Target Store Redevelopment Project 6.0 Other CEQA Discussions Draft EIR

6.0 OTHER CEQA DISCUSSIONS

6.1 GROWTH-INDUCING IMPACTS

Section 15126.2(d) of the CEQA Guidelines states that the assessment of growth-inducing impacts in the EIR must describe the “ways in which the proposed project could foster economic or population growth, or the construction of additional housing, either directly or indirectly, in the surrounding environment.”

The project site is within a redevelopment area, which seeks to attract private investment into an economically depressed community. The proposed project would not induce growth, but would seek to stimulate the economy of downtown Azusa. The proposed project would bring growth to the area by providing 129 net new jobs. The new jobs would be available to the local community and the project applicant would be encouraged to hire locally. With the addition of jobs, the proposed project would foster economic growth in the project area. The proposed project would not create more jobs than the adopted Southern Association of Government (SCAG) forecast for the Cities Council of Government (SGVCCG) Subregion. The new jobs and retail use would help to revitalize the downtown Azusa area. Thus, the proposed project would meet the goals of the Merged Project Area Redevelopment Plan by stimulating economic growth in the area. The proposed project does not include the construction of housing. In addition, the operation of the proposed project is not expected to induce population growth in the project area because similar uses currently exist on the project site. Therefore, the proposed project is not anticipated to increase population growth either directly or indirectly.

6.2 IRREVERSIBLE ENVIRONMENTAL CHANGES

Irreversible environmental changes are not anticipated for the proposed project. Construction and operation of the proposed project would rely upon the use of nonrenewable resources but not at levels that would be considered out of context with urban development. Use of fossil fuel derived energy sources, such as gasoline, diesel fuel, electricity, and natural gas, would be necessary for transport of workers and materials during construction and provision of electricity, natural gas, and fuel for vehicles during the life of the proposed project. Although fossil fuel consumption would constitute the depletion of a resource that is irretrievable and irreversible, the amount of resources consumed would not be of an extraordinary nature in a regional context.

6.3 EFFECTS DETERMINED NOT TO BE SIGNIFICANT

Agricultural Resources

The project site is located in an urbanized area and is currently developed with commercial, industrial, and parking uses. No agricultural uses are present within the project site or surrounding area. The project site and surrounding areas are not zoned for agricultural purposes and are not under a Williamson Act contract. According to the City of Azusa Existing Land Use Map, the nearest existing agricultural use is located approximately 0.4 miles east of the project site within the Monrovia Nursery Specific Plan area. Due to its relatively urban setting, the project site is not included in the Farmland Mapping and Monitoring Program of the California Resources Agency.1 Since no agricultural uses or related operations occur on or adjacent to the project site, the proposed project would not directly or indirectly cause the conversion of farmland to non-agricultural uses. Therefore, the proposed project would result in no impacts related to farmland, agricultural zoning, Williamson Act contracts, or agricultural uses.

1State of California Department of Conservation, Division of Land Resource Protection, Farmland Mapping and Monitoring Program, website: http://www.consrv.ca.gov/dlrp/FMMP/overview/survey_area_map.htm, accessed May 19, 2008. taha 2007-058 6-1 Target Store Redevelopment Project 6.0 Other CEQA Discussions Draft EIR

Cultural Resources

Historic Resources. The project site is currently developed with commercial and industrial buildings, as well as a surface parking lot. These buildings contain a supermarket, automobile-related uses, a restaurant, a beauty salon, a drugstore, and a laundry business. The proposed project would demolish the existing buildings and construct a two-story retail building. Each of the existing buildings on the project site was constructed in 1968 or later and has no architectural or local historical significance.2 As such, the existing buildings are not eligible for the National Register of Historic Places or the California Register of Historic Places. The project site does not contain elements that would be considered historic by the Office of Historic Preservation and the State Historic Resources Commission or the local register of historic resources. Therefore, no impacts to historical resources are anticipated.

Archaeological Resources. According to the Analysis of Existing Conditions and Trends Report prepared for the City of Azusa General Plan Update, at least nineteen archaeological studies have been conducted within the City limits. These studies covered 0.5- to 45-acre areas within the City and none of them determined that archaeological resources were present. No archaeological resources have been identified or are known to exist on the project site. Therefore, it is unlikely that archaeological materials would be found on the project site. The construction of the new building would require minor grading and excavation. As discussed above, the discovery of archaeological resources remains low. However, any excavation activity would have the potential to encounter undiscovered archaeological resources. Since unknown resources may be altered or destroyed by site excavation or other construction activities, discovery of archaeological resources during construction would be treated in accordance with applicable federal, State, and local guidelines. The proposed project would require minimal excavation and grading activities. Therefore, less-than-significant impacts are anticipated related to archaeological resources.

Paleontological Resources. Paleontological resources are not known to have previously been discovered on or adjacent to the project site. Although the possibility of discovering paleontological resources on the project site remains low, the potential for accidental discovery during grading and excavation activities always exists. Since unknown resources have the potential to be altered or destroyed by site excavation or other construction activities, discovery of paleontological resources during construction would be treated in accordance with applicable federal, State, and local guidelines. The proposed project would require minimal excavation and grading activities. Therefore, less-than-significant impacts are anticipated related to paleontological resources.

Human Remains. The project site is currently developed, and no human remains are known to be present. In the event that excavation does uncover previously interred human remains, these would be treated in accordance with appropriate State and federal guidelines. However, the proposed project would require minimal excavation and grading activities. Therefore, less-than-significant impacts are anticipated related to the disturbance of human remains.

Hydrology and Water Quality

Water Quality. The project site is developed with commercial and industrial buildings, as well as a large surface parking lot. As such, the project site is entirely impermeable. Vegetation on the project site consists of limited landscaping and scattered trees. The existing uses on the project site were developed prior to the adoption of current water quality standards and discharge requirements. Under existing conditions, surface water runoff from the parking lot may contain vehicle pollutants, including oil, washer fluid, and coolant. With the proposed project, impermeability would be the same as under existing conditions. The proposed project would not cause any increase in surface water runoff.

2Los Angeles County Office of the Assessor, Property Assessment Information System, available at http://assessor. lacounty.gov/extranet/default.aspx, accessed March 10, 2008. taha 2007-058 6-2 Target Store Redevelopment Project 6.0 Other CEQA Discussions Draft EIR

Project-related construction activities have the potential to result in adverse effects on surface water quality as a result of minor soil erosion, subsequent siltation, and conveyance of other pollutants into municipal storm drains during project construction. However, construction activities would occur in compliance with erosion control measures imposed by the City of Azusa Public Works Department. In addition, proposed project construction would be consistent with the National Pollution Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) permit to reduce pollution in storm water discharge to levels that comply with applicable water quality standards. Therefore, less-than-significant impacts related to surface water quality are anticipated.

Groundwater. The project site lies within the San Gabriel Valley Groundwater Basin. Due to releases of chlorinated solvents from industrial facilities, portions of the San Gabriel Valley Groundwater Basin have been designated as a Federal Superfund site. Groundwater in the project area can be found at depths between approximately 50 and over 150 feet below ground surface (bgs) and generally flows to the southwest. Groundwater levels often fluctuate due to seasonal variations, groundwater withdrawal or injection, earthquake faults, and other factors. The proposed project would not require the use of groundwater, and excavation activities occurring during the construction phase would be minimal. Furthermore, because the proposed project would not change the amount of impermeable surfaces on the project site, the proposed project would not affect any existing percolation of surface water into the groundwater table. Therefore, no impacts related to groundwater supplies or groundwater recharge are anticipated.

Drainage. The San Gabriel River is located approximately 1.4 miles west of the project site and flows to the southwest. The project site is currently developed with commercial and industrial buildings, a surface parking lot, and minor landscaping. Project construction would temporarily expose on-site soils to surface water runoff. However, compliance with the required provisions of erosion control measures would be required during the construction phase. During project operation, storm water or any runoff waters would be directed into existing storm drains that are currently receiving surface water runoff. Since the project site is nearly entirely impermeable, impervious surfaces resulting from the development of the proposed project would not measurably change the volume of storm water runoff. Alterations to existing drainage patterns within the project site and surrounding area would not occur. Therefore, less-than-significant impacts related to drainage are anticipated.

Flooding. According to the City of Azusa General Plan Natural Environment Element Flood Plain Boundary Map, the project site is not located within or adjacent to a 100-year flood hazard zone. In addition, the proposed project would construct a two-story retail store and would not include a residential component. Therefore, no impacts related to the placement of housing within a 100-year floodplain are anticipated.

According to the County of Los Angeles Flood Control District, the project site is located within a dam inundation zone, but not within a flood hazard zone. The project site is located within the inundation zones of and San Gabriel Dam. Morris Dam is located approximately three miles northeast of the project site and has a capacity of 39,300 acre-feet. San Gabriel Dam is located approximately 5.6 miles northeast of the project site and has a capacity of 52,344 acre-feet.3 In the event of the failure of either dam, the project area would be minimally affected by flood inundation due to the distance of the dams from the project site. In addition, the proposed project does not include a residential component and would not expose people or structures to hazards involving flooding. Therefore, less-than-significant impacts related to the exposure of people or structures to a significant risk of loss, injury, or death involving flooding are anticipated.

3County of Los Angeles Public Works Department, telephone conversation with Ramil Parial, Associate Civil Engineer, October 23, 2007. taha 2007-058 6-3 Target Store Redevelopment Project 6.0 Other CEQA Discussions Draft EIR

Mudflows. Mudflows result from the down-slope movement of soil and/or rock under the influence of gravity. The project site, which is not located within a hilly area or positioned down slope from any unprotected slopes or landslide areas, is not positioned in an area of potential mudflow hazards. Therefore, no impacts related to the exposure of structures mudflows are anticipated.

Seiche. The project site is located in a dam inundation zone but the nearest dam is located three miles to the northeast. Therefore, the possibility of flooding from a seiche is remote. In addition, improvements to flood control structures along the San Gabriel River by the Army Corps of Engineers, and the low-lying would likely divert much of the flooding in the event of a seismically-induced seiche. Furthermore, plans are underway to improve the structural integrity and upgrade existing inlet flows and electrical operation system of the dam.4 Therefore, less-than-significant impacts related to seiches are anticipated.

Tsunami. The Pacific Ocean is located approximately 33 miles west of the project site. Since the occurrence of catastrophic tsunamis is extremely rare, the likelihood of a tsunami that causes damage to the Pacific coastal areas, in addition to the inland project area, is low. Therefore, less-than-significant impacts related to tsunamis are anticipated.

Mineral Resources

The City of Azusa is underlain by an alluvial fan created by the San Gabriel River, which is largely classified by the State of California Department of Conservation as Mineral Resource Zone 2 (MRZ-2). A MRZ-2 is defined as an “area where adequate information indicates that significant mineral deposits are present, or where it is judged that a high likelihood exists for their presence.” However, the project site has been previously developed and is located in a relatively urbanized area. No mineral resources are known to exist on the project site and the proposed project would not contribute to the loss or non- availability of known mineral resources. Therefore, no impacts related to mineral resources are anticipated.

Recreation

Implementation of the proposed project would not introduce a housing component, which generally creates an increased demand for recreational facilities. The proposed project would construct a retail building and, therefore, would not likely result in an increased demand on existing neighborhood and regional parks or other recreational facilities. Therefore, no impacts related to neighborhood and regional parks and other recreational facilities are anticipated.

4County of Los Angeles Public Works, Morris Dam Water Supply Enhancement Project Final MND, February 2007. taha 2007-058 6-4