Reso 2010-035 - Laserfiche WebLink

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POTENTIALLY' ' POTENTIALLY SIGNIFICANT LESS THAN ISSUES SIGNIFICANT UNLESS SIGNIFICANT IMP CT SOURCES ISSUES MITIGATION IMPAC"I' INCORPORATED d• Interfere substantially with the movement of any X 1, 2 native resident or migratory fish or wildlife species or with established native resident or migratory wildlife corridors, or impede the use of native wildlife nursery sites? e• Conflict with any local policies or ordinances X 1, 2 protecting biological resources, such as a tree preservation policy or ordinance? f. Conflict with the provisions of an adopted Habitat X 1, 2 Conservation Plan, Natural Community Conservation Plan or other approved local, regional, or state habitat conservation plan? EXPLANATION: a) The updated Housing Element does not propose any actions that would directly have any effect on lands designated for the protection of biological or natural resources. These lands include the shoreline marshland, the regional park at Oyster Bay, and the undeveloped areas east of the city in the sphere of influence. Almost all of the housing sites identified in the Element are infill properties where natural conditions were disturbed many years ago. Impacts on candidate, sensitive, and special status species were analyzed in the General Plan EIR and the TOD Strategy EIR. The General Plan includes several policies to mitigate potential impacts, including Policy 26.01 which promotes the long-term conservation of the city's wetlands, grasslands, and riparian areas, and Policy 26.02 which requires measures to mitigate the impacts of development on plant and animal habitat. Action 26.04-A requires biological assessments for development in areas where special status species may be present. The Housing Element is consistent with these policy directives and would result in no additional or previously unanticipated impacts. b) Five of the housing sites are adjacent to San Leandro Creek. These sites are already designated for residential development by the San Leandro General Plan, and the potential impacts of their development on the creek ecosystem was analyzed in the General Plan EIR and in the TOD Strategy EIR. The General Plan includes policies to enhance riparian habitat, restore the natural qualities of the creek, and promote long-term creek conservation (see Policies 25.03 and 25.05). No new or increased impact will result from adopting the Housing Element. Any specific development proposals on Housing Opportunity Sites 3, 4, 28, 31, and 80 would be subject to subsequent environmental review, and could potentially include site-specific measures to address riparian impacts. None of the other housing sites is located in a riparian area. c) None of the housing sites are located in wetland areas. Thus, adoption of the Housing Element would not have a substantial adverse effect on wetlands. No direct removal, filling, or hydrologic interruption is proposed. General Plan policies 26.01 and 26.05 specifically address wetlands protection. d) Adopting the General Plan will not by itself interfere with the movement of any native resident or migratory fish or wildlife species or wildlife corridors, or impede the use of native wildlife nursery sites. The housing sites are all located within urbanized areas. The potential for such impacts was previously evaluated in the General Plan EIR and the TOD Strategy EIR and was determined to be less than significant. No new or increased impact will result from adopting the Housing Element. e) Adoption of the Housing Element will not result in conflicts with any local tree protection ordinances and will likely result in a net increase in tree cover, as the properties proposed for housing are typically vacant sites with minimal vegetation, or underutilized commercial properties that are largely impervious. There are no conflicts with local policies or ordinances protecting biological resources associated with the project. f) The Housing Element does not conflict with any habitat conservation plan or natural community conservation plan. There are no housing sites within the area covered by the Shoreline Marshlands Enhancement Program. Housing Element Initial Study and Negative Declaration 15 February 2010