Item 26 - Public Hearing Regarding Bristol Project

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Response to Letter L8: Susan Grasse, dated August 11, 2024 This comment letter was received after the public review and comment period ended (July 6, 2023, through August 23, 2023). As stated in Section 15088 of the CEQA Guidelines, Lead Agencies are not required to respond to letters received outside of the noticed comment period. However, the following responses have been prepared to provide clarity regarding the environmental concerns that have been raised. Comment L8.1: This comment states that the commenter has several concerns regarding the proposed Project including security for patrons in the underground parking garage. Response L8.1: The comment does not raise any specific environmental concern with the analysis within the Draft SEIR. CEQA is an environmental protection statute that is concerned with physical changes to the environment (CEQA Guidelines Section 15358(b)). The environment includes land, air, water, minerals, flora, fauna, ambient noise, and objects of historic or aesthetic significance (CEQA Guidelines Section 15360). The Project's potential economic and social effects are not considered effects on the environment (CEQA Guidelines Sections 15064(e) and 151 31(a)). Thus, consistent with CEQA, the Draft SEIR includes an analysis of the Project's potentially significant physical impacts on the environment and does not include substantial discussion of security within parking garages. However, as noted on page 5.1 1-12 of the Draft SEIR, the Project would include development of an administrative Police Department substation within the commercial use area. In addition, the Project would include low -intensity security lighting, security cameras, electronic access to residential buildings, and onsite security personnel. Therefore, adequate security for public patrons would be included within the Project. Comment L8.2: This comment states that the commenter has concerns for student pedestrian safety and commuter traffic safety due to construction equipment along streets. Response L8.2: The comment does not raise any specific environmental concern with the analysis within the Draft SEIR. As required by Mitigation Measure AQ-1, the Project Applicant must prepare a construction traffic control plan detailing the locations of equipment staging areas, material stockpiles, proposed road closures, and hours of construction operations, and designing the plan to minimize impacts to roads frequented by passenger cars, pedestrians, bicyclists, and other non -truck traffic. Therefore, the Project would not result in safety issues related to construction equipment conflicting with pedestrians or commuter vehicles. Comment L8.3: This comment states that the commenter is concerned about solid and airborne debris from trucks. Response L8.3: The comment does not raise any specific environmental concern with the analysis within the Draft SEIR. During construction, the Project would be required to adhere to SCAQMD Rules, such as SCAQMD Rule 403, which requires tarping and/or maintaining a minimum of 24 inches of freeboard on trucks hauling dirt, sand, soils, or other loose materials. Therefore, the Project would not result in solid or airborne debris from construction truck travel. Comment L8.4: This comment states that the commenter is concerned for handicapped accessibility for stores and restaurants during and after construction. Response L8.4: The comment does not raise any specific environmental concern with the analysis within the Draft SEIR. Issues related to parking and handicap accessibility are not a CEQA consideration. However, during construction phasing, the Project would provide adequate ADA parking stalls and handicap accessibility for buildings that remain open. During Project operation, the Project would provide adequate ADA parking stalls and paths of travel pursuant to California Building Code requirements. Comment L8.5: This comment states the commenter is concerned about increased traffic on Sunflower Avenue from the hotel and apartments. 14