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

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South Coast Technology Center Project CEQA Exemption 15183 demolition waste materials to be diverted from disposal by recycling, reuse on the project, or salvaged for future use or sale and the amount (by weight or volume). 4.9 Hazards and Hazardous Materials 4.9.1 GPU PER Findings As stated in the GPU PEIR, the General Plan Update does not introduce any general or heavy industrial uses anywhere in the City in comparison to existing conditions. The GPU PER concluded that buildout of the proposed General Plan Update would include construction activities and operations that would transport, use, or dispose of hazardous materials in proximity to existing environmental justice (EJ) communities (i.e., disadvantaged communities), existing sensitive receptors, and proposed new sensitive receptors. Such activities could create a significant hazard to the public or the environment given the proximity of hazardous materials sites which are considered open cases, existing lead -contaminated soils, existing buildings containing asbestos -containing materials (ACM) and/or lead -based paint (LBP), and existing and planned industrial uses throughout the City. The GPU PER also determined that buildout of the General Plan Update would increase the number of hazardous waste generators as there would be an increase in industrial uses. However, impacts related to the use, storage, transport, and disposal of hazardous materials would be governed by existing regulations of several agencies, including the USEPA, US Department of Transportation, California Division of Occupational Safety and Health, and the Orange County Health Care Agency (OCHCA), Environmental Health Division. Policies and implementation actions in the General Plan Update specifically target existing land use compatibility issues and aim to prevent any future impacts to new sensitive receptors within EJ communities. Additionally, buildout under the General Plan Update would be required to implement RRs HAZ-1 through RR HAZ-5. Thus, the GPU PER determined that impacts related to the routine use, storage, transport, and disposal of hazardous materials, and the accidental release of hazardous materials, would be less than significant. The GPU PER also concluded that development on or adjacent to any sites listed on hazardous materials databases would require an environmental site assessment to ensure that projects would not disturb hazardous materials on any of the hazardous materials sites or plumes of hazardous materials diffusing from one of the hazardous materials sites, and that any proposed development, redevelopment, or reuse would not create a substantial hazard to the public or the environment. With the preparation of an environmental site assessment, impacts related to development on an existing hazardous materials site would be less than significant. Further, there are parts of the City that are within the vicinity of the John Wayne Airport Compatibility Land Use Plan and have height limits due to regulations pertaining to navigable airspace. The GPU PER concluded that projects approved under the General Plan Update would be required to comply with existing regulations to ensure consistency with the John Wayne Airport Compatibility Land Use Plan and protect navigable airspace. Impacts would be less than significant. The GPU PER concluded that buildout of the General Plan Update would increase square footage, dwelling units, population, and traffic congestion in the City, which could adversely impact evacuation plans. However, as the General Plan Update would not result in substantial changes to circulation patterns and emergency access routes, or interfere with the City's operations for emergency response, impacts related to emergency response would be less than significant. The GPU PER also concluded that no impact would occur related to wildland fire as the City is not within a fire hazard severity zone. July 2024 Page 65