Cities Index.
Initial Study (Mitigated Negative Declaration)

City Council/Public Finance and Economic Development Authority/Parking Authority
October 6, 2025

Document
Initial Study (Mitigated Negative Declaration)
Meeting
October 6, 2025
Body
City Council/Public Finance and Economic Development Authority/Parking Authority
Pages
71
Original file
112.0 MB
Text extracted from the city's file for reading and search. Open the original on cityofmerced.legistar1.com. That file is the official record.

Project Location
The subject site is located within the southeastern quadrant of Merced. The subject site is surrounded by residential uses to the south, east, and west. The surrounding uses include singlefamily homes, with the lots to the south being residential but not part of a subdivision development.

The properties to the north are within an Urban Transition (U-T) Zone, and are being used for agricultural purposes. The table below identifies the surrounding uses:

Table 1 Surrounding Uses (Refer to Attachment A)
Surrounding
Land
Existing Use
of Land
Zoning
Designation
City General Plan
Land Use Designation
North
Agriculture Low Density
Residential
(R-1-5)
Low Density
Residential (LD)
South
Single-Family Homes Urban
Transition
(U-T)
Low Density
Residential (LD)
East
Single-Family Subdivision
(S. Coffee Street)
Low Density
Residential
(R-1-6)
Low Density
Residential (LD)
West
Single-Family Subdivision Residential
Planned
Development
(R-P-D) #39
Low Density
Residential (LD)

1. INITIAL FINDINGS
A. The proposal is a project as defined by CEQA Guidelines Section 15378.

B. The Project is not a ministerial or emergency project as defined under CEQA Guidelines (Sections 15369 and 15369).

C. The Project is therefore discretionary and subject to CEQA (Section 15357).

D. The Project is not Categorically Exempt.

E. The Project is not Statutorily Exempt.

F. Therefore, an Environmental Checklist has been required and filed.

2. CHECKLIST FINDINGS
A. An on-site inspection was made by this reviewer on October 25, 2022.

B. The checklist was prepared on November 7, 2022.

C. The Merced Vision 2030 General Plan and its associated Environmental Impact Report [EIR (SCH# 2008071069)] were certified in January 2012. The document comprehensively examined the potential environmental impacts that may occur as a result of build-out of the 28,576-acre Merced (SUDP/SOI). For those significant environmental impacts (Loss of Agricultural Soils and Air Quality) for which no LIV
O
R
N
O
R
D

GIRTH CT
D
A
F
F
O
D
LI D
R

CAPELLA DR

BLIX AVE H
A
L
L
E
Y AV
E
D
E
NIS
E
D
R

VEGA CT

FRONTAGE RD

BALLANTYNE DR
B
E
G
O
N
AI D
R
RYE ST

MIRA CT
S HWY 99
ZIN
NIA
C
T
N HWY 99
P
L
UIM
D
R
S
C
O
F
F
E
E
S
T

DINKEY CREEK AVE
C
A
R
LY A
N
N
E
D
R

E GERARD AVE
B
RIM
M
E
R
R
D

E CHILDS AVE

BUCKNER RD
S HWY 99 OFF RAMP

S PARSONS AVE
E
C
A
M
P
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S
P
K
WY
¯
Subject Site

ATTACHMENT A ATTACHMENT A
1 8691 SF±
89 7 6 5 4 3 2
6725 SF±
16 15 14 13 12 11 10
6726 SF±
17 6726 SF±
18 6726 SF±
19 6726 SF±
20 6726 SF±
21 6651 SF±
25 6725 SF±
26 27 28 29 30 31 32 33 34 35 36 37 38 39 40 41 42 43 44 45 8691 SF±
6725 SF± 6725 SF± 6725 SF± 6725 SF± 6725 SF± 6725 SF±

TOT LOT
8351 SF±
BASIN
29260 SF±
6725 SF± 6725 SF± 6725 SF± 6999 SF±
6725 SF± 6725 SF± 6724 SF± 6724 SF± 6724 SF± 6724 SF± 6724 SF± 6724 SF± 6724 SF± 6724 SF± 6724 SF± 6724 SF± 6724 SF± 6724 SF± 6724 SF± 6724 SF± 6724 SF± 6724 SF± 6724 SF± 6724 SF± 6724 SF± 6724 SF±
22 6819 SF±
24 6492 SF±
23 6000 SF±

CAPELLA DRIVE

COFFEE STREET
Date:Checked By:Drawn By:Job. No.:

PROJECT DATA:SHEET NUMBER:PREPARED BY:

P.O. Box 349
Merced, CA 95341
Ph.: (209) 722-3200
Fax: (209) 722-3254
Date Description
PREPARED FOR:
405 West 19th Street
SHEET CONTENTS:No.

E N G I N E E R I N G & S U R V E Y I N G

Merced, CA 95340

VESTING TENTATIVE MAP FOR

CAPELLA TERRACE
385 SOUTH COFFEE STREET, MERCED, CA
061-261-026-000

CITY OF MERCED, MERCED COUNTY CALIFORNIA

VESTING TENTATIVE MAPTOPOGRAPHIC SURVEY

FORTIS GENERAL
CONSTRUCITON, SAM SAHOTA25455 PRADO DE LOS PERAS,CALABASAS, CA 91302 06/20/22
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October 19, 2022
File No. 01222246.00
Sam Sahota
8499 Monte Cristo Avenue
Livingston, CA 95334
209-394-7986
[email protected]
Subject: Air Quality (AQ), Vehicle Miles Traveled (VMT), and Greenhouse Gas (GHG) Analyses for the Capella Terrace Land Use Project Located in Merced, Merced County, California
Dear Mr. Sahota:

Mr. Sam Sahota has requested SCS Engineers (SCS ) to provide an AQ, GHG, and VMT analyses for submittal to the City of Merced, California. It is our understanding that the Capella Terrace Project (project) is required by the City of Merced (City) to analyze the projects impact on air quality, GHG, and VMT; therefore, SCS provides Capella Terrace with the following letter.

PROJECT BACKGROUND
SCS understand Capella Terrace is developing a 9.91-acre subdivision project located at 385 South Coffee Street, Merced, CA. The subdivision is approximately 45 lots ranges between 6,726 to 8,691 square feet.

The proposed project will consist of a constructing a single-family residential subdivision. The City is requesting that a AQ, GHG, and VMT analyses be performed.

AIR QUALITY

REGULATORY CONTEXT
Ambient Air Quality Standards
Under the California Clean Air Act (CAA) establishes maximum ambient concentrations for the ten criteria air pollutants (CAPs), known as the California Ambient Air Quality Standards (CAAQS). The six CAPs are ozone (O3), nitrogen dioxide (NO2), sulfur dioxide (SO2), carbon monoxide (CO), lead (Pb), particulate matter 10 and 2.5 microns in size (PM10 and PM2.5), hydrogen sulfide, sulfates, visibility reducing particles, and vinyl chloride. Concentrations above these time-averaged limits are anticipated to cause adverse health effects to sensitive receptors. Table 1 shows the standards for the various averaging times for criteria pollutants under the CAAQS. The San Juaquin Valley Air Basin (SJVAB) is in nonattainment for the following CAAQS criteria pollutants: ozone, PM10, PM2.5.

APPENDIX A

ATTACHMENT C
Mr. Sam Sahota
October 19, 2022

Page 2 ends

TABLE 1

STATE AND FEDERAL AMBIENT AIR QUALITY STANDARDS
Pollutant Averaging Time
Standard
parts per million or
microgram per cubic meter
CAAQS
Ozone
1 hour 0.09
8 hour 0.070
CO
8 hour 9
1 hour 20
NO2
Annual Mean 0.03
1 hour 0.18
SO2
24 hour 0.04
3 hour N/A
1 hour 0.25
PM10
Annual Mean (20)
24 hour (50)
PM2.5
Annual arithmetic
mean (12)
24 hour N/A
Pb
Rolling 3-Moth
Average N/A
30 Days (1.5)
Hydrogen Sulfide 1 hour 0.03
Vinyl Chloride 24 hour 0.01
Sulfate 24 hour (25)
Visibility Reducing
Particles 8 hour extinction of 0.23 per km
California State Implementation Plan (SIP)
California's SIP is comprised of the State’s overall air quality attainment plans to meet the NAAQS as well as the individual air quality attainment plans of each Air Quality Management District (AQMD) and Air Pollution Control District (APCD). The items included in the California SIP are listed in 40 CFR Chapter I, Part 52, Subpart F §52.220. The California SIP is a compilation of new and previously submitted plans, programs (such as monitoring, modeling, permitting, etc.), AQMD and APCD rules, State regulations, and federal controls for each air basin and California's overall air quality. Many of the items within the California SIP rely on the same control strategies, such as emissions standards for cars and heavy trucks, fuel regulations, and limitations on emissions from consumer products. AQMDs and APCDs, as well as other agencies such as the Bureau of Automotive Repair, prepare draft California SIP elements and submit them to CARB for review and approval. The California CAA identifies California Air Resource Board (CARB) as the lead agency for compiling items for incorporation into the California SIP, and submitting the items to the CalEPA for approval. San Juaquin Valley Air Basin (SJVAB) is in nonattainment for ozone, PM10, PM2.5 and have approved SIPs.

APPENDIX A
Mr. Sam Sahota
October 19, 2022

Page 3 ends

San Joaquin Valley Air Pollution Control District (SJVAPCD) The SJVAPCD is a regional agency which regulates stationary sources of air pollution within the SJVAB whose boundaries are contiguous with the County’s boundaries. Its primary purpose is to enforce local, state, and federal air quality regulations in order to satisfy ambient air quality standards and protect the public from harm due to poor air quality. The SJVAPCD regulates air quality through its permit authority over most types of stationary emission sources and through its planning and review activities.

Additionally, the SJVAPCD regulates open and agricultural burning and is responsible for air quality monitoring, preparing clean air plans, and responding to citizen complaints regarding air quality.

All projects in Merced County and in the community of Merced are subject to applicable SJVAPCD rules and regulations in effect at the time of construction and operation. The SJVAPCD has adopted air quality thresholds for determination of impact significance for projects subject to CEQA review. Air quality significance criteria is provided in Table 2.

TABLE 2
AIR QUALITY THREHOLDS OF SIGNIFICANCE – CRITERIA POLLUTANTS Pollutant/Precursor
Construction
Emissions
Operational Emissions
Permitted
Equipment and
Activities
Permitted
Equipment and
Activities
Tons/Year
CO 100 100 100
NOx 10 10 10
ROG 10 10 10
SOx 27 27 27
PM10 15 15 15
PM2.5 15 15 15
SJVAPCD, AQ Thresholds of Significance – Criteria Pollutants (March 19, 2015) Methodology
The Proposed Project’s short-term construction-related criteria pollutant emissions were estimated using California Emissions Estimator Model (CalEEMod) Version 2020.4.0. The CalEEMod used default values for construction and operational emissions estimate. Because the City does not provide criteria pollutant emission thresholds, estimated project-related criteria pollutant emissions were compared to the SJVAPCD construction and operational criteria pollutant significant criteria shown in Table 2.

Merced County is classified as nonattainment under the CAAQS for ozone, PM10, and PM2.5; therefore, an applicable SIP or other applicable air quality plans have been developed and approved by the State of California. The SJVAPCD has developed significance criteria for criteria air pollutants as shown in Table 2, if the project’s emission do not exceed the significance criteria then the project is considered to have a less than significant impact on air quality.

APPENDIX A
Mr. Sam Sahota
October 19, 2022

Page 4 ends

Construction
Construction of the project would require demolition, site preparation, grading, building/infrastructure, paving and architectural coating. As shown in Table 3 construction criteria emission would not exceed the SJVAPCD significance criteria. Less than Significant.

TABLE 3

MAXIMUM ANNUAL CONSTRUCTION EMISSIONS
Pollutant/Precursor
Construction
Emissions
Significant
Criteria
Exceed
Significant
Tons/Year
CO 1.66 100 No
NOx 1.59 10 No
ROG 0.83 10 No
SOx .003 27 No
Total PM10 0.26 15 No
Total PM2.5 0.16 15 No
Operation
Operation of the project would emit criteria pollution from area, energy, mobile, stationary, waste, and water sources. Table 4 shows the emissions from the operation of the project with 45 single family homes. As shown in Table 4 project emission would not exceed the SJVAPCD significance threshold.

Therefore, operation of the project would not adversely impact regional air quality. Less than Significant.

TABLE 4

MAXIMUM ANNUAL OPERATIONAL EMISSIONS
Pollutant/Precursor
Construction
Emissions
Significant
Criteria
Exceed
Significant
Tons/Year
CO 2.46 100 No
NOx 0.59 10 No
ROG 0.63 10 No
SOx 0.01 27 No
Total PM10 0.47 15 No
Total PM2.5 0.14 15 No
Cumulative Impacts
Although SJVAPCD does not have any quantitative cumulative significant criteria, air quality is cumulative in nature. CAAQS are predicated on past, present, and future emissions; therefore, if project-related

APPENDIX A
Mr. Sam Sahota
October 19, 2022

Page 5 ends

emission are found to have a less-than-significant impact in the near-term conditions, then cumulative impacts would also be less-than-significant. Project-related air quality impacts were found to be lessthan-significant in the near-term conditions; therefore, the project would not adversely affect regional air quality in the future. Less than Significant.

GREENHOUSE GAS EMISSIONS

CLIMATE CHANGE
Global climate change is a change in the average weather of the Earth, which can be measured by wind patterns, storms, precipitation, and temperature. It is exacerbated by GHGs, which trap heat in the atmosphere (called the “greenhouse” effect). GHGs include carbon dioxide, methane, and nitrous oxide, and are emitted by natural processes and human activities. Potential adverse effects of global climate change include a reduction in the quality and supply of water to the state from the Sierra snowpack, a rise in sea levels, and changes to ecosystems and the natural environment.

Emissions of GHGs contributing to global climate change are attributable in large part to human activities associated with the industrial/manufacturing, utility, transportation, residential, and agricultural sectors.

Therefore, the cumulative global emissions of GHGs contributing to global climate change can be attributed to every nation, region, city, and virtually every individual on Earth. A project’s GHG emissions are at a micro-scale relative to global emissions, but could result in a cumulatively considerable incremental contribution to a significant cumulative macro-scale impact.

REGULATORY CONTEXT
The City of Merced has developed and approved a Climate Action Plan (October 1, 2012). The City of Merced Climate Action Plan provides strategies for reduction of GHG emissions. The SJVAPC Guidance for Valley Land-use Agencies in Addressing GHG Emission Impacts for New Projects under CEQA (December 17, 2009) provides guidance for addressing GHG analysis and implements a 29 percent reduction in project GHG emissions.

METHODOLOGY
The Proposed Project’s short-term construction-related GHG emissions were estimated using the California Emissions Estimator Model (CalEEMod) Version 2020.4.0. The CalEEMod used default values for construction and operational emissions estimate.

SIGNIFICANCE CRITERIA
The Climate Action Plan provides strategies and actions for new developments in Part 4: Climate Action Plan Strategies and Actions. Consistence with the Climate action Plan strategies and action would show the project would not significantly increase GHG emissions in the future. The SJVAPCD criteria is to reduce GHG emission by 29 percent over business-as-usual.

APPENDIX A
Mr. Sam Sahota
October 19, 2022

Page 6 ends

Construction GHG Emissions
Construction of the project would emit GHGs during the operation of heavy equipment. Table 5 provides an estimate of project related GHG emissions per construction year. Detailed calculations are provided in Appendix A.

TABLE 5

CONSTRUCTION RELATED GHG EMISSIONS
Construction Year CO2e Emissions
MT/year
2023 264.77
2024 131.69
Maximum Year Emissions 264.77
Operational GHG Emissions
Operation of the project would emit GHGs from area, energy, mobile, stationary, waste, and water sources. Table 5 provides an estimate of project related GHG emissions per construction year. Detailed calculations are provided in Appendix A.

TABLE 5

ESTIMATION OF PROJECT RELATED GHG EMISSIONS
Operation CO2e Emissions
MT/year
Total GHG Emissions 652
Project’s Consistency with City’s Climate Action Plan
The greatest source of GHG emissions emitted from the project is from mobile sources (refer to Appendix A). It is important that the project be consistent with reduced VMT and strategy provided in the Climate Action Plan. As shown below, in the Vehicle Miles Traveled section the location and connectivity of the project would reduce the overall VMT and therefore, reduce GHG emissions. It is anticipated that the location of the project would reduce residential VMT by greater than 50 percent (refer to Vehicle Miles Traveled Section). Table 6 shows GHG emissions based on the reduction of VMT estimated in Vehicle Miles Traveled Section, as shown emissions are reduced by 39 percent, CalEEMod output files are provided in Appendix B.

TABLE 6

REDUCED VMT RELATED GHG EMISSIONS
Operation CO2e Emissions
MT/year
Total GHG Emissions 396
The project is also consistent with the City’s Climate Action Plan, Strategy EM 1.5 Mobility Development Review Polices due to the project’s connectivity with the adjacent neighborhoods, nearby transit stops on Gerard Avenue (Route M5 – Merced South-East), and schools which reduce mobile GHG emissions.

APPENDIX A
Mr. Sam Sahota
October 19, 2022

Page 7 ends

The project would not create any significant new sources of GHG emissions and would comply with the City’s Climate Action Plan and SJVAPCD emissions reduction requirements; therefore, the project would not contribute to adverse impacts associated with cumulative GHG emissions. Less than Significant.

VEHICLE MILES TRAVELED
Regulatory Context
Pursuant to Senate Bill 743 (passed in 2013), the metric for analyzing transportation impacts under the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) officially changed over on July 1, 2020 from level of service to VMT. The 2030 City of Merced General Plan identifies the improvement project and strategies that have and will assist the City of Merced in reducing it vehicles miles traveled.

Vehicle Miles Traveled Analysis
Calculation of VMT shown in the CalEEMod output files in Appendix A, Section 4.0 Operational Detail – Mobile, 4.2 Trip Summary Information shows that the project’s annual VMT is 1,222.52 miles. This is unmitigated VMT and does not show reduction for location of the project to transportation, schools, connectivity, employment centers, and shopping.

The project is located within one mile of the E Garard Avenue bus stop, and the bus route currently passes between East Childs and East Garard Avenues via South Coffee Street (M-5 Merced South-East bus route), which will provide the entrance to the project. The project is located within 0.1 miles of the Pioneer Elementary School less than a mile from Golden Valley High School and Joe Herb Park, and is adjacent to an existing single-family residential subdivisions. The project would be connected to the adjacent subdivision via roadway with sidewalks, which would provide easy access to transport and other amenities. The project is located within 3.5 miles of the city center where the majority of employers are located. Shopping centers and markets are located throughout Merced, within a distance of three miles from the project site.

The CalEEMod trip generation (Institute of Transportation Engineers (ITE), Trip Generation Manual, 10th Edition) provides for trip lengths of for home to work as 10.8-mile, home to shop as 7.3-miles, and home to other (schools, recreation) as 7.5-miles. As shown above the distance to from home to work, home to shopping, and home to schools is less than half these default distance provided by the ITE; therefore, given the location of the project, it is expected to reduce VMT by more 50 percent. Less than Significant.

APPENDIX A
Sam Sahota Mr.
2 , 202 19 October
8 Page

CONCLUSION
significant a impacts, AQ Implementation of the project would not result in result in a significant regional . within the City criteria VMT would comply with and , increase in GHG emissions Sincerely,
Patrick Sullivan Erin Quinn
Vice President Senior Project Director
SCS Engineers SCS Engineers

APPENDIX A
~ f fl/JI ~ 7
VST Specific Plan
2042 Horizon Vear Tri
15%
LEGEND
.. -------.
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@ Study Intersection
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TABLE 4-1
Project Trip Generation - Buildout

DAILY TRIP ENDS (ADTI WEEKDAY AM PEAK HOUR
LAND USE Quantity IN:OUT VOLUME

RATE VOLUME RATE

SPLIT IN OUT
R-1
1,298 D.U. 7.32 9,502 0.42 23:77 125 420 Residential (220) R-4 Student
894 D.U. 4.12 3,684 0.17 28:72 43 109 Residential (225) R-2, R-3, & R-4 Market (220) 1,617 D.U. 7.32 11,837 0.42 23:77 155 517 Town Center Mixed Use (231) 108 D.U. 3.44 372 0.30 28:72 9 23 Retail Mixed (875) 307,500 s.f 22.88 7,036 0.58 64:36 114 64 NC/Retail and Community 279,500 s.f 22.88 6,395 0.58 64:36 104 59 Commercial (875) Hotel/Office (710) 275,000 s.f 9.74 2,679 1.16 86:14 274 45 Elementary School (520) 600 Students 1.89 1,134 0.67 54:46 217 185 Parks (411) 67.74 acres 1.95 132 0.02 59:41 1 1
SUBTOTAL TRIP GENERATION 42,771 1,042 1,423
Internal Trips (NCHRP Internal Trip Capture Estimation Tool) 1 11,498 350 318 Internal Bike Trips (20%) 2,300 70 64
Internal Pedestrian Trips (10%) 1,150 35 32
Internal Vehicle Trips (70%) 8,049 245 223
Bike Trips (20%) 6,255 138 221
Pedestrian Trips (10%) 3,127 69 111
Transit Trips (5%) 1,564 35 55
TOTAL EXTERNAL VEHICLE TRIP GENERATION 20,327 450 718
Pass-By Trips (5%) 1,016 22 36
TOTAL EXTERNAL TRIP GENERATION I 19,311 I I 428 I 682 I Source: Generation factors from ITE Trip Generation Manual, 10th Edition.

Trip ends are one-way traffic movements, entering or leaving. The numbers in parenthesis are ITE land use codes.

WEEKDAY PM PEAK HOUR
IN:OUT VOLUME
RATE

TOTAL SPLIT IN OUT TOTAL
545 0.45 63:37 365 214 579
152 0.31 52:48 145 133 278
672 0.44 63:37 444 260 704
32 0.36 70:30 27 12 39
178 1.95 50:50 300 300 600
163 1.95 50:50 273 273 546
319 1.08 16:84 48 250 298
402 0.17 48:52 49 53 102
2 0.40 55:45 15 12 27
2,465 1,666 1,507 3173
668 426 427 853
134 85 85 171
67 43 43 85
468 298 299 597
359 248 216 464
180 124 108 232
90 62 54 116
1,168 806 702 1,508
58 40 35 75
1,110 I I 766 I 667 I 1,433

1. Daily internal trip capture rate basued upon PM peak results from the NCHRP Internal Trip Capture Estimation Tool. 90% of trips associated with the elementary school were assumed to be internal trips since the school will serve residents of the VST site. 100% of Park trips are internal trips.

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