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Home My WebLink AboutRCC AGENDA PK 1999/02/15 Mitigated Negative Declaratio PROJECT NAME: KURS Radio Antennas PROJECT LOCATION: A 6.34 ac. leased portion ofland located on Otay Water District (OWD) property, about 1,600 feet south ofOtay Lakes Road and 2,400 feet west of Eastlake Parkway Drive and the Eastlake Greens Residential community, City of Chula Vista ASSESSOR'S Pf\RCEL NO.: 643-020-25-00 PROJECT APPLICANT: Pacific Spanish Network a.k.a KURS-I040 Radio Station CASE NO.: IS-99-15 DATE: January 11,1999 A. Project Setting The environmental setting consists of hilly knolls and corresponding slopes. The project site is located south of the Otay Water District water reservoir facility and north of the future Palomar Road and west of the proposed future State Route 125. The site includes a rounded low ridge top, ranging in elevation from approximately 575-625 feet. The site has been disturbed by agricultural activities and by grading in the area of the proposed access road. The site is zoned PC (planned Community) and the General Plan designates the site as Public & Quasi Public. Access to the site is through Otay Lakes Road, a designated 6-1ane major arterial. The Otay Water District water tank reservoirs are located to the north; vacant land to the east and south is owned by the District and is found in a natural state with recent discing activities having taken place; land to the west is presently vacant but is being improved for residential development as part of the Otay Ranch Sectional Planning Area (SPA) 1. B. Project Description The proposed project consists of the installation of five whip monopole radio antennas mounted on buried concrete slabs and having an approximate height of about 75.8 feet Additionally, a transmitter shed measuring 200 sq. ft. and having a height of 10 feet will be constructed. Each antenna will have 36 buried radial lines to aid in the reception and radio transmission. Each antenna is proposed to be surrounded by an 8- foot high chain link fence and approved landscaping. A six-foot high chain link fence will be installed around the perimeter of the 6.34 acres ofleased area. A dirt road will be graded to provide access from the existing OWD facilities to the lease area. A: \l1b\linda \is9807 .neg Page 1 ~ {fc.- -.- r _ _ . ~~~~ . city of chula vista - "'- planning department DiY OF environmental review section CHUL-'\ VISTA - - Discretionary actions involve the granting of a Conditional Use Permit. C. Compatibility with Zoning and Plans The current zoning on-site is PC (Planned Community) and the site is designated as Public & Quasi Public by the General Plan. The proposed project is in compliance with the Zoning Ordinance and General Plan. D. Identification of Environmental Effects An Initial Study conducted by the City of Chula Vista (including an attached Environmental Checklist form) determined that the proposed project will not have a significant environmental effect, and the preparation of an Environmental Impact Report will not be required. This Mitigated Negative Declaration has been prepared in accordance with Section 15070 of the State CEQA Guidelines. 1. Public Services Impact Fire The nearest fire station is located about 3 miles from the project site. The estimated response time is less than seven (7) minutes. The response time complies with the City Threshold Standards for fire and medical response time. . This review process shall be coordinated with other Regulatory Agency review processes to ensure that no aspect of the proposed project will have an adverse impact on project site soils, underground water table or the surrounding residents and the physical environment. Police The Police Department indicates the Average Response Time for Priority 1 calls is 4 minutes, 47 seconds. This is just slightly above the Threshold Standard of 4 minutes and 30 seconds. The response time for Priority 2 calls is 6 minutes and 21 seconds, and this does comply with the Threshold Standard. The Police Department will be able to provide adequate service to the proposed land use. 2. Utility and Service Systems Soils Based on the existing water tank reservoirs being on the project site for many years, there is no evidence of adverse soil conditions present that would affect the structural integrity of the proposed antennas or transmitter structure. A:\llb\linda\is9807.neg Page 2 - - Drainage The Engineering Division indicates that existing on-site and off-site drainage waters are adequately and naturally conveyed into nearby Poggi and Telegraph Canyons. Sewer The project as proposed does not require the installation of sewage facilities and therefore no impacts to these are noted. Streets/Traffic The Threshold Standards Policy requires that all intersections must operate at a Level of Service (LOS) "C" or better, with the exception that Level of Service (LOS) "D" may occur during the peak two hours of the day at signalized intersections. No intersection may reach an LOS "F" during the average weekday peak hour. Intersections of arterials with freeway ramps are exempt from this policy. The proposed project would comply with this Threshold Policy for the immediately affected Otay Lakes Road a six-lane prime arterial which would remain at a Level-of- Service "C" with project approval. Communication Systems According to an engineering statement prepared by Mullaney Engineering, Inc., and confirmed by Rick Matkin, City Building Service Superintendent and Dave Marsden, Communications Division Supervisor, the proposed radio facility will operate with a daytime power of 9kW and nighttime power of 4kW which is considered low pressure conditions. In accordance with a memo dated 12/21/98 and prepared by Mr. Matkin, the proposed radio frequency would not interfere with the city's emergency response communication system. The Federal Communications Commission (F.C.C.) recognizes that broadcast stations operating in full compliance with F.C.C's technical rules may still cause interference to nearby consumer electronic devices such as television receivers and general communication systems. In the event that the operation of the radio antennas create blanketing interferences, KURS Radio will fully comply with F.C.C. requirements by responding to complaints of blanketing interference in a timely manner, and assume the financial responsibility involved for correcting the problem. The period of time whereby the Radio station retains financial responsibility shall extend to one year after the blanketing area has been fully developed and occupied. This will be made a condition of approval of the conditional use permit. A:\llb\linda\is9807.neg Page 3 - - 3. Air Quality The applicant is not required to obtain a permit from the Air Quality Pollution Control District (APCD) for the installation of an emergency back-up generator. Standard requirements regarding the control of fugitive dust shall apply during the construction phase and these shall adequately address any temporary air pollution problems. 4. Aesthetics The proposed project will be subject to granting of a conditional use permit and the proposed antennas, transmitter structure, fencing and landscaping will be subj ect to Planning staff review and approval. This will help ensure the proposed project will complement future proposed development, minimize visual impacts and comply with all applicable design regulations and policies. The visual impacts ofthe whip antennas would not appear to be significant, however, the proposed fencing, equipment shed and landscaping need to be subj ect to a further coordinated review with adjacent development in order to reduce potential impacts. 5. Paleontological According to the Otay Ranch SPA One Final E.I.R. and the Otay Ranch Annexation Final Second-Tier E.I.R., the proposed project site is within the Upper Sandstone Unit ofthe Otay Formation, and has a high paleontological resource sensitivity. This unit of the Otay Formation has produced important vertebrate fossil remains. The potential impact to paleontological resources will be mitigated to a less than significant level by complying with the proposed mitigation. 6. Biological The site is located on a low hill and is covered mostly with a domestic barley or a similar grain crop. Two separate biota studies were conducted on-site for this project. The first report (Merkel & Associates 9/3/98) described the predominant non-native vegetation and the non-sensitive wildlife observed. The report further recommended that a focused search be done for the Western Burrowing Owl since rodent holes were observed on-site. The second survey (Pacific Southwest Biological Services, Inc, 9/11198) followed established Burrowing Owl Survey Protocol and encountered no sign of Burrowing Owl habitation or activity. The conclusion ofthe second survey was that the project site does not support Burrowing Owls because these species occupy flatter ground with vegetation of shorter stature than found at the site. No further studies were recommended. No mitigation will be required. A:\lIb'Jinda\is9807.neg Page 4 - -. E. Mitigation Necessary to Avoid Significant Effects Specific project mitigation measures are required to reduce potential environmental impacts identified in the initial study for this project to a level below significant. The mitigation measures "ill be made a condition ofproject approval of the Conditional Use Permit, as well as requirements ofthe attached Mitigation Monitoring Program (Attachment "A"). The applicant shall: 1. Coordinate at the design stage, the proposed fencing and landscaping features with the corresponding surrounding residential land developers. The proposed fencing and landscaping plans shall be subject to review and approval by the City Planning and Building Department. 2. Ensure that a paleontological monitor be on-site at all times during excavation and trenching for the proposed project. If and when fossils are discovered, the paleontologist shall recover them. The prepared fossils along with copies of all pertinent field notes, photos, and maps shall be deposited in a scientific institution containing paleontological collections such as the San Diego Natural History of Man. F. Consultation 1. Individuals and Organizations City of Chula Vista: Doug Reid, Planning Division Benjamin Guerrero, Planning Division Muna Cuthbert, Engineering Majed AI-Ghafry, Engineering Duane Bazzel, Planning Division Brad Kemp, Building Division Doug Perry, Fire Marshal Richard Preuss, Crime Prevention Joe Gamble, Planning Division/Parks & Rec. Sec. Peggy McCarberg, Deputy City Attorney Rick Matkin, Building Service Superintendent Dave Marsden, Communications Division Supervisor Chula Vista City School District: Dr. Lowell Billings Sweetwater Union High School District: Katy Wright Applicant's Agent: Helix Environmental Planning Consultants, Tamara S. Ching A: \llb'Jinda\is9807 . neg Page 5 - - 2. Documents Chula Vista General Plan (1989) and EIR (1989) Title 19, Chula Vista Municipal Code Otay Ranch SPA I Final E.I.R. Otay Ranch Annexation Tiered E.I.R. Supplemental Engineering Statement, Mullaney Eng. Inc. (12/4/98) Biota Survey, Merkel & Associates (9/3/98) Focused Survey for Burrowing Owl, Pacific Southwest Bio. Services, Inc. (9/11/98) Cultural Resource Survey, Gallegos & Associates, (10/98) 3. Initial Study This environmental determination is based on the attached Initial Study, any comments received on the Initial Study and any comments received during the public reyiew period for this Negative Declaration. The report reflects the independent judgement of the City of Chula Vista. Further information regarding the environmental review of this project is available from the Chula Vista Planning Department, 276 Fourth Avenue, Chula Vista, CA 91910. tl Date: January 11, 1999 Douglas . Reid Environmental Review Coordinator A: \lIb \linda \is9807 . neg Page 6 ~ ,...0..;;.. ...-...",:. -- - C HULA VISTA PLANNING AND BUILDING DEPARTMENT LOCATOR PROJECT PACIFIC SPANISH NETWORK INC PROJECT DESCRIPTION: C) APPLICANT: - I INITIAL STUDY PROJECT Otay Water District Parcel Request: Proposal for construction, operation and ADDRESS: South of Otay Lakes Rd. maintenance of five (5) 75-foot tall radio transmission SCALE: FILE NUMBER: monopoles. NORTH No Scale IS-99-15 h:\home\planning\carlos\locators\is9915.cdr 12/3/98 ---