Item 26 - Public Hearing Vista Heritage Charter School (601 North Fairview Street)

Home Browse Search

AA No. 2023-04 and ZOA No. 2023-03 for Vista Heritage Charter School at 601 North Fairview Street December 11, 2023 Page 10 evaluated whether the potential environmental impacts are addressed in the City of Santa Ana General Plan Update Final Recirculated Program Environmental Impact Report (GPU EIR). Specifically, the analysis evaluates the change of use of the existing 5,837- square-foot building from auto -repair to administrative office and site improvements that include new landscaping, fagade remodel, and new outdoor areas for the office and the school. CEQA Guidelines Section 15183 allows a streamlined environmental review process for projects that are consistent with the densities established by existing zoning, community plan, or general plan policies for which an EIR was certified and does not require additional environmental review, except as might be necessary to examine whether there are project -specific significant effects which are peculiar to the project or its site. Moreover, projects that are consistent with the densities and use characteristics considered by the GPU EIR may qualify for the CEQA Guidelines Section 15183 Exemption process. This exemption process may be used when a project meets the following conditions: a) The project is consistent with the development density established by existing zoning, community plan or general plan policies for which an EIR was certified. b) There are no project specific effects which are peculiar to the project or its site. c) There are no project specific impacts which the prior EIR failed to analyze as significant effects. d) There are no potentially significant off -site and/or cumulative impacts which the prior EIR failed to evaluate. e) There is no substantial new information which results in more severe impacts than anticipated by the prior EIR. The GPU was adopted, and the GPU EIR certified, in April 2022 (State Clearinghouse Number 2020029087); the GPU went into effect on May 26, 2022. Any decision by the City affecting land use and development must be consistent with the GPU. The GPU EIR evaluates the potential environmental effects associated with implementation of the GPU and addresses appropriate and feasible mitigation measures that would minimize or eliminate these impacts. Pursuant to Section 15183(i)(2) of the CEQA Guidelines, a project is consistent with the GPU if the development density does not exceed what was contemplated and analyzed for the parcel(s) in the certified GPU EIR and complies with the associated standards applicable to that development density. Development density standards can include the number of dwelling units per acre, the number of people in a given area, floor area ratio (FAR), and other measures of building intensity, building height, size limitations, and use restrictions. The GPU identifies that the Interim Development Standard for the FLEX-1.5 area are those development standards outlined for the M1 zoning designation. The M1 zone provides for a variety of light industrial uses, including warehousing, manufacture, City Council 26 — 302 1/16/2024