2019-050 -Adopting Local CEQA Guidelines

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Local Guidelines for Implementing the California Environmental Quality Act (2019) ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT REPORT environment. Growth-inducing impacts may include the estimated energy consumption of growth induced by the project; (k) A discussion of any significant, reasonably anticipated future developments and the cumulative effects of all proposed and anticipated action as discussed in Local Guidelines Section 7.24; (l) In certain situations, a regional analysis should be completed for certain impacts, such as air quality; (m) A discussion of any economic or social effects, to the extent that they cause, or may be used to determine, significant environmental impacts; (n) A statement briefly indicating the reasons that various possible significant effects of a project were determined not to be significant and, therefore, were not discussed in the EIR; (o) The identity of all federal, state or local agencies or other organizations and private individuals consulted in preparing the EIR, and the identity of the persons, firm or agency preparing the EIR, by contract or other authorization. To the fullest extent possible, the City should integrate CEQA review with these related environmental review and consultation requirements; (p) A discussion of those potential effects of the proposed project on the environment that the City has determined are or may be significant. The discussion on other effects may be limited to a brief explanation as to why those effects are not potentially significant; and (q) A description of feasible measures, as set forth in Local Guidelines Section 7.22, which could minimize significant adverse impacts. 7.19 C ONSIDERATION AND D ISCUSSION OF S IGNIFICANT E NVIRONMENTAL I MPACTS. An EIR must identify and focus on the significant effects of the proposed project on the environmentCity should normally limit its examination to comparing changes that would result from the project as compared to the existing physical conditions in the affected area as they exist when the Notice of Preparation is published. If a Notice of Preparation is not published for the project, the City the time environmental review begins. Direct and indirect significant effects of the project on the environment must be clearly identified and described, considering both the short-term and long-term effects. The discussion should include relevant specifics of the area, the resources involved, physical changes, alterations to ecological systems, and changes induced in population distribution, population concentration, the human use of the land (including commercial and residential development), health and safety problems caused by the physical changes, and other aspects of the project that may impact resources in the project area, such as water, historical resources, scenic quality, and public services. The EIR must also analyze any significant environmental effects the project might cause or risk exacerbating by bringing development and people into the area. If applicable, an EIR should also evaluate any potentially significant direct, indirect, or cumulative environmental impacts of locating development in areas susceptible to hazardous conditions (e.g., floodplains, coastlines, wildfire risk areas), including both short-term and long-term conditions, as identified on authoritative hazard maps, risk assessments or in land use plans addressing such hazards areas. 2019 City of Santa Ana Local Guidelines 7-13 ©Best Best & Krieger LLP