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Public Hearing on the Kaiser Medical Center Project May 3, 2010 pg. 5 leg of the intersection to provide two left -turn lanes, one through lane and one shared -through - right lane on the southbound approach (as well as bike lanes in both directions in accordance with the San Leandro Bicycle and Pedestrian Master Plan). With such widening, the southbound left -turn queue could be accommodated within the storage capacity of the two left turn lanes, and upstream traffic operations along Merced Street would not be adversely affected. Widening Merced Street to accommodate these improvements would require the acquisition of additional right-of-way, particularly at the property know as the Foundry site. Acquiring this additional right-of-way cannot be guaranteed due to the presence and potential impacts to existing businesses and as such, with implementation of the mixed-use retail component of the project, impacts to the Republic Avenue/ Merced Street intersection would be significant and unavoidable. Greenhouse Gas Emissions Additional public comment has suggested that the topic of greenhouse gas emissions as presented in the EIR has not been fully analyzed and addressed. Specifically, comments have suggested that the greenhouse gas mitigation measures are not specific enough, that additional measures are feasible, and that elements of these recommended mitigation measures are improperly deferred to a later date. Staff Recommendations Staff has reviewed these comments and believes that the analysis of greenhouse gas emissions as presented in the EIR is complete, comprehensive and thorough. The analysis of greenhouse gas emissions has been prepared using the computer tools and methodology as recommended by the Bay Area Air Quality Management District. A key mitigation measure identified in the EIR to reduce air quality emission and greenhouse gasses is implementation of a Transportation Demand Management (TDM) program designed to achieve a 10 percent to 15 percent reduction in drive -alone, single occupant vehicles. Numerous specific implementation strategies are outlined under this program, including establishment of a shuttle system between the Medical Center and the San Leandro BART station. The effectiveness of this program is to be measured and monitored using an annual survey of Medical Center employees. Additional greenhouse gas emission reductions will be achieved through Kaiser's implementation of numerous "Green Guidelines for Health Care" initiatives that are part of Kaiser's proposed development plans. Only when a specific development proposal has been made for the mixed-use retail component of the project, can the details of a greenhouse gas emissions reduction strategy be fully developed for that portion of the project. As indicated in numerous places in the EIR, subsequent environmental analysis will be required of any such future mixed-use retail project, including a detailed greenhouse gas reduction strategy specifically tailored to that project. Economic Impacts / Blight Public comments have suggested the potential that approval of the General Plan amendment and re -zoning of the northerly portion of the project site for mixed-use retail development might negatively impact existing retail centers and may result in such severe economic impacts at Bayfair Center and other existing San Leandro retail areas as to result in blight. This issue was also raised as part of the public comments on the Draft EIR.