Laserfiche WebLink
SECTION VII <br />RESOLUTION REGARDING SIGNIFICANT IRREVERSIBLE ENVIRONMENTAL CHANGES <br />Section 151 26.2(c) of the CEQA Guidelines requires that an EIR discuss "any significant irreversible <br />environmental changes which would be involved in the proposed action should it be implemented." <br />Generally, a project would result in significant irreversible environmental changes if one of the <br />following scenarios is involved: <br />• The project would involve a large commitment of nonrenewable resources. <br />• Irreversible damage can result from environmental accidents associated with the project. <br />• The proposed consumption of resources is not justified (e.g., the Project results in the wasteful <br />use of energy). <br />The Project would result in or contribute to the following irreversible environmental changes: <br />• Lands in the Project area that are currently developed with commercial uses would be re- <br />committed to multi -family residential and commercial retail uses once the proposed buildings <br />are constructed. Secondary effects associated with this irreversible commitment of land <br />resources include: <br />o Increased vehicle miles traveled on area roadways (Draft Supplemental EIR Section <br />5.13. Transportation). <br />o Emissions of air pollutants and greenhouse gas emissions associated with Project <br />construction and operation (Draft Supplemental EIR Section 5.1, Air Quality). <br />o Consumption of non-renewable energy associated with construction and operation of <br />the proposed Project due to the use of automobiles, lighting, heating and cooling <br />systems, appliances, and the like (Draft Supplemental EIR Section 5.3, Energy). <br />o Increased ambient noise associated with an increase in activities and traffic from the <br />Project (Draft Supplemental EIR Section 5.9, Noise). <br />In regard to energy usage from the proposed Project, as demonstrated in the analyses contained <br />in Draft Supplemental EIR Section 5.3, Energy, the proposed Project would not involve wasteful or <br />unjustifiable use of non-renewable resources, and conservation efforts would be enforced during <br />construction and Operation of proposed development. The proposed development would <br />incorporate energy -generating and conserving project design features, including those required by <br />the California Building Code, California Energy Code Title 24, which specify green building <br />standards for new developments. (Draft Supplemental EIR, pp. 5.16-6 through 5.16-7.) <br />