AgdaPkt 2013-03-11 - Laserfiche WebLink

Browse Search

7.A. - Page 403 studied for another five years and there will still be differences in professional opinion, which is fine, so long as it has substantial evidence to support that opinion. Chair Schmidt asked about Mr. Dombroski's statement about the fifth error in his letter. Mr. Carter stated the fifth issue was part of the underestimation of the potential intersection impacts. He stated that in the response to that letter, the long-term and near-term impacts were combined into one issue so in actuality Staff did respond to the fifth error. Chair Schmidt noted Mr. Babcock's statement that 16 got kicked back. He asked if Costco could have done 16 at that time. Mr. Lyon stated the EIR was certified with the 16. The Use Permit for the project limited it to 12. He stated Costco could have come back to expand 16 without the need for additional environmental analysis. The request to expand to 20 is what warranted additional environmental analysis. Either 16 or 20 would require additional consideration of the Use Permit. Chair Schmidt asked if traffic analysis was based on estimates or observation. Mr. Lyon stated there are often two counts where vehicles drive over an air tube so there is that tally, and there is an industry technique of people physically observing and doing counts. Chair Schmidt asked about the mentioning of the other Costcos. Ms. Hennum stated that other Costco information was based on vehicle counts at those locations so they are not estimates. Chair Schmidt asked if there were observations as well. Ms. Hennum replied observations and data collection in the field were both done. Chair Schmidt noted that Costco chose to double the amount of gallons based on the Staff's request. Mr. Lyon replied that when the EIR was conducted previously, it identified a throughput of 9 million gallons a year. Through its process the Regional Air Quality board allowed for a permit up to 28 million given the air quality conditions that exist in this region. Costco's position was that they were under the threshold and could do the analysis with that, so the City did traffic counts at a sales volume of 28 million and that overstated traffic volumes. He stated in order to be conservative but still be accurate, Costco doubled existing sales volume to 18 million, which provided a conservative estimate but was accurate. Chair Schmidt stated that there is a lot of focus on improving the area within the Costco area and the road traffic outside of Costco may not be getting enough attention. He stated life may get better for Costco with the additional pumps but it may not get better for Middlefield. He stated he is not against adding pumps at Costco but is not comfortable with 20. Page 11 of 21