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

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South Coast Technology Center Project CEQA Exemption 15183 iii) Would the project delay timely attainment of air quality standards or the interim emissions reductions specified in the AQMP? The proposed Project would result in less than significant impacts regarding localized concentrations during Project construction and operations; refer to the Localized Pollutants and Sensitive Receptors subsection below. As such, the Project would not delay the timely attainment of air quality standards or 2022 AQMP emissions reductions. Criterion 2: With respect to the second criterion for determining consistency with SCAQMD and SCAG air quality policies, it is important to recognize that air quality planning within the Basin focuses on attainment of ambient air quality standards at the earliest feasible date. Projections for achieving air quality goals are based on assumptions regarding population, housing, and growth trends. Thus, the SCAQMD's second criterion for determining project consistency focuses on whether the proposed Project exceeds the assumptions utilized in preparing the forecasts presented in the 2022 AQMP. Determining whether a project exceeds the assumptions reflected in the 2022 AQMP involves the evaluation of the three criteria outlined below. The following discussion provides an analysis of each of these criteria. i) Would the project be consistent with the population, housing, and employment growth projections utilized in the preparation of the AQMP? A project is consistent with the 2022 AQMP, in part, if it is consistent with the population, housing, and employment assumptions that were used in the development of the 2022 AQMP. In the case of the 2022 AQMP, three sources of data form the basis for the projections of air pollutant emissions: general plans, SCAG's regional growth forecast, and SCAG's 2020-2045 RTP/SCS. The 2020-2045 RTP/SCS also provides socioeconomic forecast projections of regional population growth. The Project Site is designated Industrial and zoned SD-58. The Industrial land use designation provides space for activities such as light and heavy manufacturing, warehousing, processing, and distribution as well as commercial uses ancillary to industrial activities; permitted uses in the SD-58 zoning district include professional and business offices providing personal and professional services including employment agencies, medical insurance, real estate, travel, trade contractors, architects, engineers, finance, research and development, and other similar uses. The Project proposes the construction of three new Class A industrial buildings for office, manufacturing, and/or warehouse use. As such, the Project would be consistent with the land use projections previously envisioned for this site. Furthermore, the Project is anticipated to generate approximately 425 employees, which would be a nominal amount of employment increase compared to the growth identified in the GPU PEIR, which is an increase of 13,418 jobs between 2019 and 2045.1 As such, the proposed Project is considered consistent with the General Plan Update, and is consistent with the types, intensity, and patterns of land use previously envisioned for the site. The population, housing, and employment forecasts, which are adopted by SCAG's Regional Council, are based on the local plans and policies applicable to the City. As the SCAQMD has incorporated these same projections into the a City of Santa Ana, General Plan Update Program Environmental Impact Report, Table 5.13-7, Population and Employment Projections for Santa Ana and Orange County, October 2021. July 2024 Page 21