Item 26 - Public Hearing Regarding Bristol Project

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Response to Letter L4: Katie Perez, dated August 10, 2024 Comment L4.1: This comment states that the commenter is dissatisfied with communications on the Project and found out about the hearing through a post on Nextdoor. The comment states that those who would be affected by the large increase in traffic should have been notified. Response L4.1: This comment does not provide substantial evidence of a significant environmental impact. As discussed on page 2-5 of the Draft Supplemental EIR in Section 2.0, Introduction, the City of Santa Ana held a scoping meeting for the proposed Project to solicit oral and written comments from the public and public agencies. The public scoping meeting was held on March 30, 2023. Comments received at the meeting are contained in Appendix A of the Draft Supplemental EIR. Additionally, the City of Santa Ana, as Lead Agency, prepared a NOP for the proposed Project, which was distributed to nearby businesses and residents within a 1000-foot radius of the Project site on March 17, 2023 for a 30-day public review and comment period that ended on April 17, 2023. The Draft Supplemental EIR was circulated for a 45- day public review period that allowed for public comments. Additionally, the Draft Supplemental EIR provides an accurate and thorough analysis of all of the Project's potential environmental impacts pursuant to CEQA. The Draft SEIR Section 5.13, Transportation, details that Senate Bill (SB) 743 changes include the elimination of auto delay, LOS, and similar measures of vehicular capacity or traffic congestion as the basis for determining significant impacts. As part of the 2019 amendments to the State CEQA Guidelines, SB 743 directed that the revised CEQA Guidelines "shall promote the reduction of greenhouse gas emissions, the development of multimodal transportation networks, and a diversity of land uses" (Public Resources Code Section 21099[b][1 ]); and that "automobile delay, as described solely by level of service or similar measures of vehicular capacity or traffic congestion, shall not be considered a significant impact on the environment" (Public Resources Code Section 21099[b][2]). As such, pursuant to Public Resources Code Section 21099(b)(2), the Supplemental EIR is not required to analyze impacts related to traffic congestion. In addition, Policy M-1.4 from the City's Mobility Element (as listed on page 5.13-3 of the Draft Supplemental EIR) states that the City intends to "maintain at least a vehicle level of service "D" for intersections of arterial streets, except in areas planned for high intensity development or traffic safety projects". The Project site has a General Plan land use designation of District Center -High, which is intended for transit -oriented and high -density urban villages and mixed uses. Comment L4.2: This comment states that crime is rising within the area, and there have been several accidents along Bristol Street which would increase due to the increase in traffic brought by the proposed project. Response L4.2: This comment does not provide substantial evidence of a significant environmental impact. As described in Section 3.0, Project Description, of the Draft SEIR, an administrative Police Department Substation (no transfers or bookings) would be located within the commercial use area of the Project site. The substation would provide space for the expansion of policing services in the southern portion of the City and would provide the ability to quickly respond to emergency calls from within the Project site. The specific location would be determined prior to construction of the first phase of the proposed Project. Also, in Section 5.11 Public Services, it describes that the proposed Project would address typical residential security concerns by providing low -intensity security lighting, security cameras, electronic access to buildings, and onsite security personnel. Pursuant to the City's existing permitting process, the Police Department would review and approve the final site plans to ensure that the City's Crime Prevention through Environmental Design (CPTED) measures (General Plan Policy PS-2.1) are incorporated appropriately to provide a safe environment, including areas within parking garages. Thus, police staffing concerns were adequately addressed in the Draft SEIR. The commenter provides no substantial evidence regarding a traffic safety impact. As discussed on Draft SEIR page 5.13-1 1, the Project would include multiple circulation improvements to connect the proposed 9