Reso PC15-01 PC Reso (3051 ) to Adopt Initial Study-Mitigated Negative Declaration - La Palma

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3.0 Environmental Impact Checklist the URBEMIS program and off-model GHG estimates.Projects below the applicable screening criteria would not exceed the operational threshold of 1,100 metric tons of carbon dioxide equivalent per year of GHG. Construction GHG emissions would occur during construction from the use of construction equipment. Emissions would occur over the 16-month construction period,but due to the small size of the project, would be minimal and less than significant. Operation The project meets the screening criteria for operational impacts because it is well below the GHG screening threshold of 56 single family dwelling units. The Iong-term occupancy of the project homes would generate GHG primarily through electricity demand and use and generation of vehicle trips. The project would include efforts to reduce the project's greenhouse gas emissions by reducing electricity demand and reducing vehicle trips and miles. The proposed project would conform to the City's General Plan and other policies to reduce vehicle trips and miles traveled, and encourage automobile alternative modes of transportation(e.g., public transit,walking and bicycling). The site is within two blocks of Woodside Road and is in close proximity to transit and services. The project's operational GHG impacts would be less than significant. Although GHG emissions generated by the project would cumulatively contribute to global climate change,to determine whether the proposed project would have a significant impact on global climate change is speculative,particularly given the fact that there are no existing numerical thresholds to determine an impact. However,in an effort to make a good faith effort at disclosing environmental impacts and to conform with the CEQA Guidelines [§16064(b)], it is the City's position that,based on the nature and size of this project, its location within an established urban area served by existing infrastructure(rather than a greenfield site), the transit oriented nature of the project's nominal percentage increase in GHG emissions and the measures included in the project to reduce vehicle use (e.g.proximity to transit and neighborhood services),the proposed project would not impede the state's ability to reach the emission reduction limits/standards set forth by the State of California by Executive Order 5-3- 05 and AB 32.Over the long term,the expectation from regional planning agencies is that intensifying land uses near transit will lead to reduced dependence on the automobile and increased transit ridership. For these reasons, this project would not make a cumulatively considerable contribution to global climate change associated with GHG emissions. Impacts are less than significant and no mitigation is required. La Palma Subdivision Project Final Initial Study/Mitigated Negative Declaration 37