990 Wren Avenue Residential Project
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Initial Study 990 Wren Avenue Residential Project File No: PLN2014-10384/10385 and CEQ2014-01177 City of Santa Clara December 2014 TABLE OF CONTENTS EXECUTIVE SUMMARY ................................................................................................................... 1 SECTION 1.0 INTRODUCTION AND PURPOSE .......................................................................... 7 SECTION 2.0 PROJECT INFORMATION ....................................................................................... 8 2.1 PROJECT TITLE ............................................................................................................... 8 2.2 PROJECT LOCATION...................................................................................................... 8 2.3 LEAD AGENCY CONTACT ............................................................................................ 8 2.4 PROPERTY OWNER/PROJECT APPLICANT ............................................................... 8 2.5 ASSESSOR’S PARCEL NUMBERS ................................................................................ 8 2.6 ZONING DISTRICT AND GENERAL PLAN DESIGNATIONS................................... 8 SECTION 3.0 PROJECT DESCRIPTION ....................................................................................... 12 SECTION 4.0 SETTING, ENVIRONMENTAL CHECKLIST AND IMPACTS ........................... 16 4.1 AESTHETICS ................................................................................................................... 16 4.2 AGRICULTURE AND FORESTRY RESOURCES ....................................................... 22 4.3 AIR QUALITY ................................................................................................................. 24 4.4 BIOLOGICAL RESOURCES .......................................................................................... 35 4.5 CULTURAL RESOURCES ............................................................................................. 49 4.6 GEOLOGY AND SOILS .................................................................................................. 56 4.7 GREENHOUSE GAS EMISSIONS ................................................................................. 60 4.8 HAZARDS AND HAZARDOUS MATERIALS ............................................................. 66 4.9 HYDROLOGY AND WATER QUALITY ...................................................................... 74 4.10 LAND USE ....................................................................................................................... 82 4.11 MINERAL RESOURCES ................................................................................................ 86 4.12 NOISE ............................................................................................................................... 87 4.13 POPULATION AND HOUSING ..................................................................................... 94 4.14 PUBLIC SERVICES ......................................................................................................... 96 4.15 RECREATION ............................................................................................................... 101 4.16 TRANSPORTATION ..................................................................................................... 103 4.17 UTILITIES AND SERVICE SYSTEMS ........................................................................ 106 4.18 MANDATORY FINDINGS OF SIGNIFICANCE ........................................................ 111 SECTION 5.0 REFERENCES ........................................................................................................ 116 SECTION 6.0 AUTHORS AND CONSULTANTS ...................................................................... 119 990 Wren Avenue Residential Project Initial Study City of Santa Clara i December 2014 TABLE OF CONTENTS FIGURES Figure 2.2-1 Regional Map .............................................................................................................. 9 Figure 2.2-2 Vicinity Map ............................................................................................................. 10 Figure 2.2-3 Aerial ......................................................................................................................... 11 Figure 3.1-1 Site Plan .................................................................................................................... 13 Figure 3.1-2 Elevations .................................................................................................................. 14 Figure 4.4-1 Habitat Map ............................................................................................................... 36 Figure 4.4-1 Tree Map ................................................................................................................... 41 Figure 4.8-1 Soil Sampling Locations ........................................................................................... 68 TABLES TABLE 4.3-1 Number of Ambient Air Quality Standards Violations and Highest Concentrations (2011-2013) ............................................................................................................... 24 TABLE 4.3-2 Thresholds of Significance Used in Air Quality Analyses ........................................ 27 TABLE 4.3-3 Summary of Cancer Risk, PM2.5 Concentrations, and Hazard Index ........................ 30 TABLE 4.3-4 Summary of Cancer Risk, PM2.5 Concentrations, and Hazard Index During Construction .............................................................................................................. 32 TABLE 4.6-1 Active Faults Near the Project Site ........................................................................... 56 TABLE 4.9-1 Pervious and Impervious Surfaces On-Site ............................................................... 78 APPENDICES Appendix A Community Health Risk Assessment Appendix B Construction Toxic Air Contaminants Assessment Appendix C Biological Resources Report Appendix D Arborist Report Appendix E Archaeological Literature Review Appendix F Preliminary Historical Evaluation Appendix G Geotechnical Investigation Appendix H Environmental Site Assessment Appendix I Subsurface Investigation Report Appendix J Noise Assessment 990 Wren Avenue Residential Project Initial Study City of Santa Clara ii December 2014 EXECUTIVE SUMMARY PROJECT LOCATION The proposed project (APN: 313-31-003) is located at 900 Wren Avenue in the City of Santa Clara. The 0.72-acre site is located on the west side of Lawrence Expressway and on the east side of Calabazas Creek. The site is bordered by a vacant lot to the north (a groundwater well site owned by the City) and residences to the south. PROJECT OVERVIEW The project proposes to demolish the existing single-family residence on-site (including associated structures, hardscape, and ornamental landscaping) and construct five, two-story single-family houses. The project site would be divided into five parcels, a parcel for each proposed residence. The project site is designated as Very Low Density Residential in the General Plan and zoned as R1- 6L - Single Family Residential. The proposed development is consistent with the General Plan designation. Due to the irregular shape of the site resulting in varying lot widths and the height of the proposed buildings, the project is inconsistent with the current zoning district and proposes rezoning the site to a Planned Development zoning district. SIGNIFICANT IMPACTS Several potentially significant impacts were identified associated with either construction or operation of the proposed project. Construction activities, including demolition, could result in temporary impacts to air quality and nesting migratory birds or roosting bats. Soil excavation during construction could potentially encounter subsurface cultural resources and/or expose construction workers and future residents to contaminated soil from prior agricultural activities. Development of the proposed project could expose future residents to excessive noise from Lawrence Expressway. Implementation of the identified mitigation measures and Standard Permit Conditions would reduce all significant impacts to a less than significant level. The following table summarizes the significant impacts and identifies mitigation and avoidance measures for the proposed project. 990 Wren Avenue Residential Project Initial Study City of Santa Clara 1 December 2014 SIGNIFICANT IMPACT MITIGATION AND AVOIDANCE MEASURES Air Quality Impacts Impact AIR-1: Construction MM AIR 1-1: All exposed surfaces (e.g., parking areas, staging areas, soil activities would generate dust and piles, graded areas, and unpaved access roads) shall be other particulate matter that could watered two times per day. impact adjacent and nearby residents. MM AIR 1-2: All haul trucks transporting soil, sand, or other loose material off-site shall be covered. (Significant Impact) MM AIR 1-3: All visible mud or dirt track-out onto adjacent public roads shall be removed using wet power vacuum street sweepers at least once per day. The use of dry power sweeping is prohibited. MM AIR 1-4: All vehicle speeds on unpaved roads shall be limited to 15 mph. MM AIR 1-5: All roadways, driveways, and sidewalks to be paved shall be completed as soon as possible after grading to minimize dirt and soil exposure. Building pads shall be laid as soon as possible after grading unless seeding or soil binders are used. MM AIR 1-6: Idling