Laserfiche WebLink
INITIAL STUDY/MITIGATED NEGATIVE DECLARATION FAIRVIEw BRIDGE REPLACEMENT AND STREET IMPROVEMENTS <br />(9TH STREET TO 16TH STREET) PROJECT <br />w <br />MAY 2020 <br />SANTA ANAL CALIFORNIA <br />J" <br />3.16 RECREATION <br />Less Than <br />Potentially <br />Significant with <br />Less Than <br />Significant <br />Mitigation <br />Significant <br />No <br />Impact <br />Incorporated <br />Impact <br />Impact <br />a. Would the project increase the use of existing neighborhood <br />and regional parks or other recreational facilities such that <br />❑ <br />❑ <br />® <br />❑ <br />substantial physical deterioration of the facility would occur <br />or be accelerated? <br />b. Does the project include recreational facilities or require the <br />construction or expansion of recreational facilities which <br />❑ <br />❑ <br />® <br />❑ <br />might have an adverse physical effect on the environment? <br />3.16.1 Existing Setting <br />Recreational facilities in the vicinity of the Project area include the SART and Fairview Triangle. The <br />SART is a Class I bike path that runs on the east side of the Santa Ana River. Fairview Triangle is a <br />trailside rest area with native plant restoration, seating, and interpretive signage. Although Fairview <br />Triangle provides some function as a passive park, the primary purpose of the site is a rest area with <br />native plant restoration. <br />3.16.2 Impact Analysis <br />a. Would the project increase the use of existing neighborhood and regional parks or other <br />recreational facilities such that substantial physical deterioration of the facility would occur or be <br />accelerated? <br />Less Than Significant Impact. The purpose of the proposed Project is to reduce congestion and <br />improve pedestrian and bicyclist safety on Fairview Street between 9th Street and 16th Street. <br />Currently, the Fairview Street bridge is utilized by bicyclists and pedestrians to cross over the Santa <br />Ana River, but there are no existing sidewalks or bikeways on the bridge. As part of the proposed <br />Project, the Fairview Street bridge would be replaced with a new six -lane bridge (three lanes in each <br />direction), including a complete bridge deck with barrier rails, sidewalks, bicycle lanes, a raised <br />median, and lighting. These features would improve the safety of the area for both motorized and <br />nonmotorized travel. The improved bridge may attract additional pedestrians and bicyclists due to <br />added sidewalks and bikeways, which could facilitate access to the park by nonmotorized travel; <br />however the proposed Project would not induce population or employment growth that would <br />generate a significant increased demand for recreational facilities. Therefore, the proposed Project <br />would not increase the use of existing neighborhood and regional parks or other recreational <br />facilities such that substantial physical deterioration of the facility would occur or be accelerated. <br />Impacts would be less than significant, and no mitigation is required. <br />b. Does the project include recreational facilities or require the construction or expansion of <br />recreational facilities which might have an adverse physical effect on the environment? <br />Less Than Significant Impact. As discussed above, the purpose of the proposed Project is to reduce <br />congestion and improve pedestrian and bicyclist safety on Fairview Street between 9th Street and <br />R:\WKE1702\ISMND\Final ISMND\Fairview Street Bridge Final ISMND.docx (05/26/20) 3-91 <br />