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

Browse Search

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 66 increases in flooding, and Program PS-22 states that the City will consult with other local govern- ments to address climate change.87 Similarly, Implementing Strategy 9.3A of the San Mateo County General Plan states that the County will partner with local jurisdictions, as well as regional and Statewide agencies, to develop a comprehensive adaptation plan to address sea level rise for all areas within the County, both incorporated and unincorporated.88 These programs indicate that the City and County will work collaboratively to mitigate the impacts of sea level rise. Therefore, the potential of the proposed project to expose people or structures to risk as a result of sea level rise is less-than- significant. j) Inundation by seiche, tsunami, or mudflow? (Less-Than-Significant Impact) The project site and surrounding areas are flat or gently sloped, and the nearest slopes that would be subject to mudflows, which are a type of landslide, are the hills located over 2 miles west of the project site. Therefore, the potential of the proposed project to expose people or structures to inundation by mudflow is less than significant. The project site is not located within a mapped tsunami inundation area for Redwood City.89 A tsunami generated in the Pacific Ocean would enter the Bay at the Golden Gate Bridge. The energy of a tsunami that enters the Bay would dissipate with distance. Redwood City is located approximately 25 miles south of the Golden Gate Bridge and, at this distance, the risk posed by a tsunami to Redwood City is considered low.90,91 Therefore, the potential of the proposed project to expose people or structures to inundation by tsunami is less than significant. A seiche is the oscillation of a body of water at its natural period. Seiches occur most frequently in enclosed or semi-enclosed basins such as lakes, bays, or harbors and may be triggered by strong winds, changes in atmospheric pressure, earthquakes, tsunami, or tides. Triggering forces that set off a seiche are most effective if they operate at specific frequencies relative to the size of an enclosed basin. Due to the basin geometry and dimensions of the Bay, seiches pose a negligible hazard to the San Francisco Bay area.92 The project site is not located within the Bayfront area of Redwood City, which is the only area in Redwood City with the potential to be impacted by a seiche in the Bay.93 The nearest lake or reservoir is Lower Emerald Lake, located approximately 3 miles southwest of the project site. The project site is not located within the inundation zone of this lake or within the 87 Redwood City, City of, 2010. Redwood City General Plan - Public Safety Element. 88 San Mateo, County of, 2013. San Mateo County General Plan – Energy and Climate Change Element. 89 California Emergency Management Agency, 2009. Tsunami Inundation Map for Emergency Planning, Redwood Point Quadrangle/Palo Alto Quadrangle. June 15. 90 Redwood City, City of, 2010. Redwood City General Plan - Public Safety Element. 91 Redwood City, City of, 2010. Redwood City New General Plan, Draft Environmental Impact Report. Section 4.8 Hydrology and Water Quality. May. 92 Borrero, Jose, et al., 2006. Numerical Modeling of Tsunami Effects at Marine Oil Terminals in San Francisco Bay. Report for the Marine Facilities Division of the Californian State Lands Commission, June 8. 93 Redwood City, City of, 2010. Redwood City New General Plan, Draft Environmental Impact Report. Section 4.8 Hydrology and Water Quality. May. ATTY/RESO.0032/PC RESO APPROVING CEQA - 860 CHARTER ST. EXHIBIT A REV: 06-15-17 PR Page 74 of 124