Reso PC17-07 0032 PC Reso Approving CEQA - 860 Charter St

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LSA ASSOCIATES, INC. SEPTEMBER 2016 ROCKETSHIP REDWOOD CITY ELEMENTARY SCHOOL PROJECT INITIAL STUDY/ MITIGATED NEGATIVE DECLARATION P:\RWC1401B Rocketship School\PRODUCTS\IS-MND\Public\Rocketship Public Review 09-29-16.docx (09/29/16) PUBLIC REVIEW DRAFT 31 The incremental daily emission increase in reactive organic gases (ROG) and nitrogen oxides (NOx) (two precursors of ozone) and particulate matter (PM10 and PM2.5) associ- ated with buildout of the proposed project are identified in Table 2. The BAAQMD has established thresholds of significance for ozone precursors and PM2.5 of 54 pounds per day, and a threshold of 82 pounds per day for PM10. As shown in Table 2, emissions from the project would not exceed these thresholds of significance; the impacts to air quality from criteria air pollutant and precursor emissions related to project operations would be less than significant. The proposed project would not violate any air quality standard or contribute substantially to an existing or projected air quality violation. The emission estimates above do not include potential soil vapor emissions, which are existing and would not be exacerbated by this project. As described in Chapter I, Project Description, the project includes operation of a passive sub-slab depressurization system which is designed such that VOCs would be captured and discharged to ambient outdoor air. In the event that indoor air sampling and sub-slab monitoring indicates that the passive system is not effective (i.e., indoor air concentrations of VOCs exceed acceptable levels), the system would be converted to an active system. The difference between the passive and active systems is that an active system would involve installation of exhaust fans to force the vapors out through the existing sub-slab depressurization system. This active air flow would expand the capture area of the sub-slab perforated pipes. The active system would involve the installation and continuous operation of 120 volt exhaust fans at each of four roof vent locations. The emissions associated with the soil vapor extraction may require a permit to operate by the BAAQMD. The project applicant will consult the BAAQMD Permit Handbook and Air District staff to determine disclosure requirements and applicable fees. Best Available Control Technology would be implemented as required for permitting under BAAQMD rules and regulations. c) Result in a cumulatively considerable net increase of any criteria pollutant for which the project region is non-attainment under an applicable federal or State ambient air quality standard (including releasing emissions which exceed quantitative thresholds for ozone precursors)? (Less-Than-Significant Impact) CEQA defines a cumulative impact as two or more individual effects, which when considered together, are considerable or which compound or increase other environmental impacts. According to the BAAQMD, air pollution is largely a cumulative impact. No single project is sufficient in size, by itself, to result in non-attainment of ambient air quality standards. Instead, a project’s individual emissions contribute to existing cumulatively significant adverse air quality impacts. Therefore, if daily average or annual emissions of operational-related criteria air pollutants exceed any applicable Table 2: Project Regional Emissions Emissions in Pounds Per Day Reactive Organic Gases Nitrogen Oxides PM10 PM2.5 Project Emissions 4.3 6.8 3.7 1.1 BAAQMD Standard 54.0 54.0 82.0 54.0 Exceed?No No No No Emissions in Tons Per Year Project Emissions 0.6 0.9 0.5 0.1 BAAQMD Standard 10.0 10.0 15.0 10.0 Exceed?No No No No Note: Regional project emissions were calculated with an assumed student enrollment of 600. The project has since been revised to reduce the maximum enrollment capacity to 480 students. Therefore, the calculations overestimate project emissions associated with vehicle trips and the data presented above is a conservative estimate. Source: LSA Associates, Inc., 2014. ATTY/RESO.0032/PC RESO APPROVING CEQA - 860 CHARTER ST. EXHIBIT A REV: 06-15-17 PR Page 39 of 124