Initial Study Hemlock Mixed Use Project PDC18-009,PD18-037, PT18-002 Prepepparedarered by In Consultation with December 2018 TABLE OF CONTENTS Section 1.0 Introduction and Purpose ................................................................................................ 1 1.1 Purpose of the Initial Study .................................................................................................... 1 1.2 Public Review Period ............................................................................................................. 1 1.3 Consideration of the Initial Study and Project ........................................................................ 1 1.4 Notice of Determination ......................................................................................................... 1 Section 2.0 Project Information ......................................................................................................... 2 2.1 Project Title ............................................................................................................................ 2 2.2 Lead Agency Contact ............................................................................................................. 2 2.3 Project Applicant .................................................................................................................... 2 2.4 Project Location ...................................................................................................................... 2 2.5 Assessor’s Parcel Number ...................................................................................................... 2 2.6 General Plan Designation and Zoning District ....................................................................... 2 2.7 Habitat Plan Designation ........................................................................................................ 2 2.8 Project-Related Approvals, Agreements, and Permits............................................................ 2 Section 3.0 Project Description .......................................................................................................... 6 3.1 Project Overview .................................................................................................................... 6 3.2 Proposed Development ........................................................................................................... 6 Section 4.0 Environmental Setting, Checklist, and Impact Discussion ........................................... 12 4.1 Aesthetics .............................................................................................................................. 14 4.2 Agricultural and Forestry Resources .................................................................................... 26 4.3 Air Quality ............................................................................................................................ 29 4.4 Biological Resources ............................................................................................................ 44 4.5 Cultural Resources ................................................................................................................ 53 4.6 Geology and Soils ................................................................................................................. 64 4.7 Greenhouse Gas Emissions ................................................................................................... 71 4.8 Hazards and Hazardous Materials ........................................................................................ 80 4.9 Hydrology and Water Quality .............................................................................................. 90 4.10 Land Use and Planning ......................................................................................................... 99 4.11 Mineral Resources .............................................................................................................. 106 4.12 Noise and Vibration ............................................................................................................ 107 4.13 Population and Housing ...................................................................................................... 121 4.14 Public Services ................................................................................................................... 123 4.15 Recreation ........................................................................................................................... 129 4.16 Transportation/Traffic......................................................................................................... 132 Hemlock Mixed Use Project i Initial Study City of San José December 2018 4.17 Utilities and Service Systems ............................................................................................. 148 4.18 Mandatory Findings of Significance .................................................................................. 154 Section 5.0 References ................................................................................................................... 162 Section 6.0 Lead Agency and Consultants ..................................................................................... 164 6.1 Lead Agency ....................................................................................................................... 164 6.2 Consultants ......................................................................................................................... 164 Hemlock Mixed Use Project ii Initial Study City of San José December 2018 TABLE OF CONTENTS Figures Figure 2.2-1: Regional Map ................................................................................................................ 3 Figure 2.2-2: Vicinity Map ................................................................................................................. 4 Figure 2.2-3: Aerial Photograph of the Project Site and Surrounding Land Uses .............................. 5 Figure 3.2-1: Conceptual Site Plan ..................................................................................................... 7 Figure 3.2-2: Building Elevations (North and South) ......................................................................... 8 Figure 3.2-3: Building Elevations (East and West) ............................................................................ 9 Figure 3.2-4: Building Perspective from Hemlock Avenue ............................................................. 10 Figure 4.1-1: Site Perspective from Parking Lot Across Hemlock Avenue ..................................... 23 Figure 4.1-2: Site Perspective from Hemlock Avenue Looking West.............................................. 24 Figure 4.1-3: Site Perspective from Baywood Avenue Looking South ............................................ 25 Figure 4.16-1: Study Intersections .................................................................................................... 139 Tables Table 4.3-1: BAAQMD Air Quality Significance Thresholds ......................................................... 34 Table 4.3-2: Bay Area 2017 CAP Applicable Control Measures ..................................................... 35 Table 4.3-3: Summary of Daily Project Construction Emissions ..................................................... 38 Table 4.3-4: Summary of Project Operational Emissions ................................................................ 39 Table 4.4-1: Tree Species Observed On-Site .................................................................................... 47 Table 4.4-2: Tree Replacement Ratios .............................................................................................. 51 Table 4.9-1: Approximate Pervious and Impervious Surfaces On-Site ............................................ 96 Table 4.12-1: Effects of Vibration .................................................................................................... 108 Table 4.12-2: Land Use Compatibility Guidelines for Community Noise in San José .................... 109 Table 4.12-1: Summary of Noise Measurement Data ....................................................................... 111 Table 4.16-1: Intersection Level of Service Definitions Based on Delay......................................... 138 Table 4.16-2: Study Intersection Level of Service – Existing Conditions ........................................ 140 Table 4.16-3: Study Intersection Level of Service – Background Conditions ................................. 141 Table 4.16-4: Study Intersection Level of Service – Existing Plus Project Conditions ................... 144 Table 4.16-5: Background Plus Project Intersection Levels of Service ........................................... 144 Table 4.18-1: Impacts from Combined Sources at Construction MEI.............................................. 156 Appendices Appendix A – Air Quality Analysis and Emissions Data Appendix B – Tree Survey Appendix C – Historic Resources Assessment Appendix D – CalEEMod GHG Results Appendix E – Phase I Environmental Site Assessment Appendix F – Traffic Impact Analysis and TDM Plan Hemlock Mixed Use Project iii Initial Study City of San José December 2018 ACRONYMS AND ABBREVIATIONS CDFW California Department of Fish and Wildlife CEQA California Environmental Quality Act EIR Environmental Impact Report MND Mitigated Negative Declaration NOD Notice of Determination RWQCB