75B - PH ADOPT RESO FOR PR NO 15-6827

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NT MENTS INITIAL STUDY/MITIGATED NEGATIVE DECLARATION FAIRVIEW BPIOGE REVLACEM REST TO STREET BEET) PROJECT L S A MAY 2020 (9Tx STREET To ANTx STREET) L, OLEGT SANTA ANAL CALIFOPHIA Because the existing intersection geometrics have storage lengths that exceed the calculated queue lengths, modifications to existing pocket lengths are not necessary to accommodate 2040 Plus Project traffic queues. Pedestrian and bicyclist facilities along Fairview Street that currently exist on both sides of the bridge but not on the bridge itself would be connected by sidewalks and Class II bike lanes that are part of the proposed Project. The closure of this gap in the pedestrian network would benefit pedestrians traveling between destinations north of 17th Street, such as Leroy L. Doig Intermediate School, Samueli Academy, the Stater Bros. Market, the residential community south of the Santa Ana River and the Fairview Triangle park. With implementation of Mitigation Measure TR-2, which will address the projected deficiency at the intersection of Fairview Street and Civic Center Drive, Project operation would not conflict with a program plan, ordinance, or policy addressing the circulation system, including transit, roadway, bicycle, and pedestrian facilities. Impacts would be less than significant with mitigation incorporated. b. Would the project conflict or be inconsistent with CEQA Guidelines §15064.3, subdivision (b)? Less Than Significant Impact. CEQA Guidelines section 15064.3 was certified and adopted in December 2018. Section 15064.3 provides that VMT is the most appropriate metric to assess transportation impacts. Other relevant considerations may include a project's effects on transit and nonmotorized travel. Section 15064.3, subdivision (b) further provides that transportation projects that reduce VMT should be presumed to cause a less -than -significant impact. For roadway capacity projects, a lead agency has "discretion to determine the appropriate measure of transportation impact consistent with CEQA and other applicable requirements." Based on CEQA Guidelines section 15064.3, VMT analysis will be required Statewide beginning July 1, 2020. Consistent with CEQA Guidelines section 15064.3, the City adopted new Local Guidelines for Implementing the California Environmental Quality Act in June 2019, which included a requirement for a quantitative analysis of VMT associated with a transportation project that adds capacity. However, a quantitative analysis of Project -generated VMT was not conducted as the transportation analysis for this project was prepared prior to June 2019. As such, a qualitative analysis of potential VMT impacts associated with the proposed Project is provided below. The purpose of the proposed Project is to reduce congestion and improve pedestrian and bicyclist safety on Fairview Street between 9th Street and 16th Street, consistent with the Orange County Master Plan of Arterial Highways and the City's General Plan Circulation Element. Currently, the Fairview Street bridge is utilized by bicyclists and pedestrians to cross over the Santa Ana River, but there are no existing sidewalks or bike lanes on the bridge or bike lanes between 9th Street and 16th Street. As part of the Project, the Fairview Street bridge would be replaced with a new six -lane bridge (three lanes in each direction), including a complete bridge deck with barrier rails, sidewalks, bicycle lanes, a raised median, and lighting and Class II bike lanes would be added between 9th Street and 16th Street. These features would improve the safety of the area for both motorized and nonmotorized travel. R:\WKE1702\ISMND\Fina1 ISMND\Fairview Street Bridge Final ISMN76SE3 40I 35 3-101