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HomeMy WebLinkAboutAgenda Statement 1980/11/18 Item 7, 7A .,. COUNCIL AGENDA STATEMENT Item .. 7, 7a Meeting Date 11 /18/80 Public hearing - Consideration of Candidate CEQA findings relating to EIR-81-1 ITEM TITLE: for development of ladera Villas Resolution //)3/~ Adopting CEQA findings and 'statement of overriding consideration for development of ladera Villas SUBMITTED BY: A. BACKGROUND Director, of Planning ~ (4/5ths Vote: Yes No~) The EIR for this project concluded that significant environmental effects would result. Therefore, it is necessary that the City Council adopt the appropriate CEQA findings and a statement of overriding considerations if'it approves the project. B. RECOMMENDATION 1. Find that, subject to standard development regulations and the conditions of approval, the project will not result in significant environmental impacts in the following areas: a. Geology/soils (EIR Sec. 3.2) b. Archaeology (EIR Sec. 3.4) c. Schools (EIR Sec. 3.5) d. Biology (EIR Sec. 3.3) e. Those issued identified in Section 4.0 of the EIR. 2. Find that the implementation of the project would result in a significant land form alteration that could be partially avoided and adopt the CEQA findings (attached) and the statement of overriding considerations (Paragraph D of this report). C. ANALYSIS 1. canyon in the is not The EIR for this project found that the filling of a minor north-south trending near the westerly edge of the subject property constitutes a significant impact area of land form alteration. This canyon is approximately 500 feet in length and plainly visible from Telegraph Canyon Road because of its dogleg configuration. Considering the major east-west canyons that characterize the E1 Rancho del Rey area, which are some 2~ miles in length, and some of the side canyons associated with that major canyon system, it is somewhat difficult for me to concur with the EIR. Much more significant canyons have already been filled in connection with E1 Rancho del Rey Unit 5 and the Casa Del Rey tracts, and those developments are consistent with Council's direction during the time of consideration of the Specific Plan for E1 Rancho del Rey. Briefly stated, that direction was not to apply the Hillside Modifying District to E1 Rancho del Rey, but to preserve the main leg of Rice Canyon and portions of the middle and southerly legs, and to retain a substantial natural area on the north side of Telegraph Canyon Road. The subject development conforms with that Council direction and is consistent with Council's approval of E1 Rancho del Rey Unit 5 and Casa Del Rey to the west of the SUbject property. 2. The above commentary notwithstanding, the icant impact in the area of land form alteration. one of the following findings in order to approve fact is that the EIR did find a signif- That being the 'case; Council must make the project: , ' ! (j"J( b--' continued Form A-113 (Rev. 11 179) ~_.- ------ "'""'.~~---~". - - -_._. "."..,~ " Agreement____ Resolution X Res. EIR-81-l Other Res.EIR-8l-l-A ENVIRONMENTAL DOCUMENT: Attached EXHIBITS Ordinance____ Plat_____ Notification List Submitted on I -I Page 2, Item" Meeting Date 7, 7a 11/18/80 a. That measures have been taken to avoid significant impact; or b. That specific considerations make such measures infeasible. 3. A great deal of the land form alteration which would result is a consequence of the extension of street "A" into the main onsite canyon and the required fill for the street and adjoining lots. This could be avoided by clustering the units at a higher elevation or reducing the number of units. However, a cluster development in this loca- tion is not desirable. Such clusters should not be located at ~he ends of cul-de-sacs when the only access to the cul-de-sac is through a development of single family homes. The alternative of reducing the number of units is difficult to support inasmuch as the density of the proposed development is only 2.6 DU/acre while the El Rancho del Rey Specific Plan authorizes a density of 3-5 DU/acre. Further, the staff recommendation requires the developer to participate in the improvement of Paseo Ranchero. This would include the eventual construction of a major drainage facility at the intersection with Telegraph Canyon Road, the crossing of designated open spaces along Telegraph Canyon Road and the south leg of Rice Canyon (El Rancho del Rey Specific Plan) in addition to the normal costs of constructing a four lane residential collector street. A reduction in the number of dwelling units probably would result in an economically infeasible project. D. DVERRIDING CONSIDERATIONS In my judgment the following specific considerations override the .impact of fill- ingthe small canyon near the westerly edge of the subject property. It is recommended that these considerations be adopted as a statement of overriding consideration. 1. More significant canyons than the minor canyon near the westerly edge of this tract have been filled in conjunction with developments to the west. 2. Council decided in its approval of the El Rancho del Rey Specific Plan to preserve the major canyon areas in El Rancho del Rey and in exchange therefore to allow filling and alteration of many of the minor canyons. 3. A cluster development in order to minimize the grading is not appropriate in this location at the end of a cul-de-sac when the only access to the cul-de-sac is through a single family area. 4. A reduction in the number of units is not justified as the adopted Specific Plan for the area allows 3-5 DU/acre and the proposal is for only 2.6 DU/acre. 5. Because of the requirement for participation in the cost of extending Paseo Ranchero, a lower density probably would not be economically feasible. by the City Counsil of Chula Vista, California - /0171-; Dated / /-;,f- f ()