels on both a temporary or periodic basis. With implementation of General Plan Policies 35.02, 35.05, 35.06, 35.07 and 36.03, and General Plan EIR Mitigation Measures L5, potentially significant noise impacts would be reduced to a less-than-significant level.