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HomeMy WebLinkAboutRCC AGENDA PK 1998/10/05 - - negative declaration PROJECT NAME: Costco Gasoline Station PROJECT LOCATION: 1144 Broadway, Chula Vista, CA. ASSESSOR'S PARCEL NO.: 618-200-50 PROJECT APPLICANT: Costco CASE NO: IS-99-03 DATE: August 27, 1998 A. Proiect Settin~ The environmental setting for the project consists of a graded, paved landscaped and fully developed 9.03 acre commercial site located at 1144 Broadway, Chula Vista, CA. The subject site contains the Costco wholesale facility, a tire center, a commercial center, and ancillary loading docks, concrete walkways, asphalt paving and landscaped areas. The property and general surrounding area are relatively level, at elevations ranging from about 50 to 55 feet above mean sea level (MSL). The property is bordered on the north and south by commercial retail centers, on the east by Broadway, a major arterial, with commercial development east of this street, and undeveloped properties to the west. The present zoning for the site is CC (central commercial) and the General Plan designation is Commercial Retail. Properties to the north and south have similar zoning and General Plan designations. Properties to the east are zoned CTP (Transportation Commercial) and the General Plan designation is Commercial Retail. Properties west of the project site are zoned ILP (Limited Industrial development) and are designated for Research and Light Manufacturing by the General Plan. The proposed fueling station will be located in an area presently used as parking east of the existing Costco facility near the intersection of Broadway and Oxford Street. This area is paved and contains scattered landscaped areas. No animal or plant species listed as rare, threatened or endangered by local, State or Federal resource conservation and regulatory agencies are known to be present in this fully developed and disturbed site. ~{lt- -.- ......,;"~~- ~-=~ city of chula vista planning department cnv OF , ..."'. .f..... ,. _. a,..... _ I - ... _.., _. ~. n.n 11 ~ \',c-r~ - - B. Project Description The proposed project consists of the construction of an automated fuel dispensing facility for Costco members only as an accessory use to the existing Costco facility. The propose d station will include three dispenser islands with two double-sided gasoline dispensers at each island, allowing for a total of 12 automobile fueling positions. The facility is proposed to be covered by a single canopy. The gasoline will be dispensed by debit or credit payment card only. No attendant will be immediately available, however, the operation will be continuously monitored via video cameras and alarms from the main Costco store. An emergency pump shut-off switch will also be installed in the main store building. The applicant proposes to install the latest technology to prevent environmental mishaps. The fuel tanks, lines and monitoring equipment will be installed by state certified contractors. The installation of the underground tanks, fuel lines, control panels and emergency monitoring and response devices and equipment will be subject to compliance with local, state and federal regulations as applicable. The applicant proposes to remove 51 existing parking spaces and about 300 sq. ft. of landscaped area in order to construct the fueling station. The applicant will replace 45 parking spaces elsewhere and provide 900 sq. ft. of landscaped area throughout the project site. The 51 parking spaces to be removed are not considered to be in a prime location for patrons of the Costco facility. The commercial center located on the project site, including the Costco facility would be in compliance with the parking requirements with the parking requirements of the City's zoning ordinance. The proposed fueling facility can not be built within drainage and/or sewer easements per City Policy. The applicant will provide landscaping for the parking and perimeter areas in accordance with the City of Chula Vista's Landscape Manual. C. Compatibility with Zonin~ and Plans The existing zoning on the project site is C-C (Central Commercial Zone) and the General Plan designation is Commercial-Retail. The proposed project will be compatible with these land use designations with the approval of a conditional use permit. 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 Negative Declaration has been prepared in accordance with Section 15070 of the State CEQA Guidelines. The following impacts have been determined to be less than significant. A discussion of each of these less than significant impacts from the proposed project follows. - - 1. Public Services Impact Fire The nearest fire station is located about 1/2 mile 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 times. The fire department will review and approve the specifications of the under ground fuel tanks and ancillary connections. A permit will be required for the installation of the proposed underground fuel tanks and equipment. In addition to the fire department, the project will also require permits from City Building Division and the County of San Diego Environmental Health Hazardous Material Management Division relating to the proper installation of underground fuel tanks, fuel lines, electrical equipment and emergency shut-off controls. These standard procedures will help ensure that no aspect of the proposed project will have an adverse impact on the soils, underground water table or the physical surrounding environment. Police Department The Police Department indicates that adequate service can be provided to the project site. The response time for Priority 1 and 2 calls are within range of the City Threshold Standards 2. Utility and Service Systems Soils Based on previous geotechnical studies conducted on the project site there is no evidence of adverse soil conditions present. The applicant will be required to prepare a project site specific soils report and comply with the recommendations of the investigation as a standard condition of project approval. Drainage The Engineering Division indicates the existing on-site and off-site drainage facilities are adequate to serve the proposed project. The project site is not located within a flood plain. The City's Engineering Division will review and approve the drainage/improvement plans including the necessary connections to existing storm drains. The Engineering Division states that the proposed facility will not be allowed to be built within drainage and/or sewer easement per City requirements. (M:\home\planninglkeithlnegdec. romans) Page3 - - 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 intersections 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. The Engineering Division has reviewed the project as proposed and has determined that it would not adversely affect the existing level of service for surrounding streets and intersections. The project would be associated with a Level of Service "C" for Broadway and Oxford Street. Based on the submitted traffic study (prepared by Linscott, Law & Greenspan on 6/25/98), the Average Daily Traffic (ADT) generated by the project traffic, combined with the existing Costco facility and adjacent business center will generate in excess of 200 peak-hour vehicle trips. The Engineering Division has analyzed this figure and has determined that it would result in a less than significant impact to existing circulation. The traffic study shows that the stacking ability of vehicles waiting, as necessary, to fuel up would be enhanced by the proposed siting of the fueling pumps in relation to the location of existing driveways. The project stacking plan shows that each of the six fuel pumping lanes would have the ability to process up to six vehicles before these woul d reach driveway (ingress/egress) off of Oxford Street. The stacking, if it were to occur, would not extend into any public roadway. 3. Aesthetics The proposed project will be subject to the review and approval of the Design Review Committee. The proposed site plan, architectural design, landscaping and lighting plans will be subject to reviewed by planning staff and the DRC to ensure the finished product will complement existing development and comply with applicable design policies and regulations. E. Miti~ation Necessary to A void Si~nificant Effects No specific mitigation will be required at this time. (M:lhome\planninglkeilhlnegdec. romans) Page4 - - F. Consultation 1. Individuals and Oq~anizations City of Chula Vista: Barbara Reid, Environmental Projects Manager Benjamin Guerrero, Planning Majed AI-Ghafry, Engineering Duane Bazzel, Planning Garry Williams, Planning Brad Kemp, Building Division J. Geering, Fire Dept. Richard Preuss, Crime Prevention Peggy McCarberg, Acting Deputy City Attorney Chula Vista City School District: Dr. Lowell Billings Sweetwater Union High School District: Katy Wright Applicant's Agent: Barghavsen, Consulting Engineers 2. Documents Chula Vista General Plan (1989) and EIR (1989) Title 19, Chula Vista Municipal Code Traffic Impact Analysis, Linscott, Law & Greenspan (June 25, 1998) Soil Report, Mulvanny Partnership, (January 2, 1996) 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 review 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. ~ ~/o/(~C1~ ~ercl) ENVIRONMENTAL EVIEW COORDINATOR EN 6 (Rev. 5/93) (M:\homelplanninglkeithlnegdec.rOl11ans) PageS