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

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South Coast Technology Center Project CEQA Exemption 15183 4. Environmental Review This section includes an assessment, by issue area, of the proposed Project's potential effects on the environment. 4.1 Aesthetics 4.1.1 GPU PEIR Findings The GPU PEIR concluded that while buildout of the General Plan Update would result in greater density and intensity in five focus areas, it would not create a substantially adverse impact on scenic vistas nor degrade the City's visual character or quality. As stated in the GPU PEIR, because the City is highly urbanized, buildout in accordance with the GPU would consist mainly of infill and redevelopment efforts. Additionally, the GPU PEIR determined that the visual character of historic districts and scenic corridors within the City would not be substantially impacted. As stated in the GPU PEIR, development would be required to comply with the design and development specifications outlined in the updated land use and urban design elements. The aesthetic quality of development within the City would be guided by the SAMC and the seven existing specific plan/special zoning areas. Further, the GPU PEIR determined that by complying with the building codes, nighttime lighting and glare impacts and potential spillover caused by the full buildout of the General Plan Update would be minimized and impacts would be less than significant. Lastly, there are no state -designated scenic highways in Santa Ana, and thus, no impact would occur related to state scenic highways. The GPU PEIR determined that aesthetics impacts would be minimized with the implementation of GPU PEIR Regulatory Requirements (RR) AE-1 through RR AE-3. RR AE-1 would require the City to enforce adherence with the California Building Code, including provisions of the Building Energy Efficiency Standards related to lighting. RR AE-2 would require the City to enforce development standards and other general provisions as detailed in the Zoning Code (SAMC Chapter 41, Zoning) to ensure consistency between the General Plan and proposed development projects. RR AE-3 would require the City to enforce the development standards and guidelines of adopted specific plans. Overall, impacts related to aesthetics were determined to be less than significant. 4.1.2 Project Analysis The Project Site is located within a highly urbanized area in the southwestern portion of Santa Ana, and is not located within one of the five focus areas, a historic district, or near a scenic corridor. Additionally, no long range public views are available from or through the Project Site. The Project Site is currently developed with an existing 10.2-acre office park east of Susan Street and also consists of an approximately 5.6-acre vacant field west of Susan Street. Thus, the proposed Project would redevelop an infill site, consistent with the buildout of the General Plan Update, and would not impact a scenic vista. The Project Site is not located within a state -designated scenic highway and there are no designated or eligible scenic highways within 5 miles of the Project Site.3 Therefore, the proposed Project would not have a substantial adverse effect on a scenic vista, or damage scenic resources within a state -designated scenic highway. California Department of Transportation, California State Scenic Highway System Map, https://caltrans. maps.arcgis.com/apps/webappviewer/index.html?id=465dfd3d807c46cc8e8057116flaacaa, accessed April 25, 2024. July 2024 Page 16