Item 28 - Public Hearing - ZOA No. 20204-01 South Coast Technology Center

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South Coast Technology Center Project CEQA Exemption 15183 Operation Transportation Energy Demand According to the Trip Generation Assessment, the proposed Project would generate approximately 1,544 total gross daily trips, and would result in approximately 386 fewer average daily trips compared to the existing conditions. However, as discussed above, the Project would result in a fleet mix that would include more medium- and heavy-duty trucks that use diesel with a lower mile per gallon efficiency rate and longer trip lengths, which would result in higher diesel fuel consumption. As indicated in Table 4.6-2, the Project would increase operational diesel fuel consumption by 380,479 gallons, but would result in a net reduction in gasoline consumption of approximately 21,900 gallons compared to existing conditions. The Project's net change in operational diesel fuel consumption would increase the County's diesel consumption by 0.2791 percent. The Project's net change in operational gasoline consumption would reduce the County's gasoline consumption by 0.0020 percent. The Project would not substantially increase the County's existing diesel and gasoline consumption. Furthermore, the Project does not propose any unusual features that would result in excessive long-term operational fuel consumption. The key drivers of transportation -related fuel consumption for the proposed Project would be heavy-duty trucks traveling to and from the Project Site and passenger vehicle and light- and medium -duty trucks trips. At the time of this analysis, it has not been determined if the ultimate tenants for the proposed buildings would operate their own fleet; most warehouse operators have no control over the trucks entering and exiting their facilities. Consequently, it is infeasible to require trucks with particular emission profiles (e.g., zero -emission [ZE], near -zero -emission [NZE], or 2010 or beyond model year trucks) for Project operations. However, the Project would be required to comply with SCAQMD Rule 2305 for warehouse uses. The Project would also consume fuel in the form of employees driving to and from the Project Site. Employee commuting factors are outside of the scope of the design of the proposed Project. Notwithstanding, the Project would include approximately 39 electric vehicle (EV) parking spaces with electrical charging stations installed; the Project would also include 27 short- and long-term bicycle parking spaces, all of which would be in compliance with the CALGreen Code. This requirement would encourage and support alternative modes of travel and thus reduce the petroleum fuel consumption. Therefore, fuel consumption associated with vehicle trips generated by the Project would not be considered inefficient, wasteful, or unnecessary in comparison to other similar developments in the region. Overall, fuel consumption associated with vehicle trips generated by the proposed Project would not be considered inefficient, wasteful, or unnecessary in comparison to other similar developments in the region. Consistent with the GPU PEIR, impacts would be less than significant. Building Energy Demand The proposed buildings would be fully powered by electricity and no natural gas would be consumed. As shown in Table 4.6-2, operational energy (electricity) consumption from the proposed Project would represent an approximately 0.0099 percent increase over the 2022 countywide electricity consumption, which would be significantly below California Energy Commission's energy consumption forecast. Therefore, the proposed Project would not require additional energy capacity or supplies beyond what was analyzed for the GPU PEIR. Additionally, the proposed Project would consume energy during the same time periods as other commercial and light industrial developments and would consume energy evenly throughout the day. Thus, July 2024 Page 44