AgdaPkt 2014-07-28 Closed, Special and Joint SA

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8.B. - Page 93 residences as shown in Figure 4.2 -2 of the Draft EIR (p. 36), would reduce the Project's noise impacts but not to less than significant levels. In accordance with CEQA Guidelines Section 15093, the Planning Commission must make a Statement of Overriding Considerations as discussed in Attachment 1. Under CEQA, noise measurements of existing conditions are taken to establish the baseline noise conditions of a project site and vicinity. It is against this baseline that anticipated project and cumulative noise impacts are measured to determine the level of impact significance on the environment. It should be noted that at the time the noise readings were taken, the Montessori preschool was in session and had a student enrollment of 10 students. Under CEQA, baseline noise readings can only take into account the existing noise conditions at the time the noise readings are taken and does not factor in the maximum allowable enrollment of the Montessori preschool (40 students) as part of the baseline determination. Therefore, it is conceivable that if the Montessori preschool was at their maximum allowable student enrollment of 40 students at the time the noise readings were taken, baseline noise readings would have been much higher than what was actually measured with 10 students, and the significance of the Project's potential noise impacts would be less compared to the noise impacts that have been identified for the Project. Summary of Project Alternatives. The Draft EIR analyzed three alternatives and a No Project Alternative as follows: 1. No Project Alternative: In accordance with CEQA Guidelines Section 15126(d)(4), the Final EIR evaluated a No Project Alternative (Summary section on p. 3 and Section 7.2 on p. 93 of the Draft EIR), which shall address both the existing conditions, as well as what would be reasonably expected to occur in the foreseeable future if the Project is not approved, based on current plans and consistent with available infrastructure and community services. Two scenarios were evaluated under the No Project Alternative: The No Development Scenario and the Development Under Existing Zoning Scenario. Under the No Development Scenario, no new development would occur on the project site, the church and Montessori Preschool would continue to operate on the site, and there would be no new environmental impacts. Under the Development Under Existing Zoning Scenario, because existing development on the project site includes a vacant classroom building and schools are permitted on the property with approval of a Use Permit, it is reasonably foreseeable that a school could be operated on the site in the future, as evidenced by the expiration of the previously approved school, Woodside Hills Christian Academy (Project No. UP2007 -29), the Montessori Preschool currently operating onsite with an approved Use Permit (Project No. UP2011 -28), and the historical use of the property as a school site. In addition, the operation of a school in the future on the project site could result in a significant unavoidable noise impact similar to the Project's noise impacts as described in the EIR. Staff recommends that the Planning Commission reject this alternative as infeasible because it is not likely to avoid or substantially lessen the Project's sole significant and unavoidable impact (noise), and it would not achieve the City's and the Project Applicants' objectives for the Project.