MEETING INFORMATION
Wednesday, October 25, 2023
6:30 p.m.
Council Chambers | Building 2
10601 Magnolia Ave • Santee, CA 92071
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IN-PERSON ATTENDANCE
Members of the public who wish to view the Council Meeting live, can watch the live taping of the Council meeting in the Council Chambers on the meeting date and time listed above.
LIVE PUBLIC COMMENT
Members of the public who wish to comment on matters on the City Council agenda or during Non-Agenda Public Comment may appear in person and submit a speaker slip, before the item is called. Your name will be called when it is time to speak.
PLEASE NOTE: Public Comment will be limited to 3 minutes and speaker slips will only be accepted until the item is called. The timer will begin when the participant begins speaking.
October 25, 2023 | 6:30 p.m.
2 ROLL CALL: Mayor John W. Minto
Vice Mayor Laura Koval – District 3
Council Member Rob McNelis – District 1
Council Member Ronn Hall – District 2
Council Member Dustin Trotter – District 4
LEGISLATIVE INVOCATION: Guardian Angels Catholic Church – Reverend André Ramos
PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
PRESENTATION: San Diego County Library – Santee Branch
CONSENT CALENDAR:
PLEASE NOTE: Consent Calendar items are considered routine and will be approved by one motion, with no separate discussion prior to voting. The public, staff or Council Members may request specific items be removed from the Consent Calendar for separate discussion or action. Speaker slips for this category must be presented to the City Clerk at the start of the meeting. Speakers are limited to 3 minutes.
(1) Approval of Reading by Title Only and Waiver of Reading in Full of Ordinances and Resolutions on the Agenda. (City Clerk – Ortiz)
(2) Approval of Payment of Demands as Presented. (Finance – Jennings) (3) Approval of the Expenditure of $72,440.21 for September 2023 Legal Services. (Finance – Jennings)
NON-AGENDA PUBLIC COMMENT (15 minutes):
Persons wishing to address the City Council regarding items not on the posted agenda may do so at this time. In accordance with State law, Council may not take action on an item not scheduled on the Agenda. If appropriate, the item will be referred to the City Manager or placed on a future agenda. This first Non-Agenda Public Comment period is limited to a total of 15 minutes. Additional Non-Agenda Public Comment is received prior to Council Reports.
October 25, 2023 | 6:30 p.m.
3 PUBLIC HEARING:
(4) Public Hearing for Conditional Use Permit P2022-10 and Mitigated Negative Declaration AEIS2022-11 for an Auto Center with Two Dealership Buildings, a Detail Building, a Body Shop, an Automatic Carwash and Related Site Improvements on a 13.1-Acre Site Located at 10335 Mission Gorge Road (APN 384-091-01, -13, -14) in the General Commercial (GC) Zone (Applicant: Kevin Perry, HED Design). (Planning and Building – Sawa)
Recommendation:
1. Conduct and close the Public Hearing; and
2. Adopt Mitigated Negative Declaration AEIS2022-11 and the Mitigation Monitoring and Reporting Program as complete and in compliance with the provisions of CEQA per the Resolution and authorize filing a Notice of Determination; and
3. Adopt the Resolution approving Conditional Use Permit P2022-10.
NON-AGENDA PUBLIC COMMENT (Continued):
All public comment not presented within the first Non-Agenda Public Comment period above will be heard at this time.
CITY COUNCIL REPORTS:
CITY MANAGER REPORTS:
CITY ATTORNEY REPORTS:
CLOSED SESSION:
ADJOURNMENT:
October 25, 2023 | 6:30 p.m.
4 Oct 05 SPARC Council Chamber
Oct 09 Community Oriented Policing Committee Council Chamber Oct 11 Council Meeting Council Chamber
Oct 25 Council Meeting Council Chamber
Nov 01 SPARC Council Chamber
Nov 08 Council Meeting Council Chamber
Nov 13 Community Oriented Policing Committee Council Chamber The Santee City Council welcomes you and encourages your continued interest and involvement in the City’s decision-making process.
For your convenience, a complete Agenda Packet is
available for public review at City Hall and on the
City’s website at www.CityofSanteeCA.gov.
The City of Santee complies with the Americans with Disabilities Act. Upon request, this agenda will be made available in appropriate alternative formats to persons with disabilities, as required by Section 12132 of the American with Disabilities Act of 1990 (42 USC § 12132). Any person with a disability who requires a modification or accommodation in order to participate in a meeting should direct such request to the City Clerk’s Office at (619) 258-4100, ext. 112 at least 48 hours before the meeting, if possible.
BOARDS, COMMISSIONS & COMMITTEES
OCTOBER & NOVEMBER MEETINGS
LEGAL SERVICES BILLING SUMMARY Attachment 1
SEPTEMBER 2023
CURRENT INVOICE
DESCRIPTION AMOUNT NUMBER NOTES
Retainer $ 17,180.80 976978
1001.00.1201.51020 17,180.80
Labor & Employment:
Labor & Employment 4,302.50 976938
1001.00.1201.51020 4,302.50
Litigation & Claims:
Litigation & Claims 4,400.00 976939
Affordable Housing Coalition of San Diego County 235.50 976943 Allan Family Trust Litigation 715.00 976953
Lee Receivership 55.00 976949
Parcel 4 Litigation 55.00 976947
Sky Ranch Potential Homeowner/HOA Litigation 300.00 976948 1001.00.1201.51020 5,760.50
Special Projects (General Fund):
Community Oriented Policing 19,349.36 976940
Water Quality 660.00 976944
Prop 218 4,538.75 976945
Entertainment District 632.50 976946
Advanced Records Center Services for PRA 2,008.00 976950 Cannabis 3,373.50 976951
American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) 110.00
General Telecommunications Work 1,622.50 976952
1001.00.1201.51020 32,294.61
Mobile Home Rent Control Commission 825 976942 2901.04.4106.51020 825.00
Third-Party Reimbursable:
Lantern Crest (Applicant Initiated) 1,876.80 976955 grd1383a.40.05 MSCP Subarea Plan 3,508.80 976962 spp2101a.93.05
Santee Auto Center CUP 163.20 976957 cup2210a.10.05
Redevelopment of Carlton Oaks Golf Course 2,652.00 976954 cup1906a.10.05 Tyler St. Subdivision 204.00 976964 tm17001a.10.05
Soapy Joe's Car Wash 40.80 976956 mr23001a.10.05
Habitat for Humanity Townhomes 3,427.20 976959 tm23001a.10.05 Super Star Car Wash 204.00 976960 cup2302a.10.05
12,076.80
Total $ 72,440.21
LEGAL SERVICES BILLING RECAP Attachment 2
FY 2023-24
Adopted Revised Previously Spent Available Current Request Category Budget Budget Year to Date Balance Mo./Yr. Amount General Fund:
General / Retainer $ 206,310.00 $ 206,310.00 $ 34,053.00 $ 172,257.00 Sept-23 $ 17,180.80 Labor & Employment 60,000.00 60,000.00 12,347.50 47,652.50 Sept-23 4,302.50 Litigation & Claims 50,000.00 50,000.00 7,505.60 42,494.40 Sept-23 5,760.50 Special Projects 494,990.00 494,990.00 59,819.73 435,170.27 Sept-23 32,294.61 Total $ 811,300.00 $ 811,300.00 $ 113,725.83 $ 697,574.17 $ 59,538.41 Other City Funds:
MHFP Commission $ 10,000.00 $ 10,000.00 $ 110.00 $ 9,890.00 Sept-23 $ 825.00 Capital Projects 75,000.00 75,000.00 30,807.00 44,193.00 Sept-23 - SLEMSA JPA 10,000.00 10,000.00 5,638.50 4,361.50 Sept-23 - Total $ 95,000.00 $ 95,000.00 $ 36,555.50 $ 58,444.50 $ 825.00 Third-Party Reimbursable:
Total $ 17,223.20 $ 12,076.80
Total Previously Spent to Date
Total Proposed for Payment
General Fund $ 113,725.83 General Fund $ 59,538.41
Other City Funds 36,555.50 Other City Funds 825.00
Applicant Deposits or Grants 17,223.20 Applicant Deposits or Grants 12,076.80 Total $ 167,504.53 Total $ 72,440.21
FY 2023-24
STAFF REPORT
PUBLIC HEARING FOR CONDITIONAL USE PERMIT P2022-10 AND MITIGATED NEGATIVE DECLARATION AEIS2022-11 FOR AN AUTO CENTER WITH TWO
DEALERSHIP BUILDINGS, A DETAIL BUILDING, A BODY SHOP, AN AUTOMATIC CARWASH AND RELATED SITE IMPROVEMENTS ON A 13.1-ACRE SITE LOCATED AT 10335 MISSION GORGE ROAD (APN 384-091-01, -13, -14) IN THE GENERAL COMMERCIAL (GC) ZONE.
APPLICANT: KEVIN PERRY (HED DESIGN)
CITY COUNCIL MEETING
OCTOBER 25, 2023
Notice of the Public Hearing was published in the East County Californian on October 13, 2023 and 312 adjacent owners or residents of property within 300 feet of the request and other interested parties were notified by U.S. Mail on October 11, 2023.
LOCATION MAP
Staff Report, October 25, 2023
Santee Auto Center Project
A. SITUATION AND FACTS
1. Requested by ............................. Kevin Perry (HED Design)
2. Land Owner………………………. James Moxham, The SchoolYard LLC
3. Type and Purpose of Request …. Automotive Center
4. Location ………………………….. 10335 Mission Gorge Road
5. Site Area …………………………. 13.1 acre
6. Number of lots …………………… Three
7. Hillside Overlay ........................... No
8. Existing Zoning…………………… General Commercial (GC)
9. Surrounding Zoning..................... North: General Commercial (GC) South: Light Industrial (IL)
East: General Commercial (GC)
West: Medium High Density Residential (R-14)
10. General Plan Designation ……… General Commercial (GC)
11. Existing Land Use........................ Vacant
12. Surrounding Land Use................. North: Commercial uses (primarily automotive) South: Single-family homes
East: Apartment building and single-family homes
West: Apartment complex
13. Terrain ......................................... Generally flat
14. Environmental Status .................. Mitigated Negative Declaration
15. APN............................................. 384-091-01, -13, -14
16. Within Airport Influence Area...... Within Airport Influence Area 1; within Airport Safety Zones 2 and 4.
B. BACKGROUND
Existing Conditions:
The 13.1-acre project site is located at 10335 Mission Gorge Road, on the southeast corner of Mission Gorge Road and Cottonwood Avenue, approximately 800 feet west of Magnolia Avenue. The project site is adjacent to commercial uses that are primarily automotive in nature to the north, an apartment building and single-family home to the east, single-family homes to the south, and an apartment complex to the west.
Staff Report, October 25, 2023
Santee Auto Center Project
C. PROJECT DESCRIPTION
Overview:
The proposed project is for the construction and operation of an auto center on a
13.1-acre site located at 10335 Mission Gorge Road on the south side of Mission Gorge Road, west of Magnolia Avenue and east of Cottonwood Avenue in the General Commercial (GC) Zone and is further identified by Assessor’s Parcel Numbers (APN) 384-091-01, -13, &-14. The subject site would be graded into three parcels (Parcel A, B, & C) and developed with new buildings, parking, landscaping, and storm water facilities. Parcel A would include a new auto dealership (33,974 sq. ft.) with an accessory auto detail building (2,549 sq. ft.). Parcel B would include a new auto dealership (33,112 sq. ft.). Parcel C would include a new auto body shop (16,405 sq. ft.) with an accessory car wash building (5,400 sq. ft.). The maximum building height would be approximately 33 feet.
The project would include six driveways into the site, two on Cottonwood Avenue, three on Mission Gorge Road and one on Railroad Avenue. Proposed public improvements include sidewalks and fully landscaped parkways on the project frontage along Mission Gorge Road, Cottonwood Avenue and Railroad Avenue.
Six- to eight-foot-high masonry walls with landscape buffers would be provided on the eastern and southern project boundaries that are adjacent to residential uses.
D. ANALYSIS
General Plan and Zoning Ordinance Consistency:
The General Commercial (GC) designation provides for commercial areas with a wide range of retail and service activities. Intended uses include automotive uses and other specialized services. This designation encourages the grouping of commercial outlets into consolidated centers with direct access to major roads, prime arterials or freeways. With direct access to Mission Gorge Road, which is designated as a major arterial in the Mobility Element, the proposed automotive use is aligned with the recommended uses of the General Plan and Zoning Ordinance for the subject site.
Development Standards
The project is consistent with the development standards of the Zoning Ordinance for the General Commercial (GC) Zone.
The maximum height limitation in the General Commercial zone is 40 feet for primary buildings in accordance with SMC Section 13.12.040, and 16 feet for detached auxiliary structures in accordance with SMC Chapter 13.30. The maximum height of all proposed primary buildings is 31 feet 4 inches. The proposed auxiliary trash enclosure is eight feet in height at the uppermost portion of the roof. The project complies with height limitations.
Staff Report, October 25, 2023
Santee Auto Center Project
In terms of building setbacks, the Santee Municipal Code requires a 10-foot front setback, 5-foot interior side setback, and 5-foot rear setback. The Community Enhancement Element of the General Plan encourages a landscaped setback of 20 to 40 feet along Mission Gorge Road. Table 1 shows the development standards for the project.
Table 1: Development Standards Summary for General Commercial Required Proposed
Maximum Height 40 feet 33 feet 4 inches
Total Parking 229 spaces
(1/400 sq. ft.)
688 spaces
Customer Parking N/A 81 spaces
EV Parking 11 spaces (5%) 24 spaces
Setbacks (Main
Buildings)
Streets 20 feet along Mission
Gorge Road; 10 feet
along other streets
Mission Gorge Rd: 155 feet
Cottonwood Ave: 205 feet
Railroad Ave: 57 feet
Interior side 5 feet Body shop: 11 feet
Carwash: 11 feet
Rear 5 feet Dealership buildings: 61 feet
Body shop: 11 feet
Landscaping:
Landscaping is required within all setback areas and must also be incorporated into the parking lot. The design includes landscape islands within the parking field and landscaping strips around the perimeter of the site. Additionally, the site was designed with an enhanced landscape buffer approximately 30 inches in width with a meandering sidewalk along Mission Gorge Road, as encouraged in the Community Enhancement Element of the General Plan. A total of 104,111 square feet of on-site landscaping (approximately 18% of the project site) will be provided.
On-Site Parking:
The parking requirement for auto dealerships with accessory uses, including body shops and car washes, is one per 400 square feet of building gross floor area. The gross floor area of the building is 91,440 square feet, which would require a total of 229 parking spaces. The site design includes 688 parking spaces, including 94 spaces for display, 305 for inventory, 81 spaces for customers, 186 auto service, and 22 spaces for vacuums. Of these parking spaces, 11 are ADA spaces, 33 are clean air spaces, and 24 are electric vehicle spaces.
Compatibility with Adjacent Land Uses
Compatibility between adjacent land uses in the City is of primary importance to achieve a safe, livable and functional community and to ensure a high quality of Staff Report, October 25, 2023
Santee Auto Center Project
life. Enhancing compatibility between land uses can be achieved through locating uses together that have similar or compatible public service and site planning needs. The proposed auto center groups complimentary auto-oriented uses in one comprehensive development on an appropriately commercially-zoned site.
Surrounding properties are commercially and industrially zoned and, as such, the proposed development would be consistent with planned allowable uses in this area. The proposal would be also compatible with existing auto-oriented uses along the north side of Mission Gorge Road. The project location is also suitable for the proposed use as it is along the City’s primary commercial corridor with direct access from Mission Gorge Road, a major arterial in the Mobility Element.
Potential incompatibility exists with existing non-conforming residential uses surrounding the site. However, the proposed development incorporates buffering and remedial measures, such as landscape strips and the erection of six- to eightfoot walls along the perimeter of the site adjoining these residential uses in order to minimize this conflict. The proposed meandering sidewalk with landscape buffers along Mission Gorge Road will also help enhance the area and provide residents of existing conforming residential development near the site an improved pedestrian experience along this segment of Mission Gorge Road.
Traffic
A Traffic Impact Analysis was prepared by Linscott, Law & Greenspan Engineers on April 20, 2023, and an analysis on Vehicle Miles Traveled (VMT) was conducted. The project would generate approximately 3,336 daily trips, with 196 trips during AM peak hour and 254 trips during PM peak hour.
Based on the intersection and segment analyses, the project effects were determined at the Mission Gorge Road/Cuyamaca Street and Mission Gorge Road/Cottonwood Avenue intersections. For the Mission Gorge Road / Cuyamaca Street intersection, a northbound right-turn lane is needed to improve operations.
This improvement is currently underway as a Capital Improvement Program (CIP) project. Currently, the Mission Gorge Road/Cottonwood Avenue intersection operates with permissive north/south phasing. The project is conditioned to provide an exclusive left-turn lane at the northbound and southbound approaches on Cottonwood Avenue and modify the traffic signal to provide north/south protected phasing.
The project is designed to align the project driveway opposite of Edgemoor Drive with modification to the existing traffic signal and the provision of a 40-foot-wide driveway with one left-turn lane and one shared through/right lane in the northbound direction at this intersection. The project is conditioned to prohibit the southbound left-turn movement and to only allow right-in/right-out and outbound left-turn movements at this driveway. The project also includes stop signs that will be installed at all unsignalized driveways for traffic exiting the driveways.
Staff Report, October 25, 2023
Santee Auto Center Project
Drainage
Pre-Project Condition
The pre-project site drains generally northwest to a curb inlet located along the eastern edge Cottonwood Avenue, just south of the intersection of Cottonwood Avenue and Mission Gorge Road. Runoff from the southern part of the site flows from the eastern boundary of the site to the west along Happy Lane before it rounds the corner at Cottonwood Avenue and flows north along the street where it is collected by the curb inlet. Runoff from the northern part of site flows north to Mission Gorge Road then concentrates and flows west along the street until it rounds the corner and travels south at Cottonwood Avenue where it is collected by the curb inlet. After entering the curb inlet, runoff from the project site drains to the public storm drain system and into the San Diego River.
Post-Project Condition
Drainage patterns for the proposed condition will remain similar to drainage patterns in the pre-project condition. In the post-project condition, the project area will be divided into three lots, which each drain to a separate underground storage vault and proprietary compact biofiltration system. It is anticipated that peak flows from a 100-year, 6-hour storm event on the post-project site will remain lower than peak flows from the pre-project condition of the site. After exiting the vaults and compact biofiltration system, the stormwater is conveyed via a private storm drain to a connection with the public storm drain system located at the curb inlet which is on the southeast corner of the intersection of Cottonwood Avenue and Mission Gorge Road. After connecting to the public storm drain system, flows from the site are conveyed to the San Diego River.
Development Impact Fees:
The proposed development would trigger development impact fees as listed below:
Drainage .................$746,276.37
Traffic......................$941,595.50
Traffic Signal...........$151,879.62
Total $1,839,751.49
Environmental Status:
An Initial Study was conducted in accordance with the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA). The analysis indicated that there will not be significant adverse impacts on the environment with mitigation. Mitigated Negative Declaration (MND) AEIS2022-11 (State Clearinghouse No. 2023080274) was prepared and advertised for public review from August 11, 2023 to September 11, 2023, and is recommended for approval. All comments received have been reviewed and considered, and no substantial new information has been received that has not already been analyzed in the MND. No revisions made to the MND in response to comments constitute substantial revisions as defined in State CEQA Guidelines Section 15073.5. A full discussion of the environmental issues and response to comments is found in the attached MND.
Staff Report, October 25, 2023
Santee Auto Center Project
E. STAFF RECOMMENDATION
1. Conduct and close the Public Hearing; and
2. Adopt Mitigated Negative Declaration AEIS2022-11 and the Mitigation Monitoring and Reporting Program (MMRP) as complete and in compliance with the provisions of CEQA per the attached Resolution and authorize filing a Notice of Determination; and
3. Adopt the attached Resolution approving Conditional Use Permit P2022-10.
AERIAL VICINITY MAP
10335 Mission Gorge
Conditional Use Permit P2022-10, Mitigated Negative Declaration AEIS 2022-11 Mission Gorge Road
Project Site
Cottonwood Avenue
Buena Vista Avenue
City Council Meeting October 25, 2023
PROJECT PLANS
RESOLUTION NO.
A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF SANTEE,
CALIFORNIA, APPROVING AND ADOPTING A MITIGATED NEGATIVE DECLARATION (AEIS2022-11) AND A MITIGATION MONITORING AND REPORTING PROGRAM FOR AN AUTO CENTER LOCATED ON A 13.1-ACRE SITE AT 10335 MISSION GORGE ROAD, IN THE GENERAL COMMERCIAL (GC) ZONE.
APPLICANT: KEVIN PERRY, (HED DESIGN)
APN: 384-091-01, -13, -14
(RELATED CASE FILES: CONDITIONAL USE PERMIT P2022-10)
WHEREAS, on August 14, 2023, Kevin Perry from HED Design submitted a complete application for a Conditional Use Permit P2022-10 to develop an auto center on a 13.1-acre site located at 10335 Mission Gorge Road, in the City of Santee, County of San Diego, State of California (“Project”); and
WHEREAS, based on the information contained in the Initial Study, which concluded that the Project would not have significant impacts on the environment with mitigation incorporated, the City determined that a Mitigated Negative Declaration (MND) should be prepared for the Project, and a Draft Initial Study/MND, State Clearinghouse No. 2023080274 was prepared in accordance with CEQA, the State CEQA Guidelines, and the City’s Local CEQA Guidelines; and WHEREAS, the proposed Project is located within Airport Influence Area 1 of the Gillespie Field Airport Land Use Compatibility Plan (ALUCP). On January 18, 2023, the Federal Aviation Administration determined that the Project, as designed, presented no hazard to air navigation, and the Airport Land Use Commission (ALUC) determined that the Project as conditionally consistent with the ALUCP pursuant to the ALUC determination letter dated August 10, 2023; and
WHEREAS, in compliance with Public Resources Code section 21080.3.1, the City solicited Tribal input on the Project on July 7, 2023, and a request for Tribal consultation was made by the Barona Band of Mission Indians (Barona); and WHEREAS, as part of this Tribal consultation request, Barona was provided with cultural resource surveys/reports and more information on the proposed Tribal monitoring program for the Project; and
WHEREAS, on July 14, 2023, Barona confirmed the conclusion of the requested Tribal consultation indicating that the proposed Tribal monitoring for the Project was satisfactory; and
WHEREAS, the Planning & Building Department scheduled Conditional Use Permit (P2022-10) and Mitigated Negative Declaration (AEIS2022-11) for a public hearing on October 25, 2023; and
RESOLUTION NO.
WHEREAS, pursuant to State CEQA Guidelines section 15072, on August 11, 2023, the Notice of Intent to Adopt the MND was posted by the Clerk for the County of San Diego and published in the East County Californian; and WHEREAS, pursuant to State CEQA Guidelines section 15073, the Draft MND was circulated for a 30-day public review period from August 11, 2023 through September 11, 2023; and
WHEREAS, the Notice of Intent to Adopt the Draft MND was also submitted to the State Clearinghouse for state agency review and, as required by State CEQA Guidelines section 15073, the state agency review period began on August 11, 2023 and closed on September 11, 2023; and
WHEREAS, during the public comment period, copies of the Draft MND, including any technical appendices, were available for review and inspection at City Hall and on the City’s website; and
WHEREAS, one comment letter was received during the public review period, which did not raise any new environmental issues; and
WHEREAS, staff has reviewed all comments and prepared responses to each comment as reflected in the Final MND; and
WHEREAS, the Final MND consists of the Draft MND, comments and responses on the Draft MND, and the Mitigation Monitoring and Reporting Program (“MMRP”); and WHEREAS, the MND and the MMRP are attached hereto as “Exhibit A” and “Exhibit B” respectively; and
WHEREAS, on October 25, 2023, the City Council held a duly advertised public hearing on P2022-10 and AEIS2022-11; and
WHEREAS, as contained herein, the City Council has endeavored in good faith to set forth the basis for its decision on the Project; and WHEREAS, all the requirements of the Public Resources Code and the State CEQA Guidelines have been satisfied by the City in connection with the preparation of the MND, which is sufficiently detailed so that all of the potentially significant environmental effects of the Project, as well as feasible mitigation measures, have been adequately evaluated; and
WHEREAS, all of the findings and conclusions made by the City Council pursuant to this Resolution are based upon the oral and written evidence presented to it as a whole and the entirety of the administrative record for the Project, which are incorporated herein by this reference, and not based solely on the information provided in this Resolution; and
RESOLUTION NO.
WHEREAS, prior to taking action, the City Council had heard, been presented with, reviewed and considered all of the information and data in the administrative record, including but not limited to the Initial Study, MND, and MMRP; and WHEREAS, the MND reflects the independent judgment of the City Council and is deemed adequate for purposes of making decisions on the merits of the Project; and WHEREAS, no comments submitted during the public review period, or made during the public hearing conducted by the City Council, and no additional information submitted to the City require substantial revisions to the MND necessitating recirculation or additional environmental review of the Project under State CEQA Guidelines section 15073.5; and
WHEREAS, all other legal prerequisites to the adoption of this Resolution have occurred.
NOW, THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED by the City Council of the City of Santee, California, as follows:
SECTION 1. RECITALS. The City Council hereby finds that the foregoing recitals are true and correct and are incorporated herein as substantive findings of this Resolution.
SECTION 2. COMPLIANCE WITH THE CALIFORNIA ENVIRONMENTAL QUALITY ACT. As the decision-making body for the Project, the City Council has reviewed and considered the information contained in the MND, comments received, other documents contained in the administrative record, and all other written and oral evidence presented to the City Council for the Project (collectively, the “Record”). The City Council further finds that the MND and the MMRP have been completed in compliance with CEQA and the State CEQA Guidelines.
SECTION 3. FINDINGS ON ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACTS. Based on the whole record before it, the City Council finds that the Project would have potentially significant impacts but that those impacts can be mitigated to less than significant through mitigation measures outlined in the MND and the MMRP. The City Council finds that the MND contains a complete, objective, and accurate reporting of the environmental impacts associated with the Project and reflects the independent judgment and analysis of the City Council.
No new significant environmental effects have been identified in the Final MND and no changes to the Final MND constitute substantial revisions requiring recirculation under State CEQA Guidelines section 15073.5. All of the mitigation measures contained in the MMRP have been made conditions of Project approval in accordance with State CEQA Guidelines 15074 (d).
SECTION 4. WILDLIFE RESOURCES. Pursuant to Fish and Game Code Section 711.4(c), all Project applicants and public agencies subject to the California Environmental Quality Act shall pay a filing fee for each proposed Project, as specified in subdivision 711.4(d) for any adverse effect on wildlife resources or the habitat upon RESOLUTION NO.
which wildlife depends unless a “no effect” finding is made by the California Department of Fish and Wildlife. This fee is due and payable as a condition precedent to the County Clerk’s filing of a Notice of Determination. The City of Santee hereby notifies the Applicant that in order to comply with State Law, the Applicant shall remit to the City of Santee Department of Development Services, within two (2) working days of the effective date (as defined in Section 8 below) of this approval, a certified check payable to the "County Clerk, County of San Diego" in the amount of $2,814.00. This fee includes an authorized County administrative fee of $50. Failure to remit the required fee in full within the time specified above will result in notification to the State that a fee was required but not paid, and could result in State imposed penalties and recovery under the provisions of the Revenue and Taxation Code. In addition, Section 21089 (b) of the Public Resources Code, and Section 711.4 (c) of the Fish and Game Code, provide that no Project shall be operative, vested, or final until the required filing fee is paid.
SECTION 5. ADOPTION OF THE MND. The Final MND, attached hereto as “Exhibit A”, is hereby approved and adopted.
SECTION 6. ADOPTION OF THE MMRP. The MMRP prepared for the Project, attached hereto as “Exhibit B”, is hereby approved and adopted.
SECTION 7. NOTICE OF DETERMINATION. Staff is directed to file a Notice of Determination with the San Diego County Clerk within five (5) working days of approval of the Project and adoption of the Final MND.
SECTION 8. LOCATION AND CUSTODIAN OF RECORDS. The documents and materials associated with the Project and the MND that constitute the record of proceedings on which these findings are based are located at Santee City Hall, 10601 Magnolia Avenue, Building #3, Santee CA 92071. The City Clerk is the custodian of the record of proceedings.
SECTION 9. EFFECTIVE DATE. This Resolution shall become effective immediately upon its adoption.
ADOPTED by the City Council of Santee, California, at a Regular meeting held this 25th day of October 2023, by the following vote:
AYES:
NOES:
ABSENT:
APPROVED:
JOHN W. MINTO, MAYOR
RESOLUTION NO.
ATTEST:
ANNETTE ORTIZ, CMC, CITY CLERK
Attachment: Exhibit A - MND
Exhibit B - MMRP
Final Initial Study/Environmental Checklist
Form
for the Santee Auto Center Project
Santee, California
Prepared for
City of Santee
10601 Magnolia Avenue
Santee, CA 92071
Prepared by
RECON Environmental, Inc.
3111 Camino del Rio North, Suite 600
San Diego, CA 92108
P 619.308.9333
RECON Number 9999
October 17August 11, 2023
EXHIBIT A
Negative Declaration FORM “E”
DRAFT MITIGATED NEGATIVE DECLARATION
1. Name or description of project: Applications for a Conditional Use Permit (P2022-10) and Environmental Initial Study (AEIS2022-11) for the construction and operation of an auto center on a 13.1-acre site in the General Commercial Zone. The subject site would be graded into three parcels (Parcel A, B, & C) and developed with new buildings, parking, landscaping, and storm water facilities.
Parcel A would include a new auto dealership (33,974 sf) with an accessory auto detail building (2,549 sf). Parcel B would include a new auto dealership (33,112 sf). Parcel C would include a new auto body shop (16,405 sf) with an accessory car wash building (5,400 sf). The project would include six driveways into the site, two on Cottonwood Avenue, three on Mission Gorge Road and one on Railroad Avenue. Proposed public improvements include sidewalks and fully landscaped parkways adjoining the site on Mission Gorge Road and Cottonwood Avenue.
2. Project Location – Identify street
address and cross streets or attach a
map showing project site (preferably
a USGS 15’ or 7 1/2’ topographical
map identified by quadrangle name):
Address: 10335 Mission Gorge Road
Assessor’s Parcel Numbers: 384-091-01, 384-091-13 and 384-091-14.
Nearest cross streets: Cottonwood Avenue and Railroad Avenue.
USGS map attached
3. Entity or Person undertaking project:
A. Entity
(1) Name: A.James Moxham, The SchoolYard LLC
(2) Address: 10580 Prospect Avenue, Ste. 200, Santee, CA 92071 B. Other (Private)
(1) Name: Kevin Perry, HED Design
(2) Address: 11750 Sorrento Valley Road Ste. 100, San Diego, CA 92121 The Lead Agency, having reviewed the Initial Study of this proposed project, having reviewed the written comments received, and having reviewed the recommendation of the Lead Agency's Staff, does hereby find and declare that the proposed project will not have a significant effect on the environment. A brief statement of the reasons supporting the Lead Agency’s findings are as follows:
The project is compatible with the Santee General Plan in that the proposed commercial project is located within the General Commercial zone. The proposed project meets the development standards including lot size, lot dimension, and setbacks.
The Project site is physically suitable and has adequate infrastructure, including roads, water, sewerage, and electricity, to support the type of development. The Project would be developed in accordance with the Sustainable Santee Plan and will not contribute significantly to greenhouse gas emissions, nor frustrate the intent of state policy relative to greenhouse gas emissions.
All potentially significant environmental impacts can be mitigated to less than significant levels through implementation of the mitigation measures identified in the Initial Study. Therefore, the Project would not result in significant impacts to the environment.
The Lead Agency hereby finds that the Mitigated Negative Declaration reflects its independent judgment. A copy of the Initial Study is attached.
Negative Declaration FORM “E”
The location and custodian of the documents and any other material which constitute the record of proceedings upon which the Lead Agency based its decision to adopt this Mitigated Negative Declaration are as follows:
Michael Coyne, Principal Planner
City of Santee
10601 Magnolia Ave.
Santee, CA 92071
This document can also be viewed at:
https://www.cityofsanteeca.gov/services/project-environmental-review Phone No.: (619) 258-4100 x160
Date Received
for Filing:
Staff: Michael Coyne
(Clerk Stamp Here)
Principal Planner
Title
Negative Declaration FORM “E”
SITE
Responses to Comments
Santee Auto Center Project
RTC-1
LETTERS OF COMMENT AND RESPONSES
The Draft Mitigated Negative Declaration for the Santee Auto Center Project was circulated for public and agency review from August 11, 2023, to September 11, 2023 (State Clearinghouse No. 2023080274). During the 30-day public and agency review period, two comment letters were received from the San Diego County Archaeological Society. The letters can be found on the following pages, with responses to comments provided adjacent to the individual comments in the letter. No substantial revisions to the impact analysis were required as a result of the comments received on the Draft Mitigated Negative Declaration.
Letter Author Page Number
A San Diego County Archaeological Society dated August 21, 2023 RTC-2 B San Diego County Archaeological Society dated September 10, 2023 RTC-4
LETTER RESPONSE
RTC-2
A-1 The commenter provides introductory language regarding the content of this comment letter. This comment does not raise an issue related to the adequacy of the analysis contained within the Draft IS/MND.
A-2 Upon receipt of this letter, RECON, the environmental consultant for preparation of the MND sent Appendices C, D, and E to James Royle via email on September 5, 2023. The City of Santee (City) also posted the appendices without confidential information for public review on the City’s website at the link below:
https://www.cityofsanteeca.gov/government/planning-andbuilding/active-projects-and-environmental-documents-for-publicreview.
A-3 The Draft IS/MND includes mitigation recommended in the Cultural Resources Technical Memorandum prepared by Rincon, now dated August 1, 2023. The mitigation covers both tribal and non-tribal cultural resources.
A-4 The commenter provides conclusive language regarding the content of this comment letter. This comment does not raise an issue related to the adequacy of the analysis contained within the Draft IS/MND.
Letter A
A-1
A-2
A-3
A-4
LETTER RESPONSE
RTC-3
LETTER RESPONSE
RTC-4 B
-1 The commenter provides introductory language regarding the content of this comment letter. This comment does not raise an issue related to the adequacy of the analysis contained within the Draft IS/MND.
B-2 It is noted that the County’s Department of Planning and Development Services has a process it follows in cases where non- permitted development actions damage cultural resources. This is not applicable for the project as project site-related grading activities were a result of exploratory work performed by the property owner. This work did not require permit approval, per the City of Santee (City) Grading Ordinance, Chapter 11.40.105.D, Designated Exceptions, provided the work complies with City’s Grading Ordinance.
The work that occurred and the resulting grade is from the backfill and compaction of restoration efforts that were performed under the supervision of the geotechnical engineer as part of exploratory activities. Please refer to the report titled “Supplemental Geotechnical Investigation” report dated March 9, 2022 posted on the City’s website at the following link:
https://www.cityofsanteeca.gov/government/planning-and- building/active-projects-and-environmental-documents-for-public- review
In addition, the 2019 Phase II Cultural Resources Testing and Evaluation Report found that RIN-S-1 was not eligible for listing on the National Register of Historic Places and the California Register of Historical Resources. Further, as stated on page 74 of the Draft IS/MND, the City received one response to the Assembly Bill (AB) 52 consultation letters from the Barona Band of Mission Indians (Barona).
Letter B
B-1
B-2
B-3
B-4
LETTER RESPONSE
RTC-5
B-2 (cont.)
In an email dated July 7, 2023, Barona requested AB 52
consultation for the project, copies of prior cultural resource surveys or reports and more information on the proposed monitoring program. City staff coordinated with Barona as to the preferred format of the reports (i.e., hard copy, electronic, thumb drive). Three reports were sent to Barona electronically in three separate emails on July 12, 2023. On July 13, 2023, Barona confirmed receipt of all the reports and concluded that the mitigation recommended (starting on page 6 of the Rincon report) “seems adequate for the resources that have been identified.” Barona further stated: “However, if anything significant is encountered before or during construction, I definitely want to hear about it.” On July 14, 2023, Barona confirmed that the AB 52 consultation was concluded “as long as the mitigation measures are included as conditions of approval and are implemented as the project goes forward.” The approved mitigation measures are included in the IS/MND under CUL-1 through CUL-5.
B-3 The monitoring program will be implemented under CUL-3 using guidelines established in the plan developed under CUL-2. CUL-2 as written includes specific performance standards, outlining what will be included in the plan. The exact measures to be included in the Cultural Resources Mitigation and Monitoring Program will be developed by a qualified archeologist meeting or exceeding the Secretary of Interior’s Professional Qualification Standards for archaeology. These plans are not generally prepared until a project and Mitigation Monitoring and Reporting Program are fully approved since these documents establish certain project requirements that will be included in the plan itself and the plan can be properly tailored to on-the-ground conditions.
LETTER RESPONSE
RTC-6
B-4 As stated above, the monitoring program will be implemented under CUL-3 using guidelines established in the plan developed under CUL-2. CUL-2 as written outlines what will be included in the plan but does not include specifics as these plans are not generally prepared until a project and Mitigation Monitoring and Reporting Program are fully approved since these documents establish certain project requirements that will be included in the plan itself. Wording in mitigation measure CUL-3 was corrected from “should” to “shall” because the word “shall” is used to show certainty of intention about an action that will happen in the future.
B-5 The commenter provides conclusory language regarding the content of this comment letter. This comment does not raise an issue related to the adequacy of the analysis contained within the Draft IS/MND.
B-5
Mitigation Monitoring and Reporting Program
Santee Auto Center Project
MMRP-1
MITIGATION MONITORING AND REPORTING PROGRAM
INCORPORATED INTO THE PROJECT
Section 21081.6 of the CEQA Guidelines requires that a MMRP be adopted upon certification of an Environmental Impact Report or adoption of a Mitigated Negative Declaration to ensure that the mitigation measures are implemented. The MMRP specifies the mitigation for the project, when in the process it should be accomplished, and the entity responsible for implementing and/or monitoring the mitigation. Public Resources Code Section 21081.6 requires monitoring of only those impacts identified as significant or potentially significant.
The following MMRP table identifies measures that specifically apply to this project. As shown in the table, each mitigation measure is categorized by impact area and corresponding number, with an accompanying identification of:
• The time of the project during which the measure should be implemented; • The responsible monitoring party; and
• The action indicating compliance with the mitigation measure.
Santee Auto Center Project
MMRP-2
MITIGATION MONITORING AND REPORTING PROGRAM
Mitigation Measure Implementation/Timing
Responsible
Monitoring Party Compliance Action
Certified
Complete
Biological Resources
BIO-1 – Nesting Birds and Raptors: If vegetation clearing activities are proposed during or continue into the
general bird breeding season (February 15–August 30), a pre-construction clearance survey for nesting birds and raptors shall be conducted. The survey shall cover all
suitable nesting habitats that occur within the proposed project site. The pre-construction survey shall be
conducted within three days of the start of work.
If any active nests are detected, the area will be flagged and mapped along with a buffer as recommended by
the qualified biologist. The buffer area(s) established by the qualified biologist will be avoided until the nesting cycle is complete or it is determined that the nest is no longer active. The qualified biologist shall be a person familiar with bird breeding behavior and capable of
identifying the bird species of San Diego County by
sight and sound and determining alterations of behavior as a result of human interaction. Buffers will be based on species-appropriate buffers and/or local topography
and line of sight, species behavior and tolerance to
disturbance, and existing disturbance levels, as
determined appropriate by the qualified biologist.
Prior to grading or ground
disturbance, if vegetation clearing
activities are proposed during or
continue into the general bird
breeding season (February 15–
August 30).
Project Applicant Pre-grading survey for nesting birds and raptors
Santee Auto Center Project
MMRP-3
MITIGATION MONITORING AND REPORTING PROGRAM
Mitigation Measure Implementation/Timing
Responsible
Monitoring Party Compliance Action
Certified
Complete
Cultural Resources
CUL-1: Worker Environmental Awareness Program: Prior
to the commencement of project-related grounddisturbing activities, including but not limited to site clearing, grubbing, trenching, and excavation, a
qualified archaeologist who meets or exceeds the
Secretary of the Interior’s Professional Qualifications Standards for archaeology shall provide a Worker
Environmental Awareness Program for the general
contractor, subcontractors, and construction workers
participating in ground-disturbing activity for project construction. The Worker Environmental Awareness
Program training shall describe the potential of
exposing archaeological resources, types of cultural
materials that may be encountered, and directions on
the steps that shall be taken if such a find is
encountered. This training may be presented alongside
other environmental training programs required prior to construction. A Worker Environmental Awareness
Program acknowledgment form shall be signed by
workers who receive the training.
Prior to grading or ground
disturbance
Project Applicant A qualified archaeologist who meets or exceeds the Secretary of the Interior’s
Professional Qualifications Standards for
archaeology shall provide a Worker
Environmental Awareness Program and
training for the general contractor,
subcontractors, and construction workers
participating in ground-disturbing activity
for project construction.
CUL-2: Preparation of a Cultural Resources Mitigation
and Monitoring Program: Prior to the start of any
ground-disturbing activity for project construction,
including but not limited to site clearing, grubbing,
trenching, and excavation, a qualified archaeologist who meets or exceeds the Secretary of Interior’s Professional Qualifications Standards for archaeology shall be
retained to prepare a Cultural Resources Mitigation and Monitoring Program for unanticipated discoveries
during project construction. The Cultural Resources
Mitigation and Monitoring Program shall be prepared in
consultation with Native American tribes who have
participated in consultation for the project. The Cultural Resources Mitigation and Monitoring Program shall
Prior to grading or ground
disturbance
Project Applicant A qualified archaeologist who meets or exceeds the Secretary of Interior’s
Professional Qualifications Standards for
archaeology shall be retained to prepare a
Cultural Resources Mitigation and
Monitoring Program for unanticipated
discoveries during project construction.
Santee Auto Center Project
MMRP-4
MITIGATION MONITORING AND REPORTING PROGRAM
Mitigation Measure Implementation/Timing
Responsible
Monitoring Party Compliance Action
Certified
Complete
include provisions for archaeological, historic and Native American monitoring of initial ground disturbance
related to construction of the project, project
construction schedule, procedures to be followed in the event of discovery of archaeological resources including additional artifacts or features associated with RIN-S-1, and protocols for Native American coordination and
input, including review of documents. The Cultural
Resources Mitigation and Monitoring Program shall
outline the role and responsibilities of Native American monitor(s). It shall include communication protocols and opportunity and timelines for review of cultural
resources documents related to discoveries that are
Native American in origin. The Cultural Resources
Mitigation and Monitoring Program shall include
provisions for Native American monitoring during
testing or data recovery efforts for unknown resources
that are Native American in origin, shall any be
encountered. Once completed, the Cultural Resources
Mitigation and Monitoring Program shall be reviewed
and approved by the Project Planner at the City of
Santee prior to the start of any ground disturbing
activities.
Santee Auto Center Project
MMRP-5
MITIGATION MONITORING AND REPORTING PROGRAM
Mitigation Measure Implementation/Timing
Responsible
Monitoring Party Compliance Action
Certified
Complete
CUL-3: Cultural Resources Construction Monitoring: A
qualified archaeologist who meets or exceeds the
Secretary of Interior’s Professional Qualifications
Standards for archaeology shall be present during
ground-disturbing activity for project construction,
including but not limited to site clearing, grubbing,
trenching, and excavation, for the duration of the
project ground disturbance or until the qualified
archaeologist determines monitoring is no longer
necessary.
At the completion of monitoring, the qualified
archaeologist should prepare a Cultural Resources
Monitoring Report to document the findings during the
monitoring effort for the project. The report shall
include the monitoring logs completed for the project
and shall document any discoveries made during
monitoring. The Cultural Resources Monitoring Report
shall be submitted to the City of Santee and the South
Coastal Information Center.
During ground-disturbing activity Project Applicant A qualified archaeologist who meets or exceeds the Secretary of Interior’s
Professional Qualifications Standards for
archaeology shall be present during
ground-disturbing activity for project
construction.
At the completion of monitoring, the
qualified archaeologist should prepare a
Cultural Resources Monitoring Report to
document the findings during the
monitoring effort for the project.
CUL-4: Native American Construction Monitoring: A
minimum of one Native American monitor shall be
present during ground-disturbing activity for project
ground disturbance, including but not limited to site
clearing, grubbing, trenching, and excavation, for the
duration of the project ground disturbance or until the qualified archaeologist determines monitoring is no
longer necessary. The Native American monitors shall
be of Kumeyaay descent with ancestral ties to the San
Diego region and at minimum one year of monitoring
experience within Kumeyaay ancestral territory.
During ground-disturbing activity Project Applicant A minimum of one Native American monitor of Kumeyaay descent shall be
present during ground-disturbing activity.
Santee Auto Center Project
MMRP-6
MITIGATION MONITORING AND REPORTING PROGRAM
Mitigation Measure Implementation/Timing
Responsible
Monitoring Party Compliance Action
Certified
Complete
CUL-5: California Health and Safety Code Section
7050.5: During project construction, if human remains
are found, the California Health and Safety Code Section 7050.5 states no further disturbance shall occur until the County Coroner has made a determination of origin and
disposition pursuant to Public Resources Code Section
5097.98. Per the Public Resources Code, in the event of an unanticipated discovery of human remains, the
County Coroner shall be notified immediately. If the
human remains are determined to be prehistoric, the
coroner shall notify the Native American Heritage
Commission, which will determine and notify a Most
Likely Descendant.
During ground-disturbing activity
and construction
Project Applicant If human remains are found, the California Health and Safety Code Section 7050.5
states no further disturbance shall occur
until the County Coroner has made a
determination of origin and disposition
pursuant to Public Resources Code
Section 5097.98. Per the Public Resources
Code, in the event of an unanticipated
discovery of human remains, the County
Coroner shall be notified immediately. If
the human remains are determined to be
prehistoric, the coroner shall notify the
Native American Heritage Commission,
which will determine and notify a Most
Likely Descendant.
Noise
NOISE-1: Construction Noise
Prior to issuance of any grading permit(s) for the
project, the project applicant or its contractor(s) shall ensure that:
• On-site rocks and boulders shall be relocated offsite to the maximum extent feasible. • All on-site rock crushing shall occur at a distance of 165 feet or more from the southern, eastern, and
western property lines.
• All construction equipment, fixed or mobile, shall be equipped with properly operating and maintained
mufflers.
• Construction noise reduction methods such as
shutting off idling equipment, maximizing the
distance between construction equipment staging
areas and occupied residential areas, and use of
electric air compressors and similar power tools,
rather than diesel equipment, shall be used where
feasible.
Prior to issuance of any grading
permit(s)
Project Applicant The project applicant or its contractor(s) shall ensure that:
• On-site rocks and boulders shall be
relocated off-site to the maximum
extent feasible.
• All on-site rock crushing shall occur at
a distance of 165 feet or more from
the southern, eastern, and western
property lines.
• All construction equipment, fixed or
mobile, shall be equipped with
properly operating and maintained
mufflers.
• Construction noise reduction
methods such as shutting off idling
equipment, maximizing the distance
between construction equipment
staging areas and occupied residential
areas, and use of electric air
Santee Auto Center Project
MMRP-7
MITIGATION MONITORING AND REPORTING PROGRAM
Mitigation Measure Implementation/Timing
Responsible
Monitoring Party Compliance Action
Certified
Complete
• During construction, stationary construction
equipment shall be placed such that emitted noise
is directed away from or shielded from sensitive
noise receivers.
• During construction, stockpiling and vehicle staging
areas shall be located as far as practical from noise
sensitive receptors.
• The project shall be in compliance with the City’s
Noise Abatement and Control Ordinance such that
construction shall occur on the weekdays (Monday
through Friday) and Saturday between the hours of
7:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. and a notice of construction
shall be mailed to all owners and occupants within
300 feet of the project site no more than 10 days
before the start of construction. Construction hours,
allowable workdays and the phone number of the
job superintendent shall be clearly posted at all
construction entrances to allow surrounding
property owners and residents to contact the job
superintendent. In the event that the City receives a
complaint regarding construction noise,
appropriate corrective actions shall be implemented
and a report of the action provided to the reporting
party.
compressors and similar power tools,
rather than diesel equipment, shall be
used where feasible.
• During construction, stationary
construction equipment shall be
placed such that emitted noise is
directed away from or shielded from
sensitive noise receivers.
• During construction, stockpiling and
vehicle staging areas shall be located
as far as practical from noise sensitive
receptors.
The project shall comply with the City’s
Noise Abatement and Control Ordinance
such that construction shall occur on the
weekdays (Monday through Friday) and
Saturday between the hours of 7:00 a.m.
to 7:00 p.m. and a notice of construction
shall be mailed to all owners and
occupants within 300 feet of the project
site no more than 10 days before the start
of construction. Construction hours,
allowable workdays and the phone
number of the job superintendent shall be
clearly posted at all construction entrances
to allow surrounding property owners and
residents to contact the job
superintendent. In the event that the City
receives a complaint regarding
construction noise, appropriate corrective
actions shall be implemented and a report
of the action provided to the reporting
party.
Santee Auto Center Project
MMRP-8
MITIGATION MONITORING AND REPORTING PROGRAM
Mitigation Measure Implementation/Timing
Responsible
Monitoring Party Compliance Action
Certified
Complete
NOISE-2: Operational Noise
The project shall incorporate the following measures:
• Prior to precise grading, a six-foot masonry wall
noise barrier shall be constructed along the
western, southern, and eastern project boundaries
as depicted in Figure 6a. The masonry wall shall be
stepped up to eight feet along the eastern project
boundary 50 feet south of Mission Gorge Road and
50 feet north of Railroad Avenue. The sound
attenuation walls must be solid and free of cracks,
gaps, or holes through or below the wall. Any
seams or cracks must be filled or caulked.
• The manufacturer noise specifications for the car
wash blower system selected for the project shall
include a silencer package and shall not exceed a
sound power level of 106 dB(A) Lpw.
• The manufacturer noise specifications for the car
wash vacuum hoses selected for the project shall
not exceed a sound power level of 77.3 dB(A) Lpw.
• Operation of the car wash shall be prohibited
during the hours of 7 p.m. and 7 a.m.
• Prior to precise grading
• Prior to approval of grading
permit, noise specifications and
operation shall be included as
notes on the grading plans
Project Applicant • Prior to precise grading, a six-foot masonry wall noise barrier shall be
constructed along the western,
southern, and eastern project
boundaries as depicted in Figure 6a.
The masonry wall shall be stepped up
to eight feet along the eastern project
boundary 50 feet south of Mission
Gorge Road and 50 feet north of
Railroad Avenue. The sound
attenuation walls must be solid and
free of cracks, gaps, or holes through
or below the wall. Any seams or cracks
must be filled or caulked.
• The manufacturer noise specifications
for the car wash blower system
selected for the project shall include a
silencer package and shall not exceed
a sound power level of 106 dB(A) Lpw.
• The manufacturer noise specifications
for the car wash vacuum hoses
selected for the project shall not
exceed a sound power level of 77.3
dB(A) Lpw.
• Operation of the car wash shall be
prohibited during the hours of 7 p.m.
and 7 a.m.
Initial Study/Environmental Checklist Form
Santee Auto Center Project
i
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Letters of Comment ........................................................................................................................ RTC-1 Mitigation Monitoring and Reporting Program .................................................................. MMRP-1
1. Project Title ....................................................................................................................................1
2. Lead Agency Name and Address .............................................................................................1
3. Contact Person and Phone Number ........................................................................................1
4. Project Location ............................................................................................................................1
5. Project Applicant/Sponsor’s Name and Address ..................................................................1
6. General Plan Designation ...........................................................................................................1
7. Zoning .............................................................................................................................................1
8. Project Description ...................................................................................................................... 2
9. Project Site Existing Conditions and Surrounding Land Use(s) ........................................ 4
10. Other Required Agency Approvals or Permits Required ................................................... 4
11. Have California Native American tribes traditionally and culturally affiliated with the project area requested consultation pursuant to Public Resources Code Section 21080.3.1? ........................................................................................................................ 4
12. Statement of Environmental Findings ..................................................................................... 4
13. Summary of Environmental Factors Potentially Affected ................................................... 5
14. Determination ............................................................................................................................... 6
15. Environmental Checklist Form ................................................................................................. 11
15.1 Aesthetics.............................................................................................................................................11
15.2 Agriculture Resources..................................................................................................................... 13
15.3 Air Quality........................................................................................................................................... 14
15.4 Biological Resources .......................................................................................................................23
15.5 Cultural Resources ...........................................................................................................................25
15.6 Energy..................................................................................................................................................28
15.7 Geology and Soils ............................................................................................................................32
15.8 Greenhouse Gas Emissions ...........................................................................................................35
15.9 Hazards and Hazardous Materials .............................................................................................37
15.10 Hydrology and Water Quality...................................................................................................... 41
15.11 Land Use and Planning ..................................................................................................................45 Initial Study/Environmental Checklist Form
Santee Auto Center Project
ii
TABLE OF CONTENTS (cont.)
15.12 Mineral Resources............................................................................................................................47
15.13 Noise ....................................................................................................................................................48
15.14 Population and Housing................................................................................................................66
15.15 Public Services...................................................................................................................................67
15.16 Recreation...........................................................................................................................................68
15.17 Transportation/Traffic.....................................................................................................................69
15.18 Tribal Cultural Resources...............................................................................................................73
15.19 Utilities and Service Systems ........................................................................................................75
15.20 Wildfire ................................................................................................................................................ 77
15.21 Mandatory Findings of Significance...........................................................................................79
16. Checklist References ................................................................................................................. 81
FIGURES
1: Regional Location ............................................................................................................................................. 7 2: Project Location on USGS Map ....................................................................................................................8 3: Project Location on Aerial Photograph .....................................................................................................9 4: Site Plan.............................................................................................................................................................. 10 5: Noise Measurement Locations .................................................................................................................. 50 6a: Construction Noise Contours - Rock Drilling........................................................................................ 53 6b: Construction Noise Contours - Rock Breaking .................................................................................... 54 6c: Construction Noise Contours - Rock Crushing.................................................................................... 55 6d: Construction Noise Contours - Grading................................................................................................. 56 7a: Operational Noise Contours - Daytime.................................................................................................. 63 7b: Operational Noise Contours - Nighttime............................................................................................... 64 8: High-Quality Transit Corridors and Transit Stops ................................................................................72 TABLES
1: Air Quality Impact Analysis Trigger Levels..............................................................................................16 2: Summary of Maximum Build-out Construction Emissions................................................................17 3: Summary of Maximum Build-out Operational Emissions..................................................................19 4: Operational Electricity and Natural Gas Use.......................................................................................... 31 5: Project Consistency with General Plan.................................................................................................... 46 6: Modeled Construction Equipment........................................................................................................... 52 7: Construction Noise Levels at Off-site Receivers ...................................................................................57 8: On-Site Generated Noise Levels at Adjacent Property Lines .......................................................... 62 Initial Study/Environmental Checklist Form
Santee Auto Center Project
iii
TABLE OF CONTENTS (cont.)
APPENDICES
A: CalEEMod Outputs
B: Traffic Impact Analysis
C: Cultural Resources Due Diligence Study (Confidential Addendix) D: Phase II Cultural Resources Testing and Evaluation Report (Confidential Addendix) E: Cultural Resources Technical Memorandum (Confidential Addendix) F: Geotechnical Investigation
G: Sustainable Santee Action Plan Consistency Checklist H: Drainage Study
I: Storm Water Quality Management Plan
J: Noise Analysis
Initial Study/Environmental Checklist Form
Santee Auto Center Project
CITY OF SANTEE
INITIAL STUDY/ENVIRONMENTAL CHECKLIST FORM
1. Project Title
Santee Auto Center Project
2. Lead Agency Name and Address
City of Santee
10601 Magnolia Avenue
Santee, CA 92071
3. Contact Person and Phone Number
Mr. Michael Coyne
Principal Planner
City of Santee
(619) 258-4100 x160
4. Project Location
The Santee Auto Center Project (project) is located on the southeast corner of the Mission Gorge Road and Cottonwood Avenue intersection in the city of Santee (Assessor’s Parcel Number [APN]:
384-091-01, -13, and -14). The project site is accessible via Cottonwood Avenue, Mission Gorge Road, and Railroad Avenue.
5. Project Applicant/Sponsor’s Name and Address
Cameron Brothers Construction Co.
10580 Prospect Avenue, Suite 200
Santee, CA 92071
6. General Plan Designation
General Commercial (GC)
7. Zoning
General Commercial (GC)
All reports and documents referenced in this Initial Study are on file with the City of Santee, Department of Development Services, 10601 Magnolia Avenue, Santee, CA 92071. Telephone Number: (619) 258-4100, ext. 167. A digital copy is available from the City website:
http://cityofsanteeca.gov/services/project-environmental-review.
Initial Study/Environmental Checklist Form
Santee Auto Center Project
8. Project Description
The project site is located the southeast corner of Mission Gorge Road and Cottonwood Avenue intersection on approximately 13.1 acres (APN 384-091-01, -13, and -14), located in the city of Santee, California, north of State Route 52 (SR-52). Access to the project site would be provided via two driveways on Cottonwood Avenue, three driveways on Mission Gorge Road, and one driveway on Railroad Avenue. Figure 1 shows the project’s regional location. Figure 2 shows the project’s specific location on U.S. Geological Survey map. Figure 3 shows an aerial photograph of the project site and vicinity. Figure 4 depicts the proposed site plan, which includes construction of two auto dealerships with sales and service buildings, a detail bay, a self-service car wash, and a body shop.
On Parcel A (APN 384-091-14), the project would construct a 33,974-square-foot auto dealership consisting of auto sales and service and a 2,549-square-foot detail bay which can hold six vehicles.
The two-level, 33,974-square-foot, auto sales and service building would consist of a sales and showrooms area, parts department, service department, and administrative office. Level one would total 30,992 square feet and level two would solely consist of parts storage and total 2,549 square feet. Parcel A would have approximately 100 employees and hours of operation would be 7 a.m. to 9 p.m. Monday through Sunday. Parcel A would include 358 parking spaces which exceeds the required 93 spaces specified in 13.24.040 of the Santee Municipal Code. Of the 358 parking spaces, four spaces would be Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) accessible, 12 spaces would be clean air vehicle spaces, and nine spaces would be electric vehicle (EV) spaces. The parking spaces would be allocated for car display (56 spaces), car inventory (209 spaces), cars for service (43 spaces) and customer parking (50 spaces). One, two capacity bicycle rack would also be provided. Motorcycle parking would also be provided per Santee Municipal Code Section 13.24. Parcel A would provide 93 spaces for employee and customer parking, which meets the required spaces specified in
13.24.040 of the Santee Municipal Code.
On Parcel B (APN 384-091-01), the project would construct a second auto dealership consisting of a 33,112-square-foot auto sales and service building. Similar to Parcel A, the two-level 33,112-square-foot auto sales and service building would consist of a sales and showrooms area, parts department, service department, and administrative office. Level one would total 30,015 square feet and level two would solely consist of parts and total 3,097 square feet. Parcel B would have approximately 100 employees and hours of operation would be 7 a.m. to 9 p.m. Monday through Sunday. Parcel B would also include 218 parking spaces, which exceeds the required 84 spaces specified in 13.24.040 of the Santee Municipal Code. Of the 218 parking spaces, four spaces would be ADA accessible, 12 spaces would be clean air vehicle spaces, and nine spaces would be EV spaces.
The parking spaces would be allocated for car display (38 spaces), car inventory (94 spaces), cars for service (65 spaces) and customer parking (21 spaces). One, two capacity bicycle rack would also be provided. Motorcycle parking would also be provided per Santee Municipal Code Section 13.24.
Parcel B would provide 84 spaces for employee and customer parking, which meets the required spaces specified in 13.24.040 of the Santee Municipal Code.
On Parcel C (APN 384-091-13), the project would construct a 5,400-square-foot self-service car wash, and a 16,405-square-foot body shop. The 16,405-square-foot body shop would consist of a customer reception area, parts department, body shop, paint booths, reception canopy and general office. The proposed carwash on Parcel C would have approximately four employees and hours of operation would be 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. Monday through Saturday. The proposed body shop on Parcel C would Initial Study/Environmental Checklist Form
Santee Auto Center Project
have approximately 23 employees and hours of operation would be 8 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. Monday through Friday. The project proposes 112 parking spaces within Parcel C, which exceeds the required 57 spaces specified in 13.24.040 of the Santee Municipal Code. Of the 112 parking spaces, three spaces would be ADA accessible, nine spaces would be clean air vehicle spaces, and six would be EV spaces. The parking spaces would be allocated for cars for service (78 spaces) and customer parking and manual car drying (34 spaces). Two, two capacity bicycle racks would also be provided.
Screening and Landscaping
Parking lot screening would be constructed in accordance with Santee Municipal Code 13.24.030.A.8.
The project would construct a six-foot masonry wall noise barrier shall be constructed along the western, southern, and eastern project boundaries. The masonry wall shall be stepped up to eight feet along the eastern project boundary 50 feet south of Mission Gorge Road and 50 feet north of Railroad Avenue. The project would construct a four-foot-high concrete retaining wall along the west side of the project site. A six-foot-high screen wall would be constructed along the southern edge of the property, and the project would contain three-foot tree boxes to screen the project from the adjacent residential homes to the south. The project would also include a landscape buffer along the property boundary with a meandering, non-contiguous sidewalk along Mission Gorge Road. Parcel A would provide 91 trees, Parcel B would provide 84 trees, and Parcel C would provide 57 trees.
Site Access
A total of six access driveways are proposed for the project. This includes three access driveways on Mission Gorge Road, two access driveways on Cottonwood Avenue, and one on Railroad Avenue, as described below:
• A right-in/right-out only driveway located the just east of Cottonwood Avenue on Mission Gorge Road
• A right-in/right-out only driveway located east of Project Driveway #1 on Mission Gorge Road • A full access driveway forming the fourth (south) leg of the Mission Gorge Road/Edgemoor Drive intersection.
• A full access driveway located on Cottonwood Avenue, just south of Mission Gorge Road • A full access driveway located Cottonwood Avenue, just south of Project Driveway #4 • A full access driveway located on Railroad Avenue, south of Mission Gorge Road Security Lighting and Cameras
The project site would be well lit to provide convenience and security at any time of day. All project lighting would be implemented consistent with the City Municipal Code Section 13.08.070 Development Review Criteria. Under Section 13.08.070, light fixtures for walks, parking areas, driveways, and other facilities shall be provided in sufficient number and at proper locations to provide illumination and clear visibility to all outdoor areas, with minimal shadows or light leaving the property. The lighting shall be stationary, directed away from adjacent properties and shielded Initial Study/Environmental Checklist Form
Santee Auto Center Project
so that no light or glare is transmitted or reflected in such concentrated quantities or intensities as to be detrimental to the surrounding area.
9. Project Site Existing Conditions and Surrounding Land Use(s) The 13.1-acre project site is the location of the original Santee School (formerly, Cowles School constructed in 1891). The school was demolished and reconstructed during the 1960s and demolished again in 2007. The project site includes several bedrock outcrops, two existing parking lots, several foundations, and the remnants of baseball fields. Land uses surrounding the project site include commercial uses to the north, multi-family residential uses to the east, single-family residences to the south, and multi-family residential uses to the west.
10. Other Required Agency Approvals or Permits Required General Construction Permit (San Diego Regional Water Quality Control Board)
11. Have California Native American tribes traditionally and culturally affiliated with the project area requested consultation pursuant to Public Resources Code Section 21080.3.1? If so, is there a plan for consultation that includes, for example, the determination of significance of impacts to tribal cultural resources, procedures regarding confidentiality, etc.? On July 3, 2023, the City prepared and sent Assembly Bill (AB) 52 notification letters to the four tribal contacts that formally requested notification of projects in the City via certified mail. The City received evidence that three of the four tribes received the notification. No evidence was provided to the City that the fourth tribal organization received the notice. Of the three tribal organizations that received the notice, one was returned to the City with a “return to sender” notification.
Under California Public Resources Code, Section 21080.3.1(b), the tribes had 30 days from the receipt of the notification letters to request consultation under AB 52. Within the 30-day response period, the City received one response to the AB 52 consultation letters from the Barona Band of Mission Indians (Barona).
In an email dated July 7, 2023, Barona requested AB 52 consultation for the project, copies of prior cultural resource surveys or reports and more information on the proposed monitoring program.
City staff coordinated with Barona as to the preferred format of the reports (i.e., hard copy, electronic, thumb drive). Three reports were sent to Barona electronically in three separate emails on July 12, 2023. On July 13, 2023, Barona confirmed receipt of all the reports and concluded that the mitigation recommended (starting on page 6 of the Rincon report) “seems adequate for the resources that have been identified.” Barona further stated: “However, if anything significant is encountered before or during construction, I definitely want to hear about it.” On July 14, 2023, Barona confirmed that the AB 52 consultation was concluded “as long as the mitigation measures are included as conditions of approval and are implemented as the project goes forward.” As of the publication of this MND, the AB 52 consultation has concluded.
12. Statement of Environmental Findings
An Initial Study was prepared by the City to evaluate the potential effects of the project on the environment. As Lead Agency under the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) and based on Initial Study/Environmental Checklist Form
Santee Auto Center Project
the finding contained in the attached Initial Study, the City has determined that the project would not have a significant effect upon the environment with implementation of the proposed mitigation measures.
The City also finds that the Initial Study reflects the City’s independent judgement.
The location and custodian of the documents and any other materials which constitute the record of proceedings upon which the City bases its determination to adopt this Mitigated Negative Declaration are as follows: City of Santee, Department of Development Services, 10601 Magnolia Avenue, Santee, California.
13. Summary of Environmental Factors Potentially Affected The environmental factors checked below would be potentially affected by this project, involving at least one impact that is a “Potentially Significant Impact” as indicated by the checklist on the following pages.
Aesthetics Agriculture and Forestry
Resources Air Quality
Biological Resources Cultural Resources Energy
Geology/Soils Greenhouse Gas Emissions Hazards & Hazardous Materials
Hydrology/Water Quality Land Use/Planning Mineral Resources Noise Population/Housing Public Services
Recreation Transportation Tribal Cultural
Resources
Utilities/Service Systems Wildfire Mandatory Findings of Significance
Initial Study/Environmental Checklist Form
Santee Auto Center Project
14. Determination
I find that the proposed project COULD NOT have a significant effect on the environment, and a NEGATIVE DECLARATION will be prepared.
I find that although the proposed project could have a significant effect on the environment, there will not be a significant effect in this case because the mitigation measures described on an attached sheet have been added to the project. A MITIGATED NEGATIVE DECLARATION will be prepared.
X
I find that the proposed project MAY have a significant effect on the environment, and an ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT REPORT is required.
I find that the proposed project MAY have a significant effect(s) on the environment, but at least one effect (1) has been adequately analyzed in an earlier document pursuant to applicable legal standards, and (2) has been addressed by mitigation measures based on the earlier analysis as described on attached sheets, if the effect is a “potentially significant impact” or “potentially significant unless mitigated.” An ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT REPORT is required, but it must analyze only the effects that remain to be addressed.
I find that although the proposed project could have a significant effect on the environment, there WILL NOT be a significant effect in this case because all potentially significant effects (a) have been analyzed adequately in an earlier EIR or NEGATIVE DECLARATION pursuant to applicable standards and (b) have been avoided or mitigated pursuant to that earlier EIR or NEGATIVE DECLARATION, including revisions or mitigation measures that are imposed upon the proposed project, and nothing further is required August 11, 2023
Signature Date
Michael Coyne City of Santee
Printed Name and Title For
FIGURE 1
Regional Location
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USMC AIR
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Los Penasquitos
Canyon Presv
Mission Tr ails
Regional Park
Cleveland
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Eucalyptus
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Fairbanks
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Chula Vista
San Diego
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La Mesa
Poway
San Marcos
Carlsbad
Nati onal
City
Santee
Coronado
Escondido
Solana
Beach
Del Mar
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USMC AIR
STATION
MIRAMAR
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Canyon Presv
Mission Tr ails
Regional Park
Cleveland
National
Forest
Batiquitos
Lagoon
Lake Hodges
San Vicente
Reservoir
Sweetwater
Reservoir
Lower Otay
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E s c o n d i d o C r e e k
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S a n
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Village
Sycuan
Reservation
Barona
Reservation
Bonita
Bostonia
Casa de
Oro-Mount
Helix
Crest
Eucalyptus
Hills
Fairbanks
Ranch
Granite
Hills
Harbison
Canyon
Jamul
Lakeside
La Presa
Ramona
Rancho San
Diego
Rancho
Santa Fe
Spring
Valley
Winter
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Imperial
Beach
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Grove
Chula Vista
San Diego
El Cajon
Encinitas
La Mesa
Poway
San Marcos
Carlsbad
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Santee
Coronado
Escondido
Solana
Beach
Del Mar
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FIGURE 2
Project Location on USGS Map
Map Source: USGS 7.5 minute topographic map series, El Cajon quadrangle, 1996, El Cajon Land Grant 0 Feet 2,000 [
Project Boundary
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FIGURE 3
Project Location on Aerial Photograph
PARK AVE
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M:\JOBS5\9999\common_gis\fig3_aerial.mxd 12/06/2022 bma M:\JOBS5\9999\env\graphics\fig4_mnd.afdesign 05/04/23 bma Source: HED Design
FIGURE 4
Site Plan
Initial Study/Environmental Checklist Form
Santee Auto Center Project
15. Environmental Checklist Form
15.1 Aesthetics
Would the project:
Issue
Potentially
Significant
Impact
Less Than
Significant with
Mitigation
Less Than
Significant
Impact No Impact
a. Have a substantial adverse effect on a
scenic vista?
b. Substantially damage scenic
resources, including but not limited to,
trees, rock outcroppings, and historic
buildings within a state scenic
highway?
c. Substantially degrade the existing
visual character or quality of public
views of the site and its surroundings?
(Public views are those that are
experienced from a publicly accessible
vantage point). If the project is in an
urbanized area, would the project
conflict with applicable zoning and
other regulations governing scenic
quality?
d. Create a new source of substantial
light or glare that would adversely
affect day or nighttime views in the
area?
Sources: Project Plans; City of Santee General Plan (Conservation, Community Enhancement, and Circulation Elements); Santee Municipal Code.
a. No Impact. The City General Plan identifies existing visual resources, including the San Diego River and other waterway corridors, undeveloped hillsides and ridgelines, the Santee Town Center, Santee Lakes and Mission Trails Regional Parks, and the San Diego Trolley. The project site is not located adjacent to any of these visual resources, nor are there views of any of these sites from the property.
The project site is located within an urbanized environment along the Mission Gorge Road corridor and is surrounded by commercial and residential uses. Additionally, the project site is not designated as open space, nor does it possess views of any areas designated as open space. Therefore, the project would not have a substantial adverse effect on a scenic vista. No impact would occur. b. Less Than Significant Impact. There are no designated state scenic highways within the city of Santee. The segment of SR-52 that is designated as a state scenic highway (Santo Road to Mast Boulevard) is located in the city of San Diego, approximately 2.5 miles to the west, and is not visible from the project site. The project site does not possess any scenic resources such as trees. There are Initial Study/Environmental Checklist Form
Santee Auto Center Project
large boulders and bedrock located in the southeast portion of the project site. However, removal of the boulders and bedrock would not be considered significant because they are not listed as a scenic resource within the City General Plan. As described in Section 15.5.a below, there are no historic resources located on the project site. Therefore, the project would not substantially damage any scenic resources within a state scenic highway, and impacts would be less than significant. c. Less Than Significant Impact. The project site is located within an urban environment consisting of commercial and residential uses located along the southern frontage of Mission Gorge Road. The project site is vacant and currently is undeveloped. The site was originally developed as an elementary school in the 1920s and remained as a school site until being demolished in 2007. The project would be consistent with the existing visual character because it would construct a commercial use within an area that currently consists of a mix of commercial and residential uses.
The project has also been designed with and will comply with applicable zoning regulations pertaining to scenic quality and would include landscaping to enhance the visual quality of the project site. Therefore, the project would not substantially degrade the existing visual character or quality of the site and its surroundings, and impacts would be less than significant.
D. Less Than Significant Impact. Project construction would be limited to the City’s allowable construction hours of 7:00 a.m. and 7:00 p.m. and is not anticipated to require lighting. In the event that construction lighting is required, it would be properly shielded to avoid spillover effects. Once constructed, the project would not include large uninterrupted expanses of glass or any other highly reflective material that could generate glare during the daytime.
The project would include outdoor lighting typical of commercial uses. The project would utilize light-emitting diode (LED) shielded lighting on the buildings to provide both security and path of travel lighting. Light spillover, trespass, and potential glare from project lighting are regulated by Section 13.30.030(B) of the Santee Municipal Code. The code requires that all lights and illuminated signs must be designed and adjusted to reflect light away from any road or street, away from any adjoining premises, and shall be shielded or directed to not cause glare on adjacent properties or motorists. Project lighting would be designed consistent with the requirements of Section
13.30.030(B) of the Santee Municipal Code. Light associated with additional vehicle trips generated by the project would be similar in character to what is currently generated by vehicles traveling along the existing roadway network after dark. Therefore, the project would not create a new source of substantial light or glare that would adversely affect day or nighttime views in the area, and impacts would be less than significant.
Initial Study/Environmental Checklist Form
Santee Auto Center Project
15.2 Agriculture Resources
Would the project:
Issue
Potentially
Significant
Impact
Less Than
Significant with
Mitigation
Less Than
Significant
Impact No Impact
a. Convert Prime Farmland, Unique
Farmland, or Farmland of Statewide
Importance (Farmland), as shown on
the maps prepared pursuant to the
Farmland Mapping and Monitoring
Program of the California Resources
Agency, to non-agricultural use?
b. Conflict with existing zoning for
agricultural use, or a Williamson Act
Contract?
c. Conflict with existing zoning for, or
cause rezoning of, forest land (as
defined in Public Resources Code
Section 12220[g]), timberland (as
defined by Public Resources Code
Section 4526), or timberland zoned
Timberland Production (as defined by
Government Code Section 51104[g])?
d. Result in the loss of forest land or
conversion of forest land to non-forest
use?
e. Involve other changes in the existing
environment, which, due to their
location or nature, could result in
conversion of Farmland to nonagricultural use or conversion of forest land to non-forest use?
Sources: City of Santee General Plan–Land Use Element; City of Santee Zoning Ordinance; California Department of Conservation–Farmland Mapping and Monitoring Program, 2016 a. No Impact. The project site and surrounding properties are not identified as Prime Farmland, Unique Farmland, or Farmland of Statewide Importance. The Farmland Mapping and Monitoring Program classifies the project site and surrounding properties as “Urban and Built Up Land” (California Department of Conservation 2016). No impact would occur. b. No Impact. The project site and surrounding properties are not zoned for agricultural uses and are not subject to a Williamson Act contract. No impact would occur.
Initial Study/Environmental Checklist Form
Santee Auto Center Project
c. No Impact. The project site does not contain any forest or timberland as defined by Public Resources Code Section 12220(g), Public Resources Code Section 4526, or Government Code Section 51104(g) and is not zoned as forest or timberland. No impact would occur. d. No Impact. The project site does not contain any forest or timberland as defined by Public Resources Code Section 12220(g), Public Resources Code Section 4526, or Government Code Section 51104(g). No impact would occur.
e. No Impact. Land uses surrounding the project site include commercial uses to the north, multi-family residential uses to the east, single-family residences to the south, and multi-family residential uses to the west. There are no agricultural uses or forestlands on-site or in the vicinity of the project site. Therefore, the project would not result in conversion of farmland or forest land. No impact would occur.
15.3 Air Quality
Where available, the significance criteria established by the applicable air quality management or air pollution control district may be relied upon to make the following determinations. Would the project:
Issue
Potentially
Significant
Impact
Less Than
Significant with
Mitigation
Less Than
Significant
Impact No Impact
a. Conflict with or obstruct
implementation of the applicable air
quality plan?
b. Result in a cumulatively considerable
net increase of any criteria pollutant
for which the project region is nonattainment under an applicable federal or state ambient air quality
standard?
c. Expose sensitive receptors to
substantial pollutant concentrations?
d. Result in other emissions such as
those leading to odors adversely
affecting a substantial number of
people?
Sources: Project Description, City of Santee General Plan–Land Use Element; Air Quality Model Results (California Emissions Estimator Model [CalEEMod] Output Files) prepared by RECON Environmental, Inc. (Appendix A); Linscott, Law, and Greenspan Engineers Traffic Impact Analysis (Appendix B); San Diego Air Pollution Control District (SDAPCD) Rules 20.1, 20.2, 20.3, 67.0.1, 67.20.1; Office of Environmental Health Hazard Assessment (OEHHA) Air Toxics Hot Spots Program Guidance Manual for the Preparation of Risk Assessments (OEHHA 2015).
Initial Study/Environmental Checklist Form
Santee Auto Center Project
A. Less than Significant impact. Following the California Clean Air Act, California was divided geographically into 15 air basins for managing the state air resources on a regional basis. Areas within each air basin are considered to share the same air masses and, therefore, have similar ambient air quality. The project site is located within the San Diego Air Basin (SDAB). Stationary sources of air emissions within each air basin are regulated by regional air quality districts, of which the project is located within the jurisdiction of the SDAPCD.
Air districts are tasked with regulating emissions such that air quality in the basin does not exceed national or California ambient air quality standards (NAAQS and CAAQS); where NAAQS and CAAQS represent the maximum levels of background pollution considered safe, with an adequate margin of safety, to protect the public health and welfare. NAAQS and CAAQS have been established for six common pollutants of concern known as criteria pollutants, which include ozone (O3), carbon monoxide (CO), sulfur dioxide (SO2), nitrogen dioxide (NO2), lead (Pb), and respirable particulate matter (particulate matter less than 10 microns [PM10] and less than 2.5 microns [PM2.5]).
The SDAB is currently classified as a federal and state non-attainment area for ozone, and as a state non-attainment area for PM10, and PM2.5. The SDAPCD prepared an air quality plan, the 2016 Regional Air Quality Strategy (RAQS), to identify feasible emission control measures intended to progress toward attaining NAAQS and CAAQS for ozone. Reducing ozone concentrations is achieved by reducing the precursors to the photochemical formation of ozone (volatile organic compounds [VOC] and oxides of nitrogen [NOX]).
The growth forecasting for the RAQS is based in part on the land uses established by local general plans. Thus, if a project is consistent with land use designated in the local general plan, it can normally be considered consistent with the RAQS. Projects that propose a different land use than is identified in the local general plan may also be considered consistent with the RAQS if the proposed land use is less intensive than the current land use designation. For projects that propose a land use that is more intensive than the current zoning designation, detailed analysis is required to assess conformance with the RAQS.
The project site is currently designated and zoned as General Commercial (GC). The project would be consistent with the existing land use and zoning designations for the project site, and therefore would be consistent with the growth assumptions of the General Plan. Additionally, as discussed in Section 15.3.b below, project emissions would not exceed the project-level significance thresholds.
Therefore, the project would not result in an increase in emissions that are not already accounted for in the RAQS, and impacts would be less than significant. b. Less than Significant Impact. As discussed in Section 15.3.a above, NAAQS and CAAQS have been established for six criteria pollutants (ozone, CO, SO2, NO2, lead, and particulate matter). The City has not adopted air quality significance thresholds for these pollutants, and the SDAPCD does not provide specific numeric thresholds for determining the significance of air quality impacts under the CEQA Guidelines. However, the SDAPCD does specify air quality impact analysis “trigger” levels for criteria pollutant emissions associated with new or modified stationary sources (SDAPCD Rules 20.1,
20.2, and 20.3). The SDAPCD does not consider these trigger levels to represent adverse air quality impacts; rather, if these trigger levels are exceeded by stationary sources associated with a project, the SDAPCD requires an air quality analysis to determine if a significant air quality impact would occur. This analysis uses SDAPCD trigger levels shown in Table 1 as air quality impact screening levels.
Initial Study/Environmental Checklist Form
Santee Auto Center Project
Table 1
Air Quality Impact Analysis Trigger Levels
Pollutant
Emission Rate
(pounds per hour)
Emission Rate
(pounds per day)
Emission Rate
(tons per year)
NOX 25 250 40
SOX 25 250 40
CO 100 550 100
PM10 -- 100 15
Lead -- 3.2 0.6
ROG1 -- 250 --
PM2.5 -- 67 10
SOURCE: SDAPCD, Rules 20.1, 20.2, 20.3 (SDAPCD 2016).
1 The reactive organic gases (ROG) threshold is based on federal General Conformity de minimis levels for ozone precursors.
The project would result in short-term emissions from construction and long-term emissions associated with project operation. Construction and operational emissions associated with the project were modeled using CalEEMod version 2022.1 (see Appendix A), which incorporates current air emission data. Planning methods, protocol, modeling methodology, and assumptions are summarized below.
Construction Emissions
Construction-related activities are temporary, short-term sources of air emissions. Sources of construction-related air emissions include the following:
• Fugitive dust from grading and rock breaking activities; • Construction equipment exhaust;
• Construction-related trips by workers, delivery trucks, and material-hauling trucks; and • Construction-related power consumption.
Construction-related pollutants result from dust raised during demolition and grading, emissions from construction vehicles, and chemicals used during construction. Fugitive dust emissions vary greatly during construction and are dependent on the amount and type of activity, silt content of the soil, and the weather. Vehicles moving over paved and unpaved surfaces, demolition, excavation, earth movement, grading, and wind erosion from exposed surfaces are all sources of fugitive dust.
Construction operations are subject to the requirements established in Regulation 4, Rules 52, 54, and 55 of the SDAPCD’s rules and regulations.
Heavy-duty construction equipment is usually diesel powered. In general, emissions from diesel-powered equipment contain more NOX, SOX, and particulate matter than gasoline-powered engines. However, diesel-powered engines generally produce less CO and less ROG than do gasoline-powered engines. Standard construction equipment includes tractors/loaders/backhoes, rubber-tired dozers, excavators, graders, cranes, forklifts, rollers, paving equipment, generator sets, welders, cement and mortar mixers, and air compressors. Rock breaking and crushing activities would also be required. It is anticipated that these activities would last approximately two months.
First, the larger boulders would be drilled with a rock drill and chemicals would be used to break Initial Study/Environmental Checklist Form
Santee Auto Center Project
them down to manageable sizes. Then, an excavator with a mounted 10,000-pound hydraulic hammer/breaker would break those rock pieces down to two-foot diameter or less fragments. These smaller rocks would then be hauled off-site or crushed on-site.
Primary inputs are the numbers of each piece of equipment and the length of each construction stage. Specific construction phasing and equipment parameters are not available at this time.
However, CalEEMod can estimate the required construction equipment when project-specific information is unavailable. The estimates are based on surveys (performed by the South Coast Air Quality Management District and the Sacramento Metropolitan Air Quality Management District) of typical construction projects, which provide a basis for scaling equipment needs and schedule with a project’s size. Air emission estimates in CalEEMod are based on the duration of construction phases; construction equipment type, quantity, and usage; grading area; season; and ambient temperature, among other parameters. Construction is anticipated to begin in 2024 and last for one year.
Construction emissions for most phases were calculated using CalEEMod default phasing and equipment for the given land use, project site size, and building size. To account for rock drilling and crushing, a rock drill, crushing/processing equipment, and an additional excavator were added to the grading phase. Project grading would include the export of 4,500 cubic yards of soil.
Table 2 shows the total projected construction maximum daily emission levels for each criteria pollutant. The CalEEMod output files for construction emissions for the project are contained in Appendix A.
Table 2
Summary of Maximum Build-out Construction Emissions
(pounds per day)
ROG NOX CO SOX PM10 PM2.5
Site Preparation 4 36 34 <1 9 5
Grading 38 39 83 <1 6 3
Building Construction/
Architectural Coatings 15 13 16 <1 1 1
Paving 3 8 11 <1 1 <1
Maximum Daily Emissions 38 39 83 <1 9 5
Significance Threshold 250 250 550 250 100 67
Source: Appendix A
Standard dust control measures would be implemented as a part of project construction in accordance with mandatory SDAPCD rules and regulations. Fugitive dust emissions were calculated using CalEEMod default values with implementation of SDAPCD dust control measures.
Initial Study/Environmental Checklist Form
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To assess the significance of the air quality emissions resulting from construction of the project, construction emissions were compared to the significance thresholds. As shown, maximum daily construction emissions associated with the project are projected to be less than the applicable thresholds for all criteria pollutants. These thresholds are designed to provide limits below which project emissions would not significantly change regional air quality. In addition, the project applicant would implement standard construction measures in order to comply with mandatory SDAPCD rules and regulations (Rules 50, 51, 52, 54, and 55) for controlling emissions from fugitive dust and fumes:
• Water the grading areas a minimum of twice daily to minimize fugitive dust. • Provide sufficient erosion control to prevent washout of silty material onto public roads. • Cover haul trucks or maintain at least 12 inches of freeboard to reduce blow-off during hauling.
• Periodically sweep up dirt and debris spilled onto paved surfaces to reduce resuspension of particulate matter caused by vehicle movement. Clean approach routes to construction sites of construction-related dirt.
Further, all construction equipment is subject to the California Air Resources Board (CARB) In-Use Off-Road Diesel-Fueled Fleets Regulation. This regulation, which applies to all off-road diesel vehicles 25 horsepower or greater, limits unnecessary idling to five minutes, requires all construction fleets to be labeled and report to CARB, bans Tier 0 equipment and phases out Tier 1 and 2 equipment (thereby replacing fleets with cleaner equipment), and requires that fleets comply with Best Available Control Technology requirements.
Therefore, as project construction emissions would be well below these limits and the project would implement standard construction measures in order to comply with SDAPCD rules and regulations and CARB’s In-Use Off-Road Diesel-Fueled Fleets Regulation, construction emissions would not result in regional emissions that would exceed the NAAQS or CAAQS or contribute to existing violations. Therefore, construction of the project would not result in a cumulatively considerable net increase of any criteria pollutant for which the project region is non-attainment, and impacts would be less than significant.
Operational Emissions
Operation of the project would result in long-term emissions from mobile, energy, and area sources.
Mobile emissions were calculated using Institute of Transportation Engineers (ITE) 11th Edition trip generation rates. The two car dealerships and body shop portion of the project would generate 2,436 daily trips and the car wash would generate 900 daily trips for a total of 3,336 daily trips. CalEEMod default trip lengths and vehicle emission factors for the soonest operational year of 2025 were modeled.
Energy sources include emissions from the combustion of natural gas used for water heating, and area sources include emissions from the use of landscaping equipment, consumer products (aerosols, cleansers, etc.), and architectural coatings (e.g., building and parking lot paint). These energy and area sources were calculated based on default CalEEMod regional use factors.
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ROG/VOC emission would also be generated by the paint surface coating activities associated with the spray booth. Although CalEEMod is not able to estimate ROG/VOC emissions associated specifically with the spray booth, it is not anticipated that the spray booth would generate significant ROGs/VOCs due to the overall small size of the facility. In addition, the project would be required to adhere to the SDAPCD Rule 67.20.1: Motor Vehicle and Mobile Equipment Coating Operations. Based on the SDAPCD 2020 Industry Wide Emissions Inventory Report (SDAPCD 2020), the Caliber Collusion auto body repair shops similar to the one proposed emit up to 0.73 tons per year of ROG/VOC which equates to approximately 4 pounds per day. When combined with the emissions shown in Table 3 below, emissions would be well less than the significance threshold. With adherence to SDAPCD Rule 67.20.1, emissions due to the spray booth would be less than significant.
Table 3 provides a summary of the total operational emissions generated by the project. CalEEMod output files for operation of the project are contained in Appendix A.
Table 3
Summary of Maximum Build-out Operational Emissions
(pounds per day)
Emission Source ROG NOX CO SOX PM10 PM2.5
Area Sources 3 <1 4 <1 <1 <1
Energy Sources <1 1 1 <1 <1 <1
Mobile Sources 14 11 100 <1 8 2
Total 17 12 104 <1 8 2
Significance Threshold 250 250 550 250 100 67
Source: Appendix A
Note: Totals may vary due to independent rounding.
As shown in Table 3, operation of the project would not generate regional emissions that would exceed the NAAQS or CAAQS or contribute to existing violations. Therefore, operation of the project would not result in a cumulatively considerable net increase of any criteria pollutant for which the project region is non-attainment, and impacts would be less than significant. c. Less than Significant Impact. A sensitive receptor is a person in the population who is more susceptible to health effects due to exposure to an air contaminant than is the population at large.
Examples of sensitive receptor locations in the community include residences, schools, playgrounds, childcare centers, churches, athletic facilities, retirement homes, and long-term health care facilities.
Land uses surrounding the project site include commercial uses to the north, multi-family residential uses to the east, single-family residences to the south, and multi-family residential uses to the west.
Diesel Particulate Matter–Construction
Construction of the project would result in short-term diesel exhaust emissions from on-site heavy-duty equipment. Construction of the project would result in the generation of diesel exhaust diesel particulate matter (DPM) emissions from the use of off-road diesel equipment required for site grading and excavation, paving, and other construction activities and on-road diesel equipment used to bring materials to and from the project site. Not all construction worker vehicles would be diesel-fueled and most DPM emissions associated with material delivery trucks and construction worker vehicles would occur off-site.
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Generation of DPM from construction projects typically occurs in a single area for a short period.
According to the OEHHA, health risk assessments, which determine the exposure of sensitive receptors to toxic emissions, should be based on a 30-year exposure period; however, such assessments should be limited to the period/duration of activities associated with the project (OEHHA 2015). Thus, if the duration of proposed construction activities near any specific sensitive receptor were a year, the exposure would be three percent of the total exposure period used for health risk calculation.
For purposes of analyzing construction-related toxic air contaminant emissions and their impact on sensitive receptors, the maximum annual PM10 emissions from equipment exhaust were used to develop an average daily emission rate. The exhaust emissions were calculated by CalEEMod, and the maximum annual DPM concentration was calculated using AERSCREEN. AERSCREEN calculates a worst-case maximum 1-hour concentration at a specific distance and specific angle from the source.
The maximum 1-hour concentration is then converted to an annual concentration using a 0.08 conversion factor (U.S. Environmental Protection Agency [U.S. EPA] 1992).
Once the dispersed concentrations of diesel particulates are estimated in the surrounding air, they are used to evaluate estimated exposure to people. Exposure is evaluated by calculating the dose in milligrams per kilogram body weight per day (mg/kg/d). For residential exposure, the breathing rates are determined for specific age groups, so inhalation dose (Dose-air) is calculated for each of these age groups: third trimester of pregnancy, 0<2, 2<9, 2<16, 16<30 and 16–70 years. The equation for dose through inhalation (Dose-air) is as follows:
Dose-air = (Cair x DBR × A × EF × 10-6);
Where:
Dose-air = Chronic daily intake, mg/kg/d
Cair = Ground-level concentration of toxic air contaminants to which the receptor is exposed, micrograms/cubic meter
DBR = Daily breathing rate, normalized to body weight (liters per kilogram body weight per day (Office of Environmental Health Hazard Assessment [OEHHA] 2015) A = Inhalation absorption factor (OEHHA recommended factor of 1) EF = Exposure frequency, days/year (OEHHA recommended factor of 0.96 for resident and 0.68 for workers)
Initial Study/Environmental Checklist Form
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Cancer risk is calculated by multiplying the daily inhalation or oral dose, by a cancer potency factor, the age sensitivity factor, the frequency of time spent at home and the exposure duration divided by averaging time, to yield the excess cancer risk. The excess cancer risk is calculated separately for each age grouping and then summed to yield cancer risk for any given location. The worst-case cancer risk is calculated as follows:
Excess Cancer Risk = Dose-air × CPF × ASF × ED/AT × FAH; Where:
Dose-air = Chronic daily intake, mg/kg body weight per day CPF = Cancer potency factor (mg/kg/d)
ASF = Age sensitivity factor
ED = Exposure duration (years)
AT = Averaging time for lifetime cancer risk (years)
FAH = Fraction of time at home
Non-cancer risks are defined as chronic or acute. With respect to DPM only chronic risks are calculated and are determined by the hazard index. To calculate hazard index, DPM concentration is divided by its chronic Reference Exposure Levels. Where the total equals or exceeds one, a health hazard is presumed to exist.
In this analysis, non-carcinogenic impacts are evaluated for chronic exposure inhalation exposure.
Estimates of health impacts from non-carcinogenic concentrations are expressed as a hazard quotient (HQ) for individual substances, such as diesel particulate. An HQ of one or less indicates that adverse health effects are not expected to result from exposure to emissions of that substance.
Reference Exposure Levels are defined as the concentration at which no adverse health effects are anticipated. Generally, the inhalation pathway is the largest contributor to the total dose. The HQ is calculated with the flowing equation:
HQ = Ground-Level Concentration (μg/m3
)/Reference Exposure Level (μg/m3)
It should also be noted that all construction equipment is subject to the CARB In-Use Off-Road Diesel-Fueled Fleets Regulation. This regulation, which applies to all off-road diesel vehicles 25 horsepower or greater, limits unnecessary idling to five minutes, requires all construction fleets to be labeled and reported to CARB, bans Tier 0 equipment and phases out Tier 1 and 2 equipment (thereby replacing fleets with cleaner equipment), and requires that fleets comply with Best Available Control Technology requirements.
Based on the CalEEMod calculations for project construction, the project would result in on-site maximum annual emissions of 0.1055 ton of PM10 exhaust. This maximum annual emissions rate was modeled over the entire 12-month construction period, and therefore is a conservative assessment.
Based on AERSCREEN modeling results, the maximum 1-hour ground-level DPM concentration from construction activities would be 0.02617 micrograms per cubic meter (µg/m3 ). This was converted to
an annual average concentration of 0.00209 µg/m3 using a conversion factor of 0.08 (U.S. EPA 1992).
The resulting annual concentration was used in the equations discussed above. Using this methodology, it was calculated that the excess cancer risk would be 0.38 in a million. AERSCREEN and cancer risk calculations are provided in Appendix A. DPM generated by project construction is Initial Study/Environmental Checklist Form
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not expected to create conditions where the probability is greater than 10 in 1 million of contracting cancer. Additionally, the HQ would be 0.0004, which is less than one. Therefore, the project would not expose sensitive receptors to substantial pollutant concentrations associated with diesel particulate matter during construction that could result in excess cancer risks, and impacts would be less than significant.
Carbon Monoxide Hot Spots
Localized CO concentration is a direct function of motor vehicle activity at signalized intersections (e.g., idling time and traffic flow conditions), particularly during peak commute hours and meteorological conditions. The SDAB is a CO maintenance area under the federal Clean Air Act. This means that SDAB was previously a non-attainment area and is currently implementing a 10-year plan for continuing to meet and maintain air quality standards.
Due to increased requirements for cleaner vehicles, equipment, and fuels, CO levels in the state have dropped substantially. All air basins are attainment or maintenance areas for CO. Therefore, more recent screening procedures based on more current methodologies have been developed. The Sacramento Metropolitan Air Quality Management District developed a screening threshold in 2011, which states that any project involving an intersection experiencing 31,600 vehicles per hour or more will require detailed analysis. In addition, the Bay Area Air Quality Management District developed a screening threshold in 2010 which states that any project involving an intersection experiencing 44,000 vehicles per hour would require detailed analysis. Based on the intersection turning volumes provided in the traffic analysis prepared for the project (see Appendix B), intersection traffic volumes would be significantly less than 31,600 vehicles per hour. Consequently, the project is not anticipated to result in a CO hot spot. Therefore, project operation would not expose sensitive receptors to substantial pollutant concentrations, and impacts would be less than significant.
D. Less than Significant Impact. During construction, the use of fuels, including diesel, would generate some nuisance odors. However, these odors generated during construction would be temporary, intermittent, disperse quickly, and would not affect a substantial number of people. The project would not be a significant operational source of objectionable odors. The project would construct an auto service shop on Parcels A and B, and an auto body shop on Parcel C that would include coating operations; thus, the project could be subject to odor complaints. However, all operational activities would occur within the proposed building inside an enclosed and ventilated painting booth.
Appropriate ventilation systems would be installed in accordance with state and SDAPCD rules and regulations. The car dealerships and car wash portions of the project would not be a source of objectionable odors. Therefore, the project would not generate odors adversely affecting a substantial number of people, and impacts would be less than significant.
Initial Study/Environmental Checklist Form
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15.4 Biological Resources
Would the project:
Issue
Potentially
Significant
Impact
Less Than
Significant with
Mitigation
Less Than
Significant
Impact No Impact
a. Have substantial adverse effects, either
directly or through habitat
modifications, on any species
identified as a candidate, sensitive, or
special status species in local or
regional plans, policies, or regulations,
or by the California Department of
Fish and Wildlife (CDFW) or U.S. Fish
and Wildlife Service (USFWS)?
b. Have a substantial adverse effect on
any riparian habitat or other sensitive
natural community identified in local
or regional plans, policies, and
regulations or by the CDFW or
USFWS?
c. Have a substantial adverse effect on
state or federally protected wetlands
(including, but not limited to, marsh,
vernal pool, coastal, etc.) through
direct removal, filling, hydrological
interruption, or other means?
d. Interfere substantially with the
movement of any native resident or
migratory fish or wildlife species or
with established native resident or
migratory wildlife corridors, or impede
the use of native wildlife nursery sites?
e. Conflict with any local policies or
ordinances protecting biological
resources, such as tree preservation
policy or ordinance?
f. Conflict with the provisions of an
adopted Habitat Conservation Plan,
Natural Community Conservation Plan,
or other approved local, regional, or
state habitat conservation plan?
Sources: City of Santee Draft Multiple Species Conservation Program Subarea Plan; City of Santee, General Plan, Conservation Element
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a. Less than Significant with Mitigation. The project site consists entirely of Urban/Developed Land as delineated on Figure 6-3 of the General Plan Conservation Element. Existing land cover on the project site includes non-vegetated pervious areas and is surrounded by development on all sides.
In addition, the site was originally developed as an elementary school (Santee Elementary School) in the 1920s and was used as such until 2007. Subsequent grading to remove rock material has also occurred. Suitable nesting trees are located on the project site. If vegetation clearing activities are proposed during or continue into the general bird breeding season (February 15–August 30), mitigation measure BIO-1 would require a pre-construction clearance survey for nesting birds and raptors. Implementation of mitigation measure BIO-1 would reduce potential impacts to nesting birds and raptors to a level less than significant.
b. No Impact. As described in 15.4(a), the project site consists entirely of Urban/Developed Land that does not qualify as riparian habitat. Therefore, there is no riparian habitat located on the project site.
No impact would occur.
c. No Impact. No drainages, wetlands, or waters are located within the project site. Therefore, there are no state or federally protected wetlands located on the project site. No impact would occur. d. No Impact. The project site consists of Urban/Developed Land, is surrounded by development on all sides, and does not connect separate isolated areas of habitat. In addition, the project site does not function as a wildlife corridor, nor are there any wildlife corridors adjacent to the project site within the surrounding urban environment. No impact would occur. e. No Impact. The City’s Urban Forestry Ordinance “sets forth tree-related policies, regulations, and generally accepted standards for planting, trimming, and removing trees on public property and public rights-of-way” (Ord. 561 § 3, 2019). The ordinance identifies native tree species such as coast live oak (Quercus agrifolia), canyon live oak (Quercus chrysolepis), Englemann oak (Quercus engelmannii), and western sycamore (Platanus racemosa) as “protected trees.” However, there are no native trees located on the project site that would require protection under the City’s Urban Forestry Ordinance. Therefore, the project would not conflict with any local policies or ordinances protecting biological resources, such as tree preservation policy or ordinance. No impact would occur.
f. No Impact. The City does not have an adopted Habitat Conservation Plan. The project site is classified as Urban/Developed and is not located within the Draft Preserve of the City’s Draft Multiple Species Conservation Program Subarea Plan. The project site is not proposed for conservation and is not adjacent to any preserve areas. The project would not conflict with any local policies or ordinances protecting biological resources. Therefore, the project would not conflict with the provisions of an adopted Habitat Conservation Plan, Natural Community Conservation Plan, or other approved local, regional, or state habitat conservation plan. No impact would occur.
BIO-1 – Nesting Birds and Raptors
If vegetation clearing activities are proposed during or continue into the general bird breeding season (February 15–August 30), a pre-construction clearance survey for nesting birds and raptors shall be conducted. The survey shall cover all suitable nesting habitats that occur within the proposed project site. The pre-construction survey shall be conducted within three days of the start of work.
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If any active nests are detected, the area will be flagged and mapped along with a buffer as recommended by the qualified biologist. The buffer area(s) established by the qualified biologist will be avoided until the nesting cycle is complete or it is determined that the nest is no longer active.
The qualified biologist shall be a person familiar with bird breeding behavior and capable of identifying the bird species of San Diego County by sight and sound and determining alterations of behavior as a result of human interaction. Buffers will be based on species-appropriate buffers and/or local topography and line of sight, species behavior and tolerance to disturbance, and existing disturbance levels, as determined appropriate by the qualified biologist.
15.5 Cultural Resources
Would the project:
Issue
Potentially
Significant
Impact
Less Than
Significant with
Mitigation
Less Than
Significant
Impact No Impact
a. Cause a substantial adverse change
in the significance of an historical
resource pursuant to §15064.5?
b. Cause a substantial adverse change
in the significance of an
archaeological resource pursuant
to §15064.5?
c. Disturb human remains, including
those interred outside of formal
cemeteries?
Sources: City of Santee General Plan-Conservation Element; Cultural Resources Due Diligence Study prepared by Rincon Consultants, Inc. (2019, Appendix C); Phase II Cultural Resources Testing and Evaluation Report prepared by Rincon Consultants, Inc. (2019, Appendix D); Cultural Resources Technical Memorandum prepared by Rincon Consultants, Inc. (2023, Appendix E). a and b. Less than Significant with Mitigation. The term “historic resources” applies to any such resource that is at least 50 years old and is listed or determined eligible for listing in the California Register of Historical Resources. In April and May 2019, Rincon Consultants completed pedestrian surveys of the project site and identified several prehistoric bedrock milling features (BMFs) and the archaeological remains of the historic period Santee Elementary School. The multi-component archaeological resource was given the temporary site designation RIN-S-1. RIN-S-1 includes the majority of the project site. Based on the positive findings of the survey, Rincon Consultants recommended that the archaeological remains be formally recorded and that a Phase II study be conducted to evaluate the significance of RIN-S-1 for listing on the California Register of Historical Resources (CRHR) and National Register of Historic Places (NRHP).
The Phase II evaluation program included field, laboratory, and archival studies. Field work was conducted by Rincon personnel between July 15 and 19, 2019. The field work effort consisted of site documentation and mapping and the excavation of 28 shovel test pits and 1 test unit. A Native American monitor from Red Tail Environmental was present during the archaeological test Initial Study/Environmental Checklist Form
Santee Auto Center Project
excavations. Site documentation resulted in the recordation of 18 archaeological features, including 11 prehistoric BMFs and the remnants of 7 historic period buildings and structures. Test excavations revealed a low-density, subsurface deposit of prehistoric artifacts was associated with the BMFs. A larger, low-density, subsurface deposit of historic and modern artifacts was also identified extending across much of the project site. Examination of the prehistoric cultural deposits found extensive subsurface disturbance with prehistoric cultural constituents intermixed with historic and modern refuse.
Following completion of the field work, artifact analyses were conducted of the flaked and ground stone artifacts, faunal remains, and ceramics. Special studies, including obsidian X-ray fluorescence and hydration analyses, were also undertaken to acquire lithic sourcing and chronometric data, respectively. Finally, archival research was completed to obtain information on the history and development of Santee Elementary School.
Based on the results of the Phase II study, RIN-S-1 was recommended as ineligible for listing on the NRHP and CRHR. The prehistoric and historic components of the site were not associated with events that have made a significant contribution to broad patterns of prehistory or history (NRHP Criterion A/CRHR Criterion 1), nor are they associated with the lives of persons significant to the past (NRHP Criterion B/CRHR Criterion 2). They do not embody the distinctive characteristics of a type, period, or method of construction (NRHP Criterion C/CRHR Criterion 3). Finally, test excavations indicated that the prehistoric subsurface cultural deposits are not extensive and exhibit a high level of disturbance. Data recovery efforts on these have little potential to yield additional data pertinent to addressing research questions. In addition, further study of the historic period remains at the site is not expected to yield any new information important on either the construction or use of the Santee Elementary School. Therefore, the prehistoric or historic components of the site were recommended as ineligible for listing under NRHP Criterion D/CRHR Criterion 4.
In 2023, Rincon prepared a Cultural Resources Technical Memorandum (Appendix E) to document the current conditions of RIN-S-1 and the project site. Rincon archaeologists, as well as Annabel Flores from the Jamul Indian Village of the Kumeyaay Nation (Jamul) conducted a pedestrian survey of the project site on March 10, 2023, to ascertain the current conditions of the project site and archaeological site RIN-S-1. Rincon found that the multicomponent archaeological site RIN-S-1 was almost entirely displaced by boulder removal that occurred on the project site subsequent to the resource’s 2019 recordation. All the historic-period features that were likely associated with Santee Elementary School have been removed.
Although RIN-S-1 was deemed ineligible for inclusion in the NRHP and CRHR, there is still potential for additional buried archaeological deposits that could be encountered during project related ground disturbance. Due to the overall sensitivity of the project area, the project would require completion of a Worker’s Environmental Awareness Program prior to the start of ground disturbance for the project and that archaeological and Native American monitoring take place during initial project related ground disturbance. Implementation of mitigation measures CUL-1 through CUL-4 would reduce impacts to historic and unique archaeological resources to a level less than significant. c. Less than Significant Impact. There are no dedicated cemeteries or recorded burials within the project footprint or surrounding vicinity and no human remains are known to be present within the project site. However, the discovery of human remains is always a possibility during Initial Study/Environmental Checklist Form
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ground-disturbing activities. Implementation of mitigation measure CUL-5 requires the project to adhere to California Health and Safety Code Section 7050.5. Project implementation of mitigation measure CUL-5 would reduce impacts related to the discovery of human remains to a less than significant level.
CUL-1: Worker Environmental Awareness Program
Prior to the commencement of project-related ground-disturbing activities, including but not limited to site clearing, grubbing, trenching, and excavation, a qualified archaeologist who meets or exceeds the Secretary of the Interior’s Professional Qualifications Standards for archaeology shall provide a Worker Environmental Awareness Program for the general contractor, subcontractors, and construction workers participating in ground-disturbing activity for project construction. The Worker Environmental Awareness Program training shall describe the potential of exposing archaeological resources, types of cultural materials that may be encountered, and directions on the steps that shall be taken if such a find is encountered. This training may be presented alongside other environmental training programs required prior to construction. A Worker Environmental Awareness Program acknowledgment form shall be signed by workers who receive the training.
CUL-2: Preparation of a Cultural Resources Mitigation and Monitoring Program Prior to the start of any ground-disturbing activity for project construction, including but not limited to site clearing, grubbing, trenching, and excavation, a qualified archaeologist who meets or exceeds the Secretary of Interior’s Professional Qualifications Standards for archaeology shall be retained to prepare a Cultural Resources Mitigation and Monitoring Program for unanticipated discoveries during project construction. The Cultural Resources Mitigation and Monitoring Program shall be prepared in consultation with Native American tribes who have participated in consultation for the project. The Cultural Resources Mitigation and Monitoring Program shall include provisions for archaeological, historic, and Native American monitoring of initial ground disturbance related to construction of the project, project construction schedule, procedures to be followed in the event of discovery of archaeological resources including additional artifacts or features associated with RINS-1, and protocols for Native American coordination and input, including review of documents. The Cultural Resources Mitigation and Monitoring Program shall outline the role and responsibilities of Native American monitor(s). It shall include communication protocols and opportunity and timelines for review of cultural resources documents related to discoveries that are Native American in origin.
The Cultural Resources Mitigation and Monitoring Program shall include provisions for Native American monitoring during testing or data recovery efforts for unknown resources that are Native American in origin, shall any be encountered. Once completed, the Cultural Resources Mitigation and Monitoring Program shall be reviewed and approved by the Project Planner at the City of Santee prior to the start of any ground disturbing activities.
CUL-3: Cultural Resources Construction Monitoring
A qualified archaeologist who meets or exceeds the Secretary of Interior’s Professional Qualifications Standards for archaeology shall be present during ground-disturbing activity for project construction, including but not limited to site clearing, grubbing, trenching, and excavation, for the duration of the project ground disturbance or until the qualified archaeologist determines monitoring is no longer necessary.
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At the completion of monitoring, the qualified archaeologist should shall prepare a Cultural Resources Monitoring Report to document the findings during the monitoring effort for the project.
The report should shall include the monitoring logs completed for the project and should shall document any discoveries made during monitoring. The Cultural Resources Monitoring Report should shall be submitted to the City of Santee and the South Coastal Information Center.
CUL-4: Native American Construction Monitoring
A minimum of one Native American monitor shall be present during ground-disturbing activity for project ground disturbance, including but not limited to site clearing, grubbing, trenching, and excavation, for the duration of the project ground disturbance or until the qualified archaeologist determines monitoring is no longer necessary. The Native American monitors shall be of Kumeyaay descent with ancestral ties to the San Diego region and at minimum one year of monitoring experience within Kumeyaay ancestral territory.
CUL-5: California Health and Safety Code Section 7050.5 During project construction, if human remains are found, the California Health and Safety Code Section 7050.5 states no further disturbance shall occur until the County Coroner has made a determination of origin and disposition pursuant to Public Resources Code Section 5097.98. Per the Public Resources Code, in the event of an unanticipated discovery of human remains, the County Coroner shall be notified immediately. If the human remains are determined to be prehistoric, the coroner shall notify the Native American Heritage Commission, which will determine and notify a Most Likely Descendant.
15.6 Energy
Would the project:
Issue
Potentially
Significant
Impact
Less Than
Significant with
Mitigation
Less Than
Significant
Impact No Impact
a. Result in potentially significant
environmental impacts due to
wasteful, inefficient, or unnecessary
consumption of energy resources,
during project construction or
operation?
b. Conflict with or obstruct a state or
local plan for renewable energy or
energy efficiency?
Sources: Project Description, California Green Building Standards Code (CALGreen) and the California Energy Code (Title 24, Part 6 of the California Code of Regulations).
Initial Study/Environmental Checklist Form
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a. Less Than Significant Impact.
Energy use associated with a project typically includes fuel (gasoline and diesel), electricity, and natural gas, and sources include the following:
• Construction-related vehicle and equipment energy use. • Transportation energy use from people traveling to and from the project area during operation.
• Building and facility energy use of the project during operation.
Construction-Related Energy Use
Energy use during construction would occur within two general categories: fuel use from vehicles used by workers commuting to and from the construction site, and fuel use by vehicles and other equipment to conduct construction activities. Fuel consumption associated with construction worker commute would be similar of any other typical commute in San Diego County and would not result in a wasteful, inefficient, or unnecessary consumption of gasoline or diesel fuel. Consistent with state requirements, all construction equipment would meet CARB Tier 3 In-Use Off-Road Diesel Engine Standards. Engines are required to meet certain emission standards, and groups of standards are referred to as Tiers. A Tier 0 engine is unregulated with no emission controls, and each progression of standard level (i.e., Tier 1, Tier 2, Tier 3, etc.) generates lower emissions, use less energy, and are more advanced technologically than the previous tier. CARB’s Tier 3 In-Use Off-Road Diesel Engine Standards requires that construction equipment fleets become cleaner and use less energy over time. There are no known conditions in the project area that would require nonstandard equipment or construction practices that would increase fuel-energy consumption above typical equipment fuel consumption rates. Additionally, construction activities would be temporary and short-term (twelve months) and would adhere to all construction BMPs. Therefore, project construction would not result in the wasteful, inefficient, or unnecessary consumption of energy resources, and impacts would be less than significant.
Operation-Related Energy Use
During operation, energy use would be associated with transportation-related fuel use (gasoline, diesel fuel, and electric vehicles), and building-related energy use (electricity and natural gas).
Transportation-Related Energy Use
Buildout of the project and vehicle trips associated with the project would result in transportation energy use. Trips by individuals traveling to and from the project site would result from the use of passenger vehicles and work trucks. Vehicles would be mostly powered by gasoline, with some fueled by diesel or electricity. The two car dealerships and body shop would generate 2,436 daily trips and the 5,400-square-foot car wash would generate 900 daily trips for a total of 3,336 daily trips. Based on CalEEMod default trip lengths, the project would generate 3,298,000 vehicle miles travelled (VMT) annually.
Periodic deliveries would occur to bring new cars and other goods deliveries to the project site.
Vehicle deliveries would occur after construction activities are completed and would be similar or less than the number of delivery trips required to deliver building materials to the site. However, Initial Study/Environmental Checklist Form
Santee Auto Center Project
these trips would be minimal and would not result in an exceedance of daily emission thresholds or result in excessive energy consumption.
Project fuel consumption would decline over time beyond the initial operational year of the project as a result of continued implementation of increased federal and state vehicle efficiency standards.
There is no component of the project that would result in unusually high vehicle fuel use during operation. Therefore, operation of the project would not create a land use pattern that would result in wasteful, inefficient, or unnecessary use of energy, and impacts would be less than significant.
Non-Transportation-Related Energy Use
Non-transportation energy use would be associated with electricity and natural gas. The Renewables Portfolio Standard (RPS) promotes diversification of the state’s electricity supply and decreased reliance on fossil fuel energy sources. Renewable energy includes (but is not limited to) wind, solar, geothermal, small hydroelectric, biomass, anaerobic digestion, and landfill gas. Originally adopted in 2002 with a goal to achieve a 20 percent renewable energy mix by 2020 (referred to as the “Initial RPS”), the goal has been accelerated and increased by Executive Orders (EOs) S-14-08 and S-21-09 to a goal of 33 percent by 2020. In April 2011, Senate Bill (SB) 2 (1X) codified California’s 33 percent RPS goal. SB 350 (2015) increased California’s renewable energy mix goal to 50 percent by the year 2030. SB 100 (2018) further increased the standard set by SB 350 establishing the RPS goal of 44 percent by the end of 2024, 52 percent by the end of 2027, and 60 percent by 2030. Once operational, the project would be served by San Diego Gas & Electric (SDG&E). Based on the most recent annual report, SDG&E has already procured 39 percent (California Public Utilities Commission 2021) renewable energy and is on track to procure 60 percent by 2030 as outlined in SDG&E’s 2019 RPS Procurement Plan.
The California Code of Regulations, Title 24, is referred to as the California Building Code (CBC). It consists of a compilation of several distinct standards and codes related to building construction, including plumbing, electrical, interior acoustics, energy efficiency, handicap accessibility, and so on.
Of particular relevance to greenhouse gas (GHG) reductions are the CBC’s energy efficiency and green building standards as outlined below.
Title 24, Part 11 of the California Code of Regulations is CALGreen. Beginning in 2011, CALGreen instituted mandatory minimum environmental performance standards for all ground-up new construction of commercial and low-rise residential buildings, state-owned buildings, schools, and hospitals. It also includes voluntary tiers (I and II) with stricter environmental performance standards for these same categories of residential and non-residential buildings. Local jurisdictions must enforce the minimum mandatory requirements and may adopt CALGreen with amendments for stricter requirements.
Initial Study/Environmental Checklist Form
Santee Auto Center Project
The project would, at a minimum, be required to comply with the mandatory measures included in the current 2022 Energy Code (California Code of Regulations, Title 24, Part 6) and the 2022 CALGreen standards, which went into effect January 1, 2023. The mandatory standards require the following:
• EV charging for new construction
• outdoor water use requirements as outlined in local water efficient landscaping ordinances or current Model Water Efficient Landscape Ordinance standards, whichever is more stringent;
• requirements for water conserving plumbing fixtures and fittings; • 65 percent construction/demolition waste diverted from landfills; • inspections of energy systems to ensure optimal working efficiency; and • low-pollutant emitting exterior and interior finish materials such as paints, carpets, vinyl flooring, and particle boards.
Similar to the compliance reporting procedure for demonstrating Energy Code compliance in new buildings and major renovations, compliance with the CALGreen operational water reduction requirements must be demonstrated through completion of water use reporting forms for new low-rise residential and non-residential buildings. The water use compliance form must demonstrate a 20 percent reduction in indoor water use by either showing a 20 percent reduction in the overall baseline water use as identified in CALGreen or a reduced per-plumbing-fixture water use rate.
Electricity and natural gas service to the project site is provided by SDG&E. Once operational, the project would use electricity and natural gas to run various appliances and equipment, including space and water heaters, air conditioners, ventilation equipment, lights, and numerous other devices.
Generally, electricity use is higher in the warmer months due to increased air conditioning needs, and natural gas use is highest when the weather is colder as a result of high heating demand. As a part of the air quality modeling prepared for the project (see Appendix A), CalEEMod was used to estimate the total operational electricity and natural gas consumption associated with the project.
Table 4 summarizes the anticipated operational energy and natural gas use.
Table 4
Operational Electricity and Natural Gas Use
Total Use
Electricity 881,954 kWh/Year
Natural Gas 1,043,460 BTU/Year
kwH = kilowatt hour; BTU = British thermal units
Buildout of the project would result in an increase of operational electricity and natural gas usage when compared to the existing condition. The project would be required to meet the mandatory energy requirements of 2022 CALGreen and the California Energy Code (Title 24, Part 6 of the California Code of Regulations) and would benefit from the efficiencies associated with these regulations as they relate to building heating, ventilating, and air conditioning mechanical systems, water-heating systems, and lighting. Additionally, the project would implement all applicable GHG reduction measures related to energy efficiency and clean energy as required by the City’s Initial Study/Environmental Checklist Form
Santee Auto Center Project
Sustainable Santee Plan (see Section 15.8). These measures include increasing energy efficiency through CALGreen mandatory and voluntary requirements, decreasing energy demand through reducing the urban heat island effect, and installing a solar photovoltaic system. Therefore, there are no project features that would support the use of excessive amounts of energy or would create unnecessary energy waste, or conflict with any adopted plan for renewable energy efficiency, and impacts would be less than significant.
b. Less Than Significant Impact. The applicable state plans that address renewable energy and energy efficiency are CALGreen, the California Energy Code, and RPS, and the applicable local plan is the Sustainable Santee Plan. As discussed in Section 15.6.a, the project would be required to meet the mandatory energy requirements of 2022 CALGreen and the 2022 California Energy Code. The project would not conflict with or obstruct implementation of CALGreen and the California Energy Code, or with SDG&E’s implementation of RPS. Additionally, as detailed in Section 15.8 below, the project would be consistent with the Sustainable Santee Plan. Therefore, the project would not conflict with or obstruct a state or local plan for renewable energy or energy efficiency, and impacts would be less than significant.
15.7 Geology and Soils
Would the project:
Issue
Potentially
Significant
Impact
Less Than
Significant with
Mitigation
Less Than
Significant
Impact No Impact
a. Directly or indirectly cause
potential substantial adverse
effects, including the risk of loss,
injury, or death involving:
(i) Rupture of a known
earthquake fault, as
delineated on the most
recent Alquist-Priolo
Earthquake Fault Zoning Map
issued by the State Geologist
for the area or based on
other substantial evidence of
a known fault?
(ii) Strong seismic ground
shaking?
(iii) Seismic-related ground
failure, including liquefaction?
(iv) Landslides?
b. Result in substantial soil erosion or
the loss of topsoil?
Initial Study/Environmental Checklist Form
Santee Auto Center Project
Issue
Potentially
Significant
Impact
Less Than
Significant with
Mitigation
Less Than
Significant
Impact No Impact
c. Be located on a geologic unit or
soil that is unstable, or that would
become unstable as a result of the
project, and potentially result in
on- or off-site landslide, lateral
spreading, subsidence, liquefaction
or collapse?
d. Be located on expansive soil, as
defined in Table 18-1-B of the
Uniform Building Code (1994),
creating substantial direct or
indirect risks to life or property?
e. Have soils incapable of adequately
supporting the use of septic tanks
or alternative wastewater disposal
systems where sewers are not
available for the disposal of
wastewater?
f. Directly or indirectly destroy a
unique paleontological resource or
site or unique geologic feature?
Source(s): Geotechnical Investigation prepared by GEOCON Incorporated, 2023 (Appendix F). a(i). Less than Significant Impact. The project site is not located within a State of California Alquist-Priolo fault zone and there are no known faults that traverse the project site. Consequently, the risk from fault rupture is low. Therefore, the project would not expose people or structures to rupture of a known earthquake fault, and impacts would be less than significant. a(ii). Less than Significant Impact. The project site is located in the seismically active southern California region, and therefore could be affected by seismic activity. However, the project would adhere to the City’s grading guidelines and seismic design parameters of the 2022 CBC. These site preparation activities would remove any soils that would be seismically unstable. The project would also adhere to all other geotechnical recommendations provided in the Geologic Investigation (see Appendix F) related to seismic safety. Therefore, the project would not expose people or structures to strong seismic shaking, and impacts would be less than significant. a(iii). Less than Significant Impact. Liquefaction typically occurs when a site is in a zone with seismic activity, on-site soils are cohesionless or silt/clay with low plasticity, groundwater is encountered, and soil relative densities are less than about 70 percent. If these four criteria are met, a seismic event could result in a rapid pore-water pressure increase from the earthquake-generated ground accelerations. Seismically induced settlement may occur whether the potential for liquefaction exists or not. Due to the lack of a near surface groundwater table and the dense nature of the proposed Initial Study/Environmental Checklist Form
Santee Auto Center Project
fill and underlying older alluvium and granitic rock, the potential for liquefaction and seismically induced settlement occurring at the site is considered negligible. Therefore, the project would not expose people or structures to seismic-related ground failure, including liquefaction, and impacts would be less than significant.
a(iv). No Impact. The project site and surrounding area are relatively flat and do not possess any slopes that could generate a landslide. Therefore, the project would not expose people or structures to adverse effects related to landslides. No impact would occur. b. Less than Significant Impact. Prior to construction, the project applicant shall prepare a site-specific stormwater pollution prevention plan (SWPPP) consistent with the State Water Resources Control Board (SWRCB) Construction General Permit as a condition of approval. The SWPPP shall describe BMPs to be used during construction to prevent discharge of sediment and other pollutants in storm water runoff from the project site. Typical construction BMPs include silt fencing, fiber rolls, and sweeping. Specific BMPs would be determined by the project contractor and engineer based on site-specific conditions. As part of the project, the contractor will monitor the construction BMPs, including conducting routine inspections of disturbed areas to ensure that the BMPs remain intact and effective. Adherence to these BMPs would ensure that the project would not result in substantial soil erosion or loss of topsoil, and impacts would be less than significant. c. Less than Significant Impact. Site preparation activities would remove any soils that would be seismically unstable. As a condition of project approval, the project would also adhere to all other geotechnical design recommendations provided in the Geotechnical Investigation (see Appendix F) related to seismic safety, as well as the seismic design parameters of the 2022 CBC. Therefore, the project would not be located on a geologic unit or soil that is unstable, or that would become unstable as a result of the project, and impacts would be less than significant. d. Less than Significant Impact. As stated in the Geotechnical Investigation, the soil encountered in the field investigation was found to have “very low” to “low” expansion potential. Site preparation activities would remove any soils that would be seismically unstable. In addition, the project would adhere to all other geotechnical design recommendations provided in the Geotechnical Investigation (see Appendix F) related to seismic safety, as well as the seismic design parameters of the 2022 CBC.
Therefore, the project would not be located on expansive soil, and impacts would be less than significant.
e. No Impact. The project would connect to the Padre Dam Municipal Water District (PDMWD) sewer system and would not utilize a septic tank or alternative wastewater disposal system. No impact would occur.
f. Less than Significant Impact. The project site is located within the Coastal Plain Region of the Peninsular Range Province. The Geotechnical Investigation determined that the project site is underlain by undocumented fill, topsoil, young alluvium, older alluvium, and granite rock. Review of the County of San Diego, Guidelines for Determining Significance, Paleontological Resources determined that these soils types have not been assigned moderate or high paleontological sensitivity rating. Consequently, it is unlikely that paleontological resources would be located beneath the project site. Therefore, the project would not directly or indirectly destroy a unique paleontological resource or site or unique geologic feature, and impacts would be less than significant.
Initial Study/Environmental Checklist Form
Santee Auto Center Project
15.8 Greenhouse Gas Emissions
Would the project:
Issue
Potentially
Significant
Impact
Less Than
Significant with
Mitigation
Less Than
Significant
Impact No Impact
a. Generate greenhouse gas
emissions, either directly or
indirectly, that may have a
significant impact on the
environment?
b. Conflict with an applicable plan,
policy or regulation adopted for
the purpose of reducing the
emissions of greenhouse gases?
Sources: Climate Change Scoping Plan (CARB 2008); CARB 2017 Scoping Plan; CARB 2022 Scoping Plan Update; Sustainable Santee Plan Project Consistency Checklist (Appendix G); and Sustainable Santee Plan (LSA 2019).
a. Less than Significant Impact.
The City adopted the Sustainable Santee Plan on January 8, 2020, which provides guidance for the reduction of GHG emissions within the city. The Sustainable Santee Plan provides policy direction and identifies actions the City and community will take to reduce GHG emissions consistent with State goals and targets. State GHG emissions reduction targets proposed and/or codified by EO S-3-05, Assembly Bill (AB) 32, EO B-30-15, and SB 32 include achieving 1990 emission levels by 2020 (which the state has achieved); 40 percent below 1990 levels by 2030; and 80 percent below 1990 levels by 2050. The Sustainable Santee Plan would also work to achieve a per-capita GHG emission level by 2030 in conformance with SB 32 and the CARB 2017 Scoping Plan.
The Sustainable Santee Plan Project Consistency Checklist (Checklist) is intended to be a tool for development projects to demonstrate consistency with the Sustainable Santee Plan, which is a qualified GHG emissions reduction plan in accordance with CEQA Guidelines Section 15183.5. The Checklist has been developed as part of the Sustainable Santee Plan implementation and monitoring process and supports the achievement of individual GHG reduction measures as well as the City’s overall GHG reduction goals. Additionally, the Checklist supports the City’s sustainability goals and policies that encourage sustainable development and aim to conserve and reduce the consumption of resources, such as energy and water, among others. Projects that meet the requirements of the Checklist are considered consistent with the Sustainable Santee Plan and would have a less than significant contribution to cumulative GHG impacts (i.e., the project’s incremental contribution to cumulative GHG effects is not cumulatively considerable), pursuant to CEQA Guidelines Sections 15064(h)(3), 15130(d), and 15183(b).
The project-specific Checklist is included in Appendix G. The project would be consistent with the existing General Commercial (GC) General Plan and land use zoning designations, and therefore Initial Study/Environmental Checklist Form
Santee Auto Center Project
would be consistent with the land use assumptions used in the Sustainable Santee Plan. As demonstrated in the Checklist, the project would implement all applicable GHG reduction measures related to energy efficiency, solid waste, and clean energy required by the City’s Sustainable Santee Plan. Specifically, the project would be consistent with the following goals:
• Increase Energy Efficiency (Goal 4): The project would implement all feasible and applicable CALGreen Tier 2 Building Standards. The CALGreen Tier 2 measures that would be implemented by the project are related to planning and design, energy efficiency, water efficiency and conservation, material conservation and resource efficiency, and environmental quality. Refer to the Checklist in Appendix G. • Decrease Energy Demand through Reducing Urban Heat Island Effect (Goal 5): To achieve this goal, projects are required to utilize tree planting for shade and energy efficiency, and to use light-reflecting surfaces. The project would include landscaping along project frontages and throughout the project site to provide shade. Additionally, the project would reduce energy demand by constructing cool roofs.
• Decrease GHG Emissions through a Reduction in VMT (Goal 6): Access to the project site would be provided via two driveways on Cottonwood Avenue, three driveways on Mission Gorge Road, and one driveway on Railroad Avenue. Existing bus stops are located immediately adjacent to the project site along Mission Gorge Road. The bus stops are served by the San Diego Metropolitan Transit System (MTS) bus route 833 that runs along Magnolia Avenue and Mission Gorge Road to the Santee Town Center, which is served by the Sycuan Green Line Trolley. The project would improve pedestrian connectivity by improving the sidewalk and providing landscaping along the northern project boundary. The project would provide a total of 688 parking spaces. Additionally, Mission Gorge Road is identified as a Reduced Speed Class 2 bike lane in the Santee Bicycle Master Plan. The project would include four, two-capacity bicycle racks.
• Electric Vehicles (Goal 7): The project would include 24 EV spaces in accordance with CALGreen.
• Solid Waste (Goal 9): The project would reduce waste at landfills by providing onsite recycling storage per CALGreen and the Santee Municipal Code. • Clean Energy (Goal 10): To achieve this goal, projects are required to install photovoltaic solar systems. The project would include rooftop solar panels. In addition, the project would include 33 clean air vehicle parking spaces.
Based on the project’s consistency with the City’s Sustainable Santee Plan demonstrated in the Checklist, the project’s contribution of GHGs to cumulative statewide emissions would be less than cumulatively considerable. Therefore, the project would not generate greenhouse gas emissions, either directly or indirectly, that may have a significant impact on the environment, and impacts would be less than significant.
Initial Study/Environmental Checklist Form
Santee Auto Center Project
b. Less than Significant Impact.
As described in Section 15.8.a above, the project would be consistent with the existing General Plan and land use zoning designations, and therefore would be consistent with the land use assumptions used in the Sustainable Santee Plan. As demonstrated in the Checklist, the project would implement all applicable GHG reduction measures related to energy efficiency, solid waste, and clean energy required by the City’s Sustainable Santee Plan.
AB 1279, the California Climate Crisis Act, codified the carbon neutrality target as 85 percent below 1990 levels by 2045. The 2022 Scoping Plan lays out a path to achieve targets for carbon neutrality and reduce anthropogenic GHG emissions by 85 percent below 1990 levels no later than 2045, as directed by AB 1279. Appendix D of the 2022 Scoping Plan includes local actions that jurisdictions may take to reduce GHG emissions in line with AB 1279 goals. The three key priority areas identified in the 2022 Scoping Plan are (1) transportation electrification, (2) VMT reduction, and (3) building decarbonization. The project would support transportation electrification by installing EV parking spaces in accordance with CALGreen. Additionally, the project would have less than significant VMT impacts (see Section 15.17.b). Projects located within a half-mile radius of an existing major transit stop or an existing stop along a high-quality transit corridor may be presumed to have a less-than-significant impact per the City’s VMT screening criteria. Bus routes serving the immediate project area include MTS Routes 832, 833, and 834. The bus stop closest to the project site is less than 300 feet on Mission Gorge Road along the project frontage. In addition, a portion of the project is located within the Transit Priority Area. The project would therefore reduce VMT. Lastly, the project would implement all feasible and applicable CALGreen Tier 2 Building Standards. The CALGreen Tier 2 measures that would be implemented by the project are related to planning and design, energy efficiency, water efficiency and conservation, material conservation and resource efficiency, and environmental quality.
The project would be consistent with the Sustainable Santee Plan and would support the three key priority areas identified in the 2022 Scoping Plan. Therefore, the project would not conflict with an applicable plan, policy, or regulation adopted for the purpose of reducing the emissions of GHGs, and impacts would be less than significant.
15.9 Hazards and Hazardous Materials
Would the project:
Issue
Potentially
Significant
Impact
Less Than
Significant with
Mitigation
Less Than
Significant
Impact No Impact
a. Create a significant hazard to the
public or the environment through
routine transport, use, or disposal
of hazardous materials?
Initial Study/Environmental Checklist Form
Santee Auto Center Project
Issue
Potentially
Significant
Impact
Less Than
Significant with
Mitigation
Less Than
Significant
Impact No Impact
b. Create a significant hazard to the
public or the environment through
reasonably foreseeable upset and
accident conditions involving the
release of hazardous materials into
the environment?
c. Emit hazardous emissions or
handle hazardous or acutely
hazardous materials, substances, or
waste within one-quarter mile of an
existing or proposed school?
d. Be located on a site which is
included on a list of hazardous
materials sites compiled pursuant
to Government Code Section
65962.5 and, as a result, would it
create a significant hazard to the
public or the environment?
e. For a project located within an
airport land use plan or, where
such a plan has not been adopted,
within two miles of a public airport
or public use airport, would the
project result in a safety hazard or
excessive noise for people residing
or working in the project area?
f. Impair implementation of or
physically interfere with an adopted
emergency response plan or
emergency evacuation plan?
g. Expose people or structures, either
directly or indirectly, to a significant
risk of loss, injury or death
involving wildland fires?
Sources: Project Description, City of Santee General Plan–Safety Element; California Department of Toxic Substances Control–EnviroStor Database; State Water Resources Control Board–Geotracker Database (2022); Gillespie Field Airport Land Use Compatibility Plan (ALUCP; Airport Land Use Commission [ALUC] 2010); Santee Municipal Code (Chapter 15.20.040); California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection (https://egis.fire.ca.gov/FHSZ/) Initial Study/Environmental Checklist Form
Santee Auto Center Project
a. Less than Significant Impact. The project site is bound by commercial uses to the north, multi-family residential uses to the east, single-family residences to the south, and multi-family residential uses to the west. The project would not place housing near any hazardous materials facilities. The routine use, transport, or disposal of hazardous materials is primarily associated with industrial uses, which require such materials for manufacturing operations or produce hazardous wastes as by-products of production applications. The project proposes the construction of a 33,974-square-foot auto sales and service building, a 2,549-square-foot detail bay, a second 33,112-square-foot auto sales and service building, a 5,400-square-foot self-service car wash, and a 16,405-square-foot body shop. The project does not propose or facilitate any activity involving significant use, routine transport, or disposal of hazardous substances.
Construction of the project would require the use and transport of hazardous materials such as asphalt, paints, chemicals to break down the larger boulders, and other solvents. The use and handling of these materials would follow all applicable federal, state, and local regulations, including California Occupational Safety and Health Administration, California Department of Transportation (Caltrans), and the California Department of Environmental Health Hazardous Materials Division. All hazardous materials are required to be utilized and transported in accordance with their labeling pursuant to federal and state law. Routine construction practices include good housekeeping measures to prevent/contain/clean-up spills and contamination from fuels, solvents, concrete wastes, and other waste materials.
The operation of the project may involve the use of paints, other solvents, and cleaners. Cleaning solutions would be used for daily operation and paints would be used in the body shop and for routine maintenance and re-coating of structures. The remnants of these and other products are disposed of as household hazardous waste that includes lead-acid battery waste, electronic wastes, and other wastes that are prohibited or discouraged from being disposed of at local landfills. The project would be required to adhere to regulations addressing used lead-acid battery management found in California Code of Regulations, Title 22, Sections 66266.80 and 66266.81. Therefore, the project would not create a significant hazard to the public or the environment through the routine transport, use, or disposal of hazardous materials, and impacts would be less than significant. b. Less than Significant Impact. As described in Section 15.8.a above, construction and operation of the project would involve the use of asphalt, paints, chemicals to break down the larger boulders, and other solvents. The project would be designed and constructed consistent with applicable safety regulations that would prevent the introduction of accident conditions. Therefore, the project would not create a significant hazard to the public or the environment through reasonably foreseeable upset and accident conditions involving the release of hazardous materials into the environment, and impacts would be less than significant.
c. No Impact. The project site is not located within one-quarter mile of any schools. The nearest school is Faith Trolley Preschool, located approximately 0.5 mile west of the project site. The project would not result in hazardous emissions or include the handling of acutely hazardous materials, substances, or waste. No impact would occur.
d. Less than Significant Impact. The State Water Resources Control Board GeoTracker database identified two active cleanup sites adjacent to the project located at 10460 Mission Gorge Road and 8888 Magnolia Avenue. The Department of Toxic Substances Control Envirostor Database identified Initial Study/Environmental Checklist Form
Santee Auto Center Project
one active cleanup site adjacent to the project located at 10438 Mission Gorge Road. No cleanup sites were identified within the project boundaries and no permanent structures are located on the project site. Therefore, the project is not located on a site which is included on a list of hazardous materials sites compiled pursuant to Government Code Section 65962.5, and impacts would be less than significant.
e. Less than Significant Impact.
The project site is within Airport Influence Area 1 of the Gillespie Field Airport, which is approximately
0.5 mile from the project site. On January 18, 2023, the project received a Determination of No Hazard to Air Navigation from the Federal Aviation Administration based on the placement and maximum height (33 feet) of the proposed buildings. Portions of the project site area are also within Safety Zones 2, 3, and 4 of the Gillespie Field ALUCP. Each Airport Safety Zone serves as a guideline for the maximum density of people that should be located within the Safety Zone based on the level of risk of an aircraft accident within the respective Safety Zone. Safety Zone 2, the Inner Approach/Departure Zone, has a higher risk and as such it is recommended that developments within this Safety Zone limit density to 70 persons per acre without risk reduction measures (per ALUCP page 3-48 Table III-2). Risk reduction measures include hardening the buildings and/or incorporating increased fire protection systems. The project does not propose risk reduction measures. Safety Zones 3 and 4, respectively the Inner Turning Zone and Outer Approach/Departure Zone, are at a lower risk for aircraft accidents and as such their recommended maximum density limit is 130 persons per acre without risk reduction measures (per ALUCP page 3-48 Table III-2).
Under the ALUCP (page 3-48, Table III-2), the proposed use would be classified as “Low-Intensity or Outdoor-Oriented Retail or Wholesale Trade: furniture, automobiles, heavy equipment, nurseries, lumber yards, boat yards [approximately 250 square feet per person].” Such a classification assumes the use would generate an estimated one person for every 250 square feet of proposed building floor area. A 6.9-acre portion of the site is within Safety Zone 2. Within this portion of the site, a total building floor area of 69,635 square feet is proposed. Based on the ALUCP, this building square footage would yield an estimated 279 persons on this portion of the site (one person per acre recommended maximum), resulting in a density of 40 persons per acre, which is compatible with Airport Safety Zone 2 (70 persons per acre). A 2.72-acre portion of the site is within Safety Zone 3, and within this portion of the site, a total building floor area 21,805 square feet is proposed. This building square footage would yield an estimated 87 persons on this portion of the site (one person per 250 square feet), resulting in a density of 32 persons per acre, which is compatible with Safety Zone 3 (130 persons/acre recommended maximum). The remainder of the site would be within Safety Zone 4, and no buildings are proposed within this portion of the site. As a whole, the project would be compatible with the ALUCP. As an entitlement condition of approval, the project is also required to obtain an ALUCP consistency determination from the San Diego County Airport Land Use Commission. Therefore, impacts related to an ALUCP would be less than significant. f. Less than Significant Impact. The project site is located in an existing developed area with access to major roadways that would allow for emergency evacuation. The project would comply with all design recommendations and requirements for construction and operations as provided by the Santee Fire Department to ensure that emergency access meets City standards. In addition, the project would be consistent with the existing General Commercial (GC) district. Therefore, the project Initial Study/Environmental Checklist Form
Santee Auto Center Project
would not impair implementation of, or physically interfere with emergency response, and impacts would be less than significant.
g. Less than Significant Impact. Wildland fires present a significant threat in the city, particularly in the summer months when temperatures are high and precipitation is limited. Areas in the city that are particularly susceptible to fires are designated as “very high hazard” or “high hazard” areas and are delineated on the Very High Fire Hazard Severity Zones for Local Responsibility Areas as recommended by the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection. The project site is not located within land mapped as a fire hazard severity zone. Similarly, the project site is not located within a Wildland Urban Interface area. Additionally, the project would install fire prevention features consistent with comments provided by the Santee Fire Department, including an automatic fire sprinkler system. Therefore, the project would not expose people or structures to a significant risk of loss, injury or death involving wildland fires, and impacts would be less than significant.
15.10 Hydrology and Water Quality
Would the project:
Issue
Potentially
Significant
Impact
Less Than
Significant with
Mitigation
Less Than
Significant
Impact No Impact
a. Violate any water quality standards
or waste discharge requirements or
otherwise substantially degrade
surface or ground water quality?
b. Substantially decrease groundwater
supplies or interfere substantially
with groundwater recharge such
that the project may impede
sustainable groundwater
management of the basin?
c. Substantially alter the existing
drainage pattern of the site or area,
including through the alteration of
the course of a stream or river, or
through the addition of impervious
surfaces in a manner, which would:
i. result in substantial erosion or
siltation on- or off-site;
ii. substantially increase the rate
or amount of surface runoff in
a manner which would result
in flooding on- or off-site;
Initial Study/Environmental Checklist Form
Santee Auto Center Project
Issue
Potentially
Significant
Impact
Less Than
Significant with
Mitigation
Less Than
Significant
Impact No Impact
iii. create or contribute runoff
water which would exceed the
capacity of existing or planned
stormwater drainage systems
or provide substantial
additional sources of polluted
runoff; or
iv. impede or redirect flood
flows?
d. In flood hazard, tsunami, or seiche
zones, risk release of pollutants due
to project inundation?
e. Conflict with or obstruct
implementation of a water quality
control plan or sustainable
groundwater management plan?
Sources: Drainage Study prepared by Rick Engineering, 2023 (Appendix H); Storm Water Quality Management Plan, 2023 (Appendix I); Padre Dam Municipal Water District 2020 Urban Water Management Plan; City of Santee General Plan Safety Element. a. Less than Significant Impact.
Pre-Project Condition
The pre-project condition drains generally northwest to a single point of compliance. The point of compliance consists of a curb inlet located along the eastern edge of Cottonwood Avenue, just south of the intersection of Cottonwood Avenue and Mission Gorge Road. Runoff from the southern portion of the project site flows from the eastern boundary westward along Happy Lane before it rounds the corner at Cottonwood Avenue and flows north along the street where it is collected by the curb inlet. Runoff from the northern portion of the project site flows north to Mission Gorge Road, then concentrates and flows west along the street until it rounds the corner and travels south at Cottonwood Avenue where it is collected by the curb inlet. After entering the curb inlet, runoff from the project site drains to the San Diego River, which flows approximately west and ultimately to the Pacific Ocean.
Post-Project Condition
Drainage patterns in the post-project condition would be similar to the pre-project condition. In the post-project condition, the project area is divided into three lots, each of which would drain to a separate underground storage vault and proprietary compact biofiltration system. It is anticipated that peak flows during a 100-year, six-hour storm event on the post-project site would be the same as peak flows in the pre-project condition. After exiting the vaults and compact biofiltration system, stormwater would be conveyed via a private storm drain to a connection with the public storm drain Initial Study/Environmental Checklist Form
Santee Auto Center Project
system located at the curb inlet at the southeast corner of the intersection of Cottonwood Avenue and Mission Gorge Road. After connecting to the public storm drain system, flows from the site would be conveyed to the San Diego River.
Post-project storm water runoff would be managed via underground storage vaults and proprietary compact biofiltration BMPs, designed pursuant to the guidelines from the City’s BMP Design Manual, dated February 2016. The “Priority Development Project Storm Water Quality Management Plan” specific to the project is dated December 16th, 2023, and prepared by Rick Engineering Company (see Appendix I). Implementation of the underground storage vaults and proprietary compact biofiltration BMPs would result in the same peak flows from the pre-project condition. Therefore, the project would not violate any water quality standards or waste discharge requirements, and impacts would be less than significant.
b. Less than Significant Impact. The project would obtain its water supply from the PDMWD and would not use groundwater supply for any purpose. Additionally, the proposed land uses would not be associated with activities known to degrade groundwater. The project would increase the amount of impermeable surfaces on-site from 3.23 acres to 14.2 acres. However, water would continue to infiltrate through the 3.5 acres of the postconstruction development footprint that would remain pervious. Furthermore, water would continue to infiltrate through undeveloped land throughout the groundwater basin. Therefore, the project would not substantially decrease groundwater supplies or interfere with groundwater recharge, and impacts would be less than significant. c(i). Less than Significant Impact. Prior to construction, the project applicant shall prepare a site-specific SWPPP consistent with the SWRCB Construction General Permit as a condition of approval. The SWPPP shall describe BMPs to be used during construction to prevent discharge of sediment and other pollutants in storm water runoff from the project site. Typical construction BMPs include silt fencing, fiber rolls, and sweeping. Specific BMPs would be determined by the project contractor and engineer based on site-specific conditions. As part of the project, the contractor would monitor the construction BMPs, including conducting routine inspections of disturbed areas to ensure that the BMPs remain intact and effective. Adherence to these BMPs would ensure that project construction would not result in substantial soil erosion, and impacts would be less than significant.
c(ii). Less than Significant Impact. As described in Section 15.10.a, post-project storm water runoff would be managed via underground storage vaults and proprietary compact biofiltration BMPs that would reduce peak flows during a 100-year, six-hour storm event to less than or equal to pre-project flows. Review of Figure 8-1 of the General Plan Safety Element determined that the project site is not located within the 100-year floodplain. Therefore, the project would not substantially increase the rate or amount of surface runoff in a manner which would result in flooding on- or off-site, and impacts would be less than significant.
c(iii). Less than Significant Impact. As described in Section 15.10.a, post-project storm water runoff would be managed via underground storage vaults and proprietary compact biofiltration BMPs that would reduce peak flows during a 100-year, six-hour storm event to less than or equal to pre-project flows. Therefore, project runoff would not exceed the capacity of storm water drainage systems and would not provide substantial sources of polluted runoff, and impacts would be less than significant.
Initial Study/Environmental Checklist Form
Santee Auto Center Project
c(iv). Less than Significant Impact. Review of Figure 8-1 of the General Plan Safety Element determined that the project site is not located within the 100-year floodplain. As described in Section
15.10.a, post-project storm water runoff would be managed via underground storage vaults and proprietary compact biofiltration BMPs that would reduce peak flows during a 100-year, six-hour storm event to less than or equal to pre-project flows. Therefore, the project would not impede or redirect flood flows, and impacts would be less than significant. d. Less than Significant Impact. The project site, along with the rest of the city, is located in the San Diego River valley. Review of Figure 8-1 of the General Plan Safety Element determined that the project site is not located within the 100-year floodplain. The project site is relatively flat and would not be subject to inundation by mudflow. Review of Figure 8-2 of the General Plan Safety Element determined that the project site is located within the El Capitan Reservoir and San Vicente Reservoir Inundation Areas. However, the project does not possess any features that would exacerbate risk associated with flood inundation beyond what exists for surrounding land uses in the existing condition. The nearest enclosed body of water is Santee Lakes, located approximately 2.2 miles northwest of the project site, is not located in an area where seismically induced seiches are considered a potential hazard. Additionally, the project site is located approximately 20 miles inland from the Pacific Ocean, and therefore is not subject to risk associated with tsunami. Therefore, project impacts regarding risk of release of pollutants due to project inundation associated with flood hazards, tsunami, or seiche zones would be less than significant. e. Less than Significant Impact. The project would not require the use of, or otherwise substantially interfere with, groundwater supplies or recharge compared to existing conditions. The project would not involve any use of groundwater and would obtain its water supply from the PDMWD, which obtains its water from surface reservoirs and imported sources. Padre Dam's Urban Water Management Plan addresses the PDMWD water system. Potable demands under normal conditions are anticipated to increase to 15,944 acre-feet per year by the year 2045. The project uses are permitted within the existing general plan and zoning designations for the property, and therefore were accounted for in Padre Dam's Urban Water Management Plan. Due to the increase in on-site impervious surfaces, the area available for groundwater recharge would decrease. Water would continue to infiltrate through 3.5 acres of the postconstruction development footprint that would remain pervious. In addition, the project would comply with applicable groundwater regulations and BMPs. As a result, the project would not conflict with a water quality control plan or sustainable groundwater management plan and impacts would be less than significant.
Initial Study/Environmental Checklist Form
Santee Auto Center Project
15.11 Land Use and Planning
Would the project:
Issue
Potentially
Significant
Impact
Less Than
Significant with
Mitigation
Less Than
Significant
Impact No Impact
a. Physically divide an established
community?
b. Cause a significant environmental
impact due to a conflict with any
land use plan, policy, or regulation
adopted for the purpose of
avoiding or mitigating an
environmental effect?
Sources: Project Description; City of Santee General Plan–Land Use Element. a. No Impact. The project proposes the construction of two auto dealerships with sales and service buildings, a detail bay, a self-service car wash, and a body shop. Land uses surrounding the project site include commercial uses to the north, multi-family residential uses to the east, single-family residences to the south, and multi-family residential uses to the west. The project would be constructed entirely within the boundaries of the project site and would not affect any of the surrounding properties or land use pattern. The project would also be consistent with the existing General Commercial (GC) zone that exists on the property and would not create any significant impacts relative to the surrounding residentially zoned lands. Implementation of the project would not create any new land use barriers or otherwise divide or disrupt the physical arrangement of the surrounding established community. Therefore, the project would not physically divide an established community. No impact would occur.
b. Less than Significant Impact with Mitigation. The project site is zoned General Commercial (GC) and is designated General Commercial (GC) within the City’s General Plan. The project proposes the construction of two auto dealerships with sales and service building, a detail bay, a self-service car wash, and a body shop. The proposed uses are permitted within the existing general plan and zoning designations for the property. Further, the project is consistent with the General Plan policies found in Table 5.
Initial Study/Environmental Checklist Form
Santee Auto Center Project
Table 5
Project Consistency with General Plan
Policies Project Consistency
Policy 1.2 The City shall utilize noise studies
and noise contour maps when evaluating
development proposals during the
discretionary review process.
A Noise Analysis was prepared by RECON
Environmental, Inc. for the project (Appendix J).
The Noise Analysis includes noise contour maps.
Policy 1.6 The City shall continue to monitor
noise throughout Santee and enforce the
standards and regulations of the City's
Noise Ordinance.
As stated in Section 15.13 of this MND, project
construction and operational noise would be in
compliance with the Santee Municipal Code.
Mitigation measures NOISE-1 and NOISE-2 would
enforce project compliance with the standards and
regulations of the City's Noise Ordinance.
Policy 4.1 The City should ensure that all
residential areas are adequately provided
for in terms of day-to-day shopping needs
which include convenience goods, food and
personal services.
The project would construct two auto dealerships
with sales and service buildings, a detail bay, a selfservice car wash, and a body shop. The project would provide convenient day-to-day services for
the local residential areas.
Policy 6.2 The City should promote the use
of innovative site planning to avoid on-site
hazards and minimize risk levels.
The City has worked with the project applicant to
design a project that avoids on-site hazards.
Policy 7.1 The City should review all
development proposed within the Gillespie
Field Airport Influence Area to ensure that
design features are incorporated into the
site plan to address identified aircraft safety
and noise hazards.
As stated in Section 15.9 and 15.13 of this MND, the
project has been reviewed for aircraft safety and
noise hazards. As a whole, the project would be
compatible with the ALUCP. As an entitlement
condition of approval, the project is also required
to obtain an ALUCP consistency determination
from the San Diego County Airport Land Use
Commission. The noise analysis concluded that
with mitigation, noise impacts from construction
and operation of the project would be less than
significant.
Policy 7.2 The City shall require that all
development proposals provide
appropriate mitigation for identified
significant biological resources including
selective preservation, sensitive site
planning techniques and in-kind mitigation
for identified impacts.
As stated in Section 15.4 of this MND, if vegetation
clearing activities are proposed during or continue
into the general bird breeding season (February
15–August 30), mitigation measure BIO-1 would
require a pre-construction clearance survey for
nesting birds and raptors.
Initial Study/Environmental Checklist Form
Santee Auto Center Project
A portion of the project site is located within the Transit Priority Area. SB 743 (Steinberg 2013) provides for streamlined environmental review for projects within Transit Priority Areas, which is an area within a half mile of a “major transit stop.” A major transit stop, as defined in Public Resources Code 21064.3, is a site that contains any of the following:
• An existing rail or bus rapid transit station.
• A ferry terminal served by either a bus or rail transit service. • The intersection of two or more major bus routes with a frequency of service interval of 15 minutes or less during the morning and afternoon peak commute periods.
Bus routes serving the immediate project area include MTS Routes 832, 833, and 834. The bus stop closest to the project site is less than 300 feet on Mission Gorge Road along the project frontage.
As described in Section 15.8.a above, the project would be consistent with the Sustainable Santee Plan (see Appendix G). As described in Section 15.9.e above, the project would be compatible with the ALUCP. As an entitlement condition of approval, the project is also required to obtain an ALUCP consistency determination from the San Diego County Airport Land Use Commission. Therefore, the project would not result in a significant environmental impact due to a conflict with any land use plan, policy, or regulation and impacts would be less than significant.
15.12 Mineral Resources
Would the project:
Issue
Potentially
Significant
Impact
Less Than
Significant with
Mitigation
Less Than
Significant
Impact No Impact
a. Result in the loss of availability of a
known mineral resource that would
be of value to the region and the
residents of the state?
b. Result in the loss of availability of a
locally important mineral resource
recovery site delineated on a local
general plan, specific plan or other
land use plan?
Source: City of Santee General Plan–Conservation Element. a. No Impact. The Conservation Element of the General Plan documents that known mineral resources within Santee include sand, gravel, and crushed rock, which are collectively referred to as aggregate. These resources have been identified within the floodplain of the San Diego River. As identified in the California Department of Conservation Mineral Lands Classification Map (1996), the project site is classified as MRZ-3, which is defined as areas that contain known mineral deposits that could qualify as mineral resources. The project site is surrounded by commercial, residential, and roadway uses that would preclude the type of extraction operations typically associated with aggregate minerals (i.e., large-scale pits or quarries). Therefore, extraction of mineral resources is not a viable use of the site. No impact would occur.
Initial Study/Environmental Checklist Form
Santee Auto Center Project
b. No Impact. See response to 15.12.a. The project site is not delineated as a mineral resource recovery area on any land use plans. No impact would occur.
15.13 Noise
Would the project:
Issue
Potentially
Significant
Impact
Less Than
Significant with
Mitigation
Less Than
Significant
Impact No Impact
a. Generation of a substantial
temporary or permanent increase
in ambient noise levels in the
vicinity of the project in excess of
standards established in the local
general plan or noise ordinance, or
applicable standards of other
agencies?
b. Generation of excessive ground
borne vibration or ground borne
noise levels?
c. For a project located within the
vicinity of a private airstrip or an
airport land use plan, or, where
such a plan has not been adopted,
within two miles of a public airport
or public use airport, would the
project expose people residing or
working in the area to excessive
noise levels?
Sources: City of Santee General Plan–Noise Element; Santee Municipal Code; Technical Noise Supplement (Caltrans 2013a); Transportation and Construction Vibration Guidance Manual (Caltrans 2013b); Roadway Construction Noise Model (Federal Highway Administration 2006); Transit Noise and Vibration Impact Assessment Manual (Federal Transit Administration 2018); Gillespie Field Airport Land Use Compatibility Plan (ALUC 2010); and Noise Analysis prepared by RECON Environmental, Inc. (see Appendix J).
a. Less than Significant with Mitigation. Noise is defined as sound that is loud, unpleasant, unexpected, or undesired and, therefore, may cause general annoyance, interference with speech communication, sleep disturbance, and, in the extreme, hearing impairment. Decibels (dB) are the standard unit of measurement of the sound pressure generated by noise sources and are measured on a logarithmic scale that quantifies sound intensity in a manner similar to the Richter scale for earthquake magnitudes. A doubling of the energy of a noise source, such as doubling of traffic volume, would increase the noise level by 3 dB; a halving of the noise energy would result in a 3 dB decrease.
Initial Study/Environmental Checklist Form
Santee Auto Center Project
The human ear is not equally sensitive to all frequencies within the sound spectrum. To accommodate this phenomenon, the A-weighted scale, which approximates the frequency response of the average young ear when listening to most ordinary everyday sounds, was devised. Noise levels using A-weighted measurements are written as dB(A). It is widely accepted that the average healthy ear can barely perceive changes of 3 dB(A) (increase or decrease) and that a change of 5 dB(A) is readily perceptible. An increase of 10 dB(A) is perceived as twice as loud, and a decrease of 10 dB(A) is perceived as half as loud (Caltrans 2013a).
The impact of noise is not a function of loudness alone. The time of day when noise occurs and the duration of the noise are also important. In addition, most noise that lasts for more than a few seconds is variable in its intensity. Consequently, a variety of noise descriptors has been developed.
The noise descriptors used for this study are the equivalent noise level (Leq) and the maximum noise level (Lmax).
The Leq is the equivalent steady-state noise level in a stated period of time that is calculated by averaging the acoustic energy over a time period; when no period is specified, a 1-hour period is assumed. The maximum noise level is the highest sound level occurring during a specific period.
Existing Noise Measurements
Existing noise levels at the project site were measured on July 21, 2022, using one Larson-Davis LxT Sound Expert Sound Level Meters, serial number 3897. The following parameters were used:
Filter: A-weighted
Response: Slow
Time History Period: 5 seconds
The meter was calibrated before and after the measurements. The meter was set 5 feet above the ground level for each measurement, which is the average height of the human ear.
Noise measurements were taken to obtain typical ambient noise levels at the project site and in the vicinity. The weather was warm and sunny with a slight breeze. Four 15-minute measurements were taken, as described below. The measurement locations are shown on Figure 5, and detailed data is contained in Appendix J.
Measurement 1 was located at the northern project boundary, approximately 50 feet south of Mission Gorge Road. The main source of noise at this location was vehicle traffic on Mission Gorge Road.
Secondary sources of noise included aircraft flyovers from Gillespie Field. During the 15-minute measurement period, vehicle traffic on Mission Gorge Road was counted. The average measured noise level was 60.3 dB(A) Leq.
FIGURE 5
Noise Measurement Locations
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Image Source: NearMap (flown April 2022)
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M:\JOBS5\9999\common_gis\fig5_mnd.mxd 12/06/2022 bma
Initial Study/Environmental Checklist Form
Santee Auto Center Project
Measurement 2 was located at the western project boundary, approximately 50 feet east of Cottonwood Avenue. The main source of noise at this location was vehicle traffic on Mission Gorge Road and Cottonwood Avenue. During the 15-minute measurement period, vehicle traffic on Cottonwood Avenue was counted. The average measured noise level was 58.8 dB(A) Leq.
Measurement 3 was located at the southern portion of the project site, approximately 10 feet from the southern project boundary. The main source of noise at this location was vehicle traffic on Mission Gorge Road. Secondary sources of noise included barking dogs. The average measured noise level was 48.1 dB(A) Leq.
Measurement 4 was located at the eastern portion of the project site, approximately 10 feet from the eastern project boundary. The main source of noise at this location was vehicle traffic on Mission Gorge Road. Secondary sources of noise included aircraft flyovers and barking dogs. The average measured noise level was 56.6 dB(A) Leq.
Construction Noise
Noise level limits for construction activities are established in Section 5.04.090 of the Santee Municipal Code. These limits state that notice must be provided to all owners and occupants within 300 feet of the project site if the construction equipment has a manufacturer’s noise rating of 85 dB and operates at a specific location for 10 consecutive workdays.
In addition, Section 5.04.090 of the Santee Municipal Code states that no construction equipment is permitted before 7:00 a.m. or after 7:00 p.m. on Mondays through Saturdays and at all times on Sundays and holidays.
Project construction noise would be generated by diesel engine-driven construction equipment used for site preparation and grading, rock processing, building construction, loading, unloading, and placing materials and paving. Diesel engine-driven trucks also would bring materials to the site and remove the soil from excavation.
There are large boulders and bedrock located in the southeast portion of the project site. At the beginning of project construction, prior to site grading, rock breaking and crushing activities would also be required. It is anticipated that these activities would last approximately two months. First, the larger boulders would be drilled with a rock drill and chemicals would be used to break them down to manageable sizes. A rock drill would generate an average hourly noise level of 78 dB(A) Leq at 50 feet. Then, an excavator with a mounted 10,000-pound hydraulic hammer/breaker would break those rock pieces down to two-foot diameter or less fragments. An excavator with a mounted impact hammer would generate a combined noise level of 85 dB(A) Leq at 50 feet. These smaller rocks would then be hauled off-site or crushed on-site. As a worst-case noise analysis, a rock crusher was modeled on the project site. Based on noise measurements taken at a temporary rock crushing operation, the rock crusher would generate a noise level of 88 dB(A) Leq at 50 feet. This noise level would attenuate to 75 dB(A) Leq at a distance of 165 feet. Therefore, as a noise reduction feature, the rock crusher was modeled at a distance of more than 165 from all adjacent residential property lines (refer to mitigation measure NOISE-1). A loader may also be required to transfer rock to the crusher.
A loader generates a noise level of 76 dB(A) Leq at 50 feet.
Initial Study/Environmental Checklist Form
Santee Auto Center Project
During the remaining excavation, grading, and paving operations, equipment moves to different locations and goes through varying load cycles (i.e., amount of time that equipment operates at full power), and there are breaks for the operators and for non-equipment tasks, such as measurement.
Although maximum noise levels may be 70 to 95 dB(A) at a distance of 50 feet during most construction activities, hourly average noise levels from the grading phase of construction would be 85 dB(A) Leq at 50 feet from the center of construction activity when assessing the loudest pieces of equipment–dozer, excavator, and loader–working simultaneously.
Table 6 summarizes the modeled construction equipment for the rock drilling, rock breaking, rock crushing, and grading phases of construction. Once grading is complete, all other on-site construction activities, such as building construction and paving, would be quieter than these modeled phases.
Table 6
Modeled Construction Equipment
Phase Equipment
Average Noise Level at 50 Feet
[dB(A) Leq]
Sound Power Level
[dB(A) LPW]
Rock Drilling Rock Drill 78 109.7
Rock Breaking
Excavator 81 112.7
Mounted Impact Hammer 83 114.7
Combined Noise Level 85 116.8
Rock Crushing
Rock Crusher
Jaw Crusher
Cone Crusher
Screens
Conveyor
88 81
81 86
73 119.9
112.7
113.1
117.4
104.4
Loader 76 107.7
Combined Noise Level 88 120.1
Grading
Dozer 81 112.7
Excavator 81 112.7
Loader 76 107.7
Combined Noise Level 85 116.3
Residential uses are located south, east, and west of the project site and commercial uses are located north of the project site. The Noise Element defines noise sensitive areas as rear yard areas on single-family residences and ground floor common areas and private patio areas for multi-family residences. Noise levels were modeled at a series of 25 receivers located at the adjacent uses. The results are summarized in Table 7. Modeled receiver locations and construction noise contours are shown in Figures 6a through 6d.
FIGURE 6a
Construction Noise Contours -
Rock Drilling
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Image Source: NearMap (flown April 2022)
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M:\JOBS5\9999\common_gis\fig6a_mnd.mxd 12/06/2022 bma
FIGURE 6b
Construction Noise Contours -
Rock Breaking
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Image Source: NearMap (flown April 2022)
Project Boundary 0 Feet 250 [
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M:\JOBS5\9999\common_gis\fig6b_mnd.mxd 12/06/2022 bma
FIGURE 6c
Construction Noise Contours -
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Image Source: NearMap (flown April 2022)
Project Boundary 0 Feet 250 [
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M:\JOBS5\9999\common_gis\fig6c_mnd.mxd 12/06/2022 bma
FIGURE 6d
Construction Noise Contours -
Grading
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Image Source: NearMap (flown April 2022)
Project Boundary 0 Feet 250 [
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M:\JOBS5\9999\common_gis\fig6d_mnd.mxd 12/06/2022 bma
Initial Study/Environmental Checklist Form
Santee Auto Center Project
Table 7
Construction Noise Levels at Off-site Receivers
Receiver Land Use
Construction Noise Level [dB(A) Leq]
Rock Drilling
Rock
Breaking
Rock
Crushing Grading
1 Residential 62 45 52 61
2 Residential 63 45 52 61
3 Residential 63 45 52 60
4 Residential 66 47 54 62
5 Residential 67 48 55 64
6 Residential 67 50 57 65
7 Residential 67 51 58 67
8 Residential 67 54 61 67
9 Residential 62 60 68 63
10 Residential 62 63 70 61
11 Residential 65 67 74 64
12 Residential 65 67 74 65
13 Residential 64 66 73 64
14 Residential 64 64 72 64
15 Residential 67 60 67 65
16 Residential 63 58 65 63
17 Commercial 60 55 62 61
18 Commercial 61 54 61 63
19 Commercial 62 54 61 67
20 Commercial 63 53 60 69
21 Commercial 63 51 58 72
22 Commercial 63 50 57 71
23 Commercial 63 48 55 68
24 Commercial 62 47 54 65
25 Commercial 62 47 54 64
As shown in Table 7, construction noise levels are not anticipated to exceed 75 dB(A) Leq at the property lines of the adjacent residential uses and would therefore would not exceed 75 dB(A) Leq at the noise sensitive areas. In accordance with Santee Municipal Code Section 5.04.090, construction activities would not occur before 7:00 a.m. or after 7:00 p.m. on Mondays through Saturdays and would not occur at any time on Sundays and holidays. Although the adjacent residences would be exposed to construction noise levels that could be heard above ambient conditions, the exposure would be temporary. Additionally, as required by the Municipal Code, a notice would be provided to all owners and occupants within 300 feet of the project site if the construction equipment has a manufacturer’s noise rating of 85 dB and operates at a specific location for 10 consecutive workdays.
The noise levels summarized in Table 7 are based on the assumption that the stationary rock crusher would be located 165 feet distance away from the adjacent residential property lines. If rock crushing were to occur closer to the property lines, a significant noise impact would occur. Therefore, the following mitigation measure would be required.
Initial Study/Environmental Checklist Form
Santee Auto Center Project
NOISE-1: Construction Noise
Prior to issuance of any grading permit(s) for the project, the project applicant or its contractor(s) shall ensure that:
• On-site rocks and boulders shall be relocated off-site to the maximum extent feasible. • All on-site rock crushing shall occur at a distance of 165 feet or more from the southern, eastern, and western property lines.
• All construction equipment, fixed or mobile, shall be equipped with properly operating and maintained mufflers.
• Construction noise reduction methods such as shutting off idling equipment, maximizing the distance between construction equipment staging areas and occupied residential areas, and use of electric air compressors and similar power tools, rather than diesel equipment, shall be used where feasible.
• During construction, stationary construction equipment shall be placed such that emitted noise is directed away from or shielded from sensitive noise receivers. • During construction, stockpiling and vehicle staging areas shall be located as far as practical from noise sensitive receptors.
• The project shall be in compliance with the City’s Noise Abatement and Control Ordinance such that construction shall occur on the weekdays (Monday through Friday) and Saturday between the hours of 7:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. and a notice of construction shall be mailed to all owners and occupants within 300 feet of the project site no more than 10 days before the start of construction. Construction hours, allowable workdays and the phone number of the job superintendent shall be clearly posted at all construction entrances to allow surrounding property owners and residents to contact the job superintendent. In the event that the City receives a complaint regarding construction noise, appropriate corrective actions shall be implemented and a report of the action provided to the reporting party.
With implementation of mitigation measure NOISE-1, impacts associated with temporary increases in noise during construction would be less than significant.
Operational Noise
In accordance with the Noise Element of the General Plan, the noise level threshold is 65 dB(A) Leq at the property line. On-site generated noise is also regulated by the Santee Municipal Code, Title 5 Health and Safety, Chapter 5.04 Noise Abatement and Control. The sections applicable to the project are as follows:
Section 5.04.040 General Noise Regulations
A. General Prohibitions. It is unlawful for any person to make, continue, or cause to be made or continued, within the limits of the City, any disturbing, excessive or offensive noise which Initial Study/Environmental Checklist Form
Santee Auto Center Project
causes discomfort or annoyance to reasonable persons of normal sensitivity residing in the area. The characteristics and conditions which should be considered in determining whether a violation of the provisions of this section exists, include, but are not limited to, the following:
1. The level of the noise;
2. Whether the nature of the noise is usual or unusual;
3. Whether the origin of the noise is natural or unnatural;
4. The level of the background noise;
5. The proximity of the noise to sleeping facilities;
6. The nature and zoning of the area within which the noise emanates;
7. The density of the inhabitation of the area within which the noise emanates;
8. The time of day or night the noise occurs;
9. The duration of the noise;
10. Whether the noise is recurrent, intermittent, or constant; and
11. Whether the noise is produced by a commercial or noncommercial activity.
B. Disturbing, Excessive or Offensive Noises. The following acts, among others, are declared to be disturbing, excessive and offensive noises in violation of this section:
1. Horns, Signaling Devices or Similar Devices. Violations for disturbing, excessive or offensive noises associated with the use or operation of horns, signaling device or similar devices, on automobiles, motorcycles, or any other vehicle, except as provided elsewhere in this code, will be prosecuted under applicable provisions of the California Vehicle Code.
2. Radio, Television, Music, Sound Amplifiers, and Similar Devices. a. Uses Restricted. No person is permitted to play, use, operate, or allow to be played, used or operated, any radio, musical instrument, television, loudspeaker, bullhorn, amplifier, public address system, musical instrument, or other machine or device that produces sound in such manner that disturbs the peace, quiet and comfort of persons of normal sensitivity in the area.
b. Prima Facie Violations. The operation of any device in subsection (B)(2)(a) between the hours of 10:00 p.m. and 7:00 a.m., in such a manner as to be louder than the average conversational level at a distance of 50 feet from the building, structure or vehicle in which it is located, measured vertically or horizontally, is prima facie evidence of a violation of this section.
c. The limitations imposed in this section do not apply between the hours of 7:00 a.m. and 10:00 p.m. to a person participating in: (i) a public assembly; or (ii) a parade, athletic event, or outdoor special event; provided that a permit has been issued for the parade, athletic event or outdoor special event, if required, and the person is in compliance with the permit.
Initial Study/Environmental Checklist Form
Santee Auto Center Project
d. The limitations imposed in this section do not apply to emergency signal devices as described in Section 5.04.100 of this code.
3. Disturbing or raucous yelling, shouting, hooting, whistling or singing on the public streets, between the hours of 10:00 p.m. and 7:00 a.m. or at any time or place so as to annoy or disturb the quiet, comfort or repose of neighboring residents or persons of normal sensitivity within the area for whatever reason, is prohibited. This provision may not be construed to prohibit the selling by outcry of merchandise, food and beverages at sporting events, parades, fairs, celebrations, festivals, circuses, carnivals and other similar special events for public entertainment.
4. Heating and Air Conditioning Equipment and Generators. a. It is unlawful for any person to operate or allow the operation of any generator, air conditioning, refrigeration or heating equipment in such manner as to create a noise disturbance on the premises of any other occupied property, or if a condominium, apartment house, duplex, or attached business, within any adjoining unit. b. All generators, heating, air conditioning, or refrigeration equipment are subject to the setback and screening requirements in this code.
Section 5.04.070 Motorized Equipment
It is unlawful to operate any lawn mower, backpack blower, lawn edger, leaf blower, riding tractor, or any other machinery, equipment, or other device, or any hand tool which creates a loud, raucous or impulsive sound, within or adjacent to any residential zone between the hours of 10:00 p.m. and 7:00 a.m. of the following day.
Section 5.04.130 Loading and Unloading Operations
A. It is unlawful for any person to engage in loading, unloading, opening, idling of trucks, closing or other handling of boxes, crates, containers, building materials, garbage cans, dumpsters or similar objects between the hours of 10:00 p.m. and 7:00 a.m. in such a manner as to cause a noise disturbance within or adjacent to a residential district.
Section 5.04.160 Limitations on sources of noise not otherwise addressed:
A. Between 10:00 p.m. and 7:00 a.m., it is unlawful for any person to generate any noise on the public way that is louder than average conversational level at a distance of 50 feet or more, vertically or horizontally, from the source.
B. Between 10:00 p.m. and 7:00 a.m., no person is permitted to generate any noise on any private open space that is louder than average conversational level at a distance of 50 feet or more, measured from the property line of the property from which the noise is being generated.
Initial Study/Environmental Checklist Form
Santee Auto Center Project
The post-project noise sources would include rooftop mechanical ventilation equipment on the auto dealership and body shop buildings, car wash blowers, car wash vacuums, and the auto service departments and body shop. Noise levels associated with these on-site noise sources were modeled using the SoundPLAN program. Modeled noise levels take into account the six-foot masonry screening walls that would be constructed along the western, southern, and eastern property lines.
The masonry wall would be stepped up to eight feet along the eastern project boundary 50 feet south of Mission Gorge Road and 50 feet north of Railroad Avenue.
The rooftop mechanical ventilation systems would include rooftop units (RTUs) and condensing units (CUs). RTU and CU locations were obtained from the project roof plans. The 5-ton RTUs would be similar to Trane packaged rooftop air conditioners Model YSC, the 6- through 15-ton RTUs would be similar to Trane packaged rooftop air conditioners Model YSJ, and the CUs would be similar to Trane Mitsubishi heat pump Model TRUZ. The sound power levels for this equipment is provided in Appendix J. All units were modeled at 100 percent capacity during the daytime hours and the nighttime hours.
The car wash tunnel would include a blower system located within the tunnel approximately 15 feet from the exit. The dryers would be similar to Proto-Vest Dryer systems. Each of the dryers would be equipped with the manufacturer’s silencer packages. Noise specifications for the dryers were obtained from the manufacturer and are included in Appendix I. Based on the traffic impact analysis prepared for the project, the car wash would generate up to 39 peak hour trips. A 1-minute drying cycle time was modeled for each wash, for a total blower operating time of 39 minutes per hour. The car wash exit would also include a door that would be closed during a majority of the washing and drying process and would open to allow vehicles to exit. This door would reduce property line noise levels due to operation of the car wash. However, as a conservative analysis, noise reduction due to this door was not included in the model.
The car wash would also include a vacuum system consisting of two central enclosed vacuum motors and 22 vacuum hoses. Vacuums hoses were modeled at each of the proposed vacuum parking spaces located on the west side of the car wash tunnel. A sound power level of 77.3 dB(A) Lpw was modeled at each vacuum location (AcoustiControl 2017a). The car wash would operate during the daytime hours only from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m.
The automobile dealerships on Parcels A and B would include service departments and an auto body shop is proposed on Parcel C. Noise-generating equipment at the service stations and auto body shop would include tools such as air compressors, pneumatic tools, and tire machines. All auto body repair services and activities would occur within the proposed buildings with doors closed. However, as a conservative analysis, noise levels were modeled with the doors open. The enclosed buildings would act as noise reducing barriers to minimize exposure of adjacent receivers to excess noise levels. Modern construction materials, consistent with the Universal Building Code, typically provide an exterior-to-interior noise level reduction of 25 to 30 dB with all exterior openings sealed and provide an exterior-to-interior noise level reduction of 10 dB with windows and doors open (Caltrans 2013a). Noise levels due to the operation of an air compressor and pneumatic tools within the proposed buildings were modeled using the maximum noise levels summarized in Table 4 and a usage factor of 20 percent. To account for an enclosed building with doors open, equipment noise levels were reduced by 10 dB. The service departments would operate during the hours of 7 a.m. to Initial Study/Environmental Checklist Form
Santee Auto Center Project
9 p.m. Monday through Sunday. The auto body shop would operate during the hours of 8 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. Monday through Friday.
Parcel A would also include detail bays for up to six vehicles. Noise generated at the detail bays would be generated by Rigid WD1450 shop vacuums that generate a sound power level of 87 dB(A) Lpw. Noise levels were modeled with the vacuums operating simultaneously at full power at each of the six open detail bays.
Noise levels due to on-site operations were modeled at a series of 25 receivers located at the adjacent uses. The results are summarized in Table 8. Modeled receiver locations and daytime and nighttime operational noise contours are shown in Figures 7a and 7b, respectively. Calculations are provided in Appendix J.
Table 8
On-Site Generated Noise Levels at Adjacent Property Lines Receiver Land Use
Daytime Noise Level
[dB(A) Leq]
Nighttime Noise Level
[dB(A) Leq]
First-Floor Second-Floor First-Floor Second-Floor
1 Residential 48 49 40 41
2 Residential 50 51 41 42
3 Residential 50 51 40 41
4 Residential 54 -- 42 --
5 Residential 57 -- 42 --
6 Residential 57 -- 42 --
7 Residential 58 -- 44 --
8 Residential 57 -- 44 --
9 Residential 55 -- 45 --
10 Residential 51 52 39 42
11 Residential 52 -- 44 --
12 Residential 56 -- 41 --
13 Residential 50 55 40 44
14 Residential 50 51 39 43
15 Residential 56 55 38 43
16 Residential 52 52 41 42
17 Commercial 57 -- 40 --
18 Commercial 53 -- 41 --
19 Commercial 49 -- 41 --
20 Commercial 49 -- 41 --
21 Commercial 50 -- 42 --
22 Commercial 49 -- 42 --
23 Commercial 49 -- 42 --
24 Commercial 48 -- 41 --
25 Commercial 47 -- 39 --
As shown in Table 8, peak hour daytime operational noise levels at the adjacent residential uses would be 58 dB(A) Leq or less and nighttime operational noise levels would be 45 dB(A) Leq or less.
At the adjacent commercial uses, peak hour daytime operational noise levels would be 57 dB(A) Leq or less and nighttime operational noise levels would be 42 dB(A) Leq or less. Noise levels are not anticipated to exceed 65 dB(A) Leq during the operational hours.
FIGURE 7a
Operational Noise Contours -
Daytime
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Image Source: NearMap (flown April 2022)
0 Feet 150 [
Project Boundary
Site Plan
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65 dB(A) Leq
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M:\JOBS5\9999\common_gis\fig7a_mnd.mxd 4/24/2023 fmm
FIGURE 7b
Operational Noise Contours -
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Image Source: NearMap (flown April 2022)
0 Feet 150 [
Project BoundarySite Plan
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M:\JOBS5\9999\common_gis\fig7b_mnd.mxd 12/14/2022 bma
Initial Study/Environmental Checklist Form
Santee Auto Center Project
As discussed, the car wash exit would include a door that would be closed during a majority of the washing and drying process and would open to allow vehicles to exit. This door would reduce property line noise levels due to operation of the car wash beyond the levels summarized in Table
8. However, as a conservative analysis, noise reduction due to this door was not included in the model.
Section 5.04.160 of the Santee Municipal Code places limitations on noise sources that occur during the nighttime hours between 10:00 p.m. and 7:00 a.m. During the nighttime hours, “no person is permitted to generate any noise on any private open space that is louder than average conversational level at a distance of 50 feet or more, measured from the property line of the property from which the noise is being generated.” The car wash dryers, vacuums, service department, and auto body shop would not be operational during the nighttime hours. Nighttime noise levels due to rooftop mechanical equipment would range from 38 to 45 dB(A) Leq, which is not considered louder than the average conversational noise level.
To ensure that noise levels do not exceed those summarized in Table 8, the following mitigation measure would be required:
NOISE-2: Operational Noise
The project shall incorporate the following measures:
• Prior to precise grading, a six-foot masonry wall noise barrier shall be constructed along the western, southern, and eastern project boundaries as depicted in Figure 6a. The masonry wall shall be stepped up to eight feet along the eastern project boundary 50 feet south of Mission Gorge Road and 50 feet north of Railroad Avenue. The sound attenuation walls must be solid and free of cracks, gaps, or holes through or below the wall. Any seams or cracks must be filled or caulked.
• The manufacturer noise specifications for the car wash blower system selected for the project shall include a silencer package and shall not exceed a sound power level of 106 dB(A) Lpw. • The manufacturer noise specifications for the car wash vacuum hoses selected for the project shall not exceed a sound power level of 77.3 dB(A) Lpw. • Operation of the car wash shall be prohibited during the hours of 7 p.m. and 7 a.m.
With implementation of mitigation measure NOISE-2, operational noise levels are not anticipated to violate the Santee Municipal Code, and impacts would be less than significant. b. Less than Significant Impact. Construction activities would have the potential to result in varying degrees of temporary ground vibration, depending on the specific construction equipment used and operations involved. Ground vibration generated by construction equipment spreads through the ground and diminishes in magnitude with increases in distance. The effects of ground vibration may be imperceptible at the lowest levels, low rumbling sounds and detectable vibrations at moderate levels, and damage to nearby structures at the highest levels. Vibration perception would occur at structures, as people do not perceive vibrations without vibrating structures.
Initial Study/Environmental Checklist Form
Santee Auto Center Project
Human reaction to vibration is dependent on the environment the receiver is in as well as individual sensitivity. For example, vibration outdoors is rarely noticeable and generally not considered annoying. Typically, humans must be inside a structure for vibrations to become noticeable and/or annoying. Based on several federal studies, the threshold of perception is 0.035 inch per second (in/sec) peak particle velocity (PPV), with 0.24 in/sec PPV being distinctly perceptible (Caltrans 2013b). Neither cosmetic nor structural damage of buildings occurs at levels below 0.1 in/sec PPV.
Construction equipment could include a rock drill, rock crushing/processing equipment, loaded trucks, an excavator, as well as a dozer or loader. This equipment would generate maximum vibration levels up to 0.089 in/sec PPV at 25 feet. This range of construction vibration levels would be below the distinctly perceptible threshold of 0.24 in/sec PPV and below the cosmetic and structural damage of buildings threshold of 0.1 in/sec PPV. Therefore, project construction would not generate excessive groundborne vibration or groundborne noise levels, and impacts would be less than significant. Once operational, the project would not be a source of groundborne vibration. c. Less than Significant Impact. The property is located within the Airport Influence Area, Review Area 1 of Gillespie Field Airport. However, the project site is located just outside the 60 Community Noise Equivalent Level contour for Gillespie Field. Therefore, the project would not expose people to excessive noise levels from airport noise, and impacts would be less than significant.
15.14 Population and Housing
Would the project:
Issue
Potentially
Significant
Impact
Less Than
Significant with
Mitigation
Less Than
Significant
Impact No Impact
a. Induce substantial unplanned
population growth in an area,
either directly (for example, by
proposing new homes and
businesses) or indirectly (for
example, through extension of
roads or other infrastructure)?
b. Displace substantial numbers of
existing people or housing,
necessitating the construction of
replacement housing elsewhere?
Sources: Project Description; City of Santee General Plan–Land Use Element; San Diego Association of Governments (SANDAG) Data Surfer (SANDAG 2021).
a. Less than Significant Impact. Per the SANDAG Series 14 growth forecast, the population within the city was estimated to be 58,358 in 2025 and is estimated to increase by 3,539 people to 61,897 in 2035. The project does not include the construction of residential uses and would not extend any existing roads or expand existing infrastructure facilities that could induce growth. The project would result in 227 new jobs in the city. These jobs are expected to be accommodated by the existing Initial Study/Environmental Checklist Form
Santee Auto Center Project
workforce. Therefore, implementation of the project would not directly or indirectly induce substantial population growth in the area. No impact would occur. b. No Impact. The project site is vacant and currently undeveloped. Therefore, the project would not displace any existing people or housing. No impact would occur.
15.15 Public Services
Would the project:
Issue
Potentially
Significant
Impact
Less Than
Significant with
Mitigation
Less Than
Significant
Impact No Impact
a. Result in substantial adverse
physical impacts associated with
the provision of new or physically
altered governmental facilities,
need for new or physically altered
governmental facilities, the
construction of which could cause
significant environmental impacts,
in order to maintain acceptable
service ratios, response times or
other performance objectives for
any of the public services:
(i) Fire protection?
(ii) Police protection?
(iii) Schools?
(iv) Parks?
(v) Other public facilities?
Sources: City of Santee General Plan; City of Santee Fire Department; San Diego County Sheriff’s Department; and Fire and Rescue Mutual Aid Operations (County of San Diego 2014). a(i). Less than Significant Impact. The City operates two fire stations: one located at 8950 Cottonwood Avenue and the other at 9130 Carlton Oaks Drive. The project would be consistent with the existing land use and zoning designations for the project site, and therefore would be consistent with the growth assumptions utilized in the City’s fire protection planning. Furthermore, the project is located approximately 0.1 mile south of Fire Station 4, located on Cottonwood Avenue, which would be able to respond to an emergency at the project site within the City’s goal of six minutes. Therefore, the project would not result in the need for new or altered fire protection facilities, and impacts would be less than significant.
a(ii). Less than Significant Impact. Police protection is provided by the San Diego County Sheriff’s Department under contractual agreement with the City and operating out of the Santee Substation at 8811 Cuyamaca Street. The average priority call response time for general law enforcement within Initial Study/Environmental Checklist Form
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the city is 8.2 minutes and the average for traffic law enforcement is 7.5 minutes. Appropriate staffing levels for law enforcement personnel are evaluated at every contract renewal. The project would be consistent with the existing land use and zoning designations for the project site. Consequently, the project would be consistent with growth projections that were utilized to forecast future police protection within the city. Therefore, the project would not result in the need for new or altered police facilities, and impacts would be less than significant. a(iii). No Impact. The project would be consistent with the existing General Commercial (GC) district.
The project does not include the construction of residential uses that would require school services and would be consistent with growth projections that were utilized to forecast future demand for school services. Pursuant to Government Code Section 65995 et seq., the project proponent would be required to pay applicable school fees before a construction permit is issued. No impact would occur. Therefore, the project would not result in the need for new or altered school facilities, and no impact would occur.
a(iv). No Impact. The project would be consistent with the existing General Commercial (GC) district.
The project does not include the construction of residential uses and would be consistent with growth projections that were utilized to forecast future park demand within the city. Therefore, the project would not result in the need for new or altered park facilities, and no impact would occur. a(v). No Impact. The County of San Diego Library operates a Santee Branch at 9225 Carlton Hills Boulevard, Suite 17. The project would be consistent with the existing General Commercial (GC) district. The project does not include the construction of residential uses and would be consistent with growth projections that were utilized to forecast future library demand within the city. Therefore, the project would not result in the need for new or altered library facilities, and no impact would occur.
15.16 Recreation
Would the project:
Issue
Potentially
Significant
Impact
Less Than
Significant with
Mitigation
Less Than
Significant
Impact No Impact
a. Increase the use of existing
neighborhood and regional parks
or other recreational facilities such
that substantial physical
deterioration of the facility would
occur or be accelerated?
b. Include recreational facilities or
require the construction or
expansion of recreational facilities,
which might have an adverse
physical effect on the environment?
Source: Project Description.
Initial Study/Environmental Checklist Form
Santee Auto Center Project
a. No Impact. The project would be consistent with the existing General Commercial (GC) district.
The project does not include the construction of residential uses and would not result in a substantial increase in the use of parks that would accelerate their physical deterioration. Thus, no impact would occur.
b. No Impact. The project does not include the provision of recreational facilities or require the construction or expansion of recreational facilities. No impact would occur.
15.17 Transportation/Traffic
Would the project:
Issue
Potentially
Significant
Impact
Less Than
Significant with
Mitigation
Less Than
Significant
Impact No Impact
a. Conflict with a program plan,
ordinance, or policy addressing the
circulation system, including transit,
roadway, bicycle and pedestrian
facilities?
b. Conflict or be inconsistent with
CEQA Guidelines Section 15064.3,
subdivision (b)?
c. Substantially increase hazards due
to a geometric design feature (e.g.,
sharp curves or dangerous
intersections) or incompatible uses
(e.g., farm equipment)?
d. Result in inadequate emergency
access?
Sources: Traffic Impact Analysis prepared by Linscott, Law, and Greenspan, 2023 (see Appendix BC). a. Less than Significant Impact.
The City uses the regionally adopted San Diego Traffic Engineers’ Council/ITE guidelines for the purposes of traffic impact analysis. The project trip generation was calculated using the trip rates based on the ITE 11th Edition of the Trip Generation Manual and SANDAG (Not So) Brief Guide of Vehicular Traffic Generation Rates for the San Diego Region (2002). For the auto dealership, detail bays, and body shop, the trip rates for Land Use 840, Automobile Sales (New) from the ITE Trip Generation Manual were used. For the car wash, the trip rates for Land Use 948 Automated Car Wash from the ITE Trip Generation Manual were used to estimate the trip generation for this project.
However, the ITE Trip Generation Manual only provides the PM peak hour rates. Therefore, the rate per car wash from the SANDAG (Not So) Brief Guide of Vehicular Traffic Generation Rates for the San Diego Region (2002) was used to estimate the trip generation.
Initial Study/Environmental Checklist Form
Santee Auto Center Project
Construction of the project would result in impacts to the following intersections:
• Mission Gorge Road/Cuyamaca Street
• Mission Gorge Road/Cottonwood Avenue
In order to reduce potential impacts to the above intersections, the project would incorporate the following improvements:
• The project would align the project driveway opposite Edgemoor Drive, modify the existing traffic signal and provide a 40-foot-wide driveway with one left-turn lane and one shared through/right lane in the northbound direction (project driveway) at this intersection. • At the northerly driveway on Cottonwood Avenue, the southbound left-turn movement would be prohibited and only right-in/right-out and outbound left-turn movements would be permitted. Stop signs would be installed at all unsignalized driveways for traffic exiting the driveways.
Therefore, operation of the project would not conflict with a program plan, ordinance or policy addressing the performance of the roadway circulation system, and impacts would be less than significant.
Bus service is provided by the MTS. The bus routes serving the immediate area surrounding the project site include MTS Routes 832, 833, and 834. The bus stop closest to the project site is less than 300 feet away on Mission Gorge Road along the project frontage. A bicycle network inventory was conducted for the study area. Class II bike lanes are provided along Mission Gorge Road, Magnolia Avenue, Riverview Parkway, Town Center Parkway, Cuyamaca Street, Carlton Hills Boulevard, Carlton Oaks Drive, and Mast Boulevard. There are no bike lanes or bike routes provided on the segments of Cottonwood Avenue and Edgemoor Drive adjacent to the project site.
Continuous sidewalks are provided along both sides of Mast Boulevard, Carlton Oaks Drive, Mission Gorge Road, and Town Center Parkway within the study area. Sidewalks are missing on Cuyamaca Street south of Prospect Avenue, Cottonwood Avenue, and the west side of Magnolia Avenue between Chubb Lane and Park Avenue. Implementation of the project would not include any offsite improvements that would impact any of these facilities. The project would improve pedestrian access by constructing a meandering, non-contiguous sidewalk along Mission Gorge Road.
Therefore, the project would not conflict with a program plan, ordinance or policy addressing transit, bicycle and pedestrian facilities and impacts would be less than significant. b. Less than Significant Impact. In December 2018, the Natural Resources Agency adopted amendments to the CEQA Guidelines, including the incorporation of Senate Bill 743 (SB 743) modifications. The Office of Planning and Research also published an update to its Technical Advisory on Evaluating Transportation Impacts in CEQA (Technical Advisory) to assist professional planners, land use officials, and CEQA practitioners. The Technical Advisory provides recommendations on how to evaluate transportation impacts under SB 743 that agencies and other entities may use at their discretion. The Technical Advisory recommends the use of VMT as the preferred CEQA transportation metric. To comply with the new legislation, the City has identified VMT analysis Initial Study/Environmental Checklist Form
Santee Auto Center Project
methodology, established VMT thresholds for CEQA transportation impacts, and identified possible mitigation strategies.
VMT is a metric that accounts for the number of vehicle trips generated and the length or distance of those trips. VMT does not directly measure traffic operations but instead is a measure of network use or efficiency, especially if expressed as a function of population or employment (e.g., VMT/capita). VMT tends to increase as land use density decreases and travel becomes more reliant on the use of the automobile due to the long distances between origins and destinations.
The requirements to prepare a detailed transportation VMT analysis apply to all discretionary land development projects that are not exempt from CEQA, except those that meet at least one of the City’s transportation screening criteria. A project that meets at least one of the City’s screening criteria would be presumed to have a less than significant VMT impact due to project characteristics and/or location. Senate Bill 743 (Steinberg, 2013) provides for streamlined environmental review for projects within Transit Priority Areas, which is an area within a half mile of a “major transit stop.” A major transit stop, as defined in Public Resources Code 21064.3, is a site that contains any of the following:
• An existing rail or bus rapid transit station.
• A ferry terminal served by either a bus or rail transit service. • The intersection of two or more major bus routes with a frequency of service interval of 15 minutes or less during the morning and afternoon peak commute periods (high-quality transit corridor).
Projects located within a half-mile radius of an existing major transit stop or an existing stop along a high-quality transit corridor may be presumed to have a less-than-significant impact per the City’s VMT screening criteria. As described in 15.17.a, bus routes serving the immediate project area include MTS Routes 832, 833, and 834. The bus stop closest to the project site is less than 300 feet on Mission Gorge Road along the project frontage. In addition, as shown in Figure 8, a portion of the project is located within the Transit Priority Area. Therefore, the project would not conflict or be inconsistent with CEQA Guidelines Section 15064.3, subdivision (b), and impacts would be less than significant. c. Less than Significant Impact. As described in 15.17.a above, the project would incorporate roadway and site access improvements that would improve safety. Therefore, the project would not increase potential hazards associated with any new design feature or create an incompatible use, and impacts would be less than significant.
d. Less than Significant Impact. Access to the project site would be provided via Cottonwood Avenue, Mission Gorge Road, and Railroad Avenue. As described in 15.17.a, the project would incorporate roadway and site access improvements that would improve operations at the intersections of Mission Gorge Road/Cuyamaca Street and the Mission Gorge Road/Cottonwood Avenue. Therefore, the project would not impact surrounding roadways which would result in impediments to emergency access, and impacts would be less than significant.
M:\JOBS5\9999\env\graphics\fig8_mnd.afdesign 12/21/22 bma Source: Linscott, Law, and Greenspan Engineers
FIGURE 8
High-Quality Transit Corridors
and Transit Stops
Initial Study/Environmental Checklist Form
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15.18 Tribal Cultural Resources
Would the project:
Issue
Potentially
Significant
Impact
Less Than
Significant with
Mitigation
Less Than
Significant
Impact No Impact
a. Cause a substantial adverse change
in the significance of a tribal
cultural resource, defined in Public
Resources Code Section 21074 as
either a site, feature, place, cultural
landscape that is geographically
defined in terms of the size and
scope of the landscape, sacred
place, or object with cultural value
to a California Native American
tribe, and that is:
i. Listed or eligible for listing in
the California Register of
Historical Resources, or in a
local register of historical
resources as defined in Public
Resources Code Section
5020.1(k)?
ii. A resource determined by the
lead agency, in its discretion
and supported by substantial
evidence, to be significant
pursuant to criteria set forth in
subdivision (c) of Public
Resources Code Section 5024.1.
In applying the criteria set forth
in subdivision (c) of Public
Resource Code Section 5024.1,
the lead agency shall consider
the significance of the resource
to a California Native American
tribe?
Sources: City of Santee General Plan-Conservation Element; Cultural Resources Due Diligence Study prepared by Rincon Consultants, Inc. (2019, Appendix C); Phase II Cultural Resources Testing and Evaluation Report prepared by Rincon Consultants, Inc. (2019, Appendix D).
Initial Study/Environmental Checklist Form
Santee Auto Center Project
a.i. and a.ii. Less than Significant with Mitigation.
As discussed in Section 15.5, the prehistoric or historic components of the site were recommended as ineligible for listing under NRHP Criterion D/CRHR Criterion 4. The project is not subject to Senate Bill (SB) 18 as the project is not a General Plan, Specific Plan or an amendment to these plans.
However, the project is subject to Assembly Bill (AB) 52 as it is subject to CEQA.
On July 3, 2023, the City prepared and sent AB 52 notification letters to the four tribal contacts that formally requested notification of projects in the City via certified mail. The City received evidence that three of the four tribes received the notification. No evidence was provided to the City that the fourth tribal organization received the notice. Of the three tribal organizations that received the notice, one was returned to the City with a “return to sender” notification.
Under California Public Resources Code, Section 21080.3.1(b), the tribes had 30 days from the receipt of the notification letters to request consultation under AB 52. Within the 30-day response period, the City received one response to the AB 52 consultation letters from the Barona Band of Mission Indians (Barona).
In an email dated July 7, 2023, Barona requested AB 52 consultation for the project, copies of prior cultural resource surveys or reports and more information on the proposed monitoring program.
City staff coordinated with Barona as to the preferred format of the reports (i.e., hard copy, electronic, thumb drive). Three reports were sent to Barona electronically in three separate emails on July 12, 2023. On July 13, 2023, Barona confirmed receipt of all the reports and concluded that the mitigation recommended (starting on page 6 of the Rincon report) “seems adequate for the resources that have been identified.” Barona further stated: “However, if anything significant is encountered before or during construction, I definitely want to hear about it.” On July 14, 2023, Barona confirmed that the AB 52 consultation was concluded “as long as the mitigation measures are included as conditions of approval and are implemented as the project goes forward.” As of the publication of this MND, the AB 52 consultation has concluded.
As addressed above, implementation of mitigation measures CUL-1 through CUL-4 would require a Worker’s Environmental Awareness Program prior to the start of ground disturbance for the project and that archaeological and Native American monitoring take place during initial project related ground disturbance to assure that any resources found during project grading be protected.
Therefore, impacts to tribal cultural resources would be less than significant with the incorporation of mitigation.
Initial Study/Environmental Checklist Form
Santee Auto Center Project
15.19 Utilities and Service Systems
Issue
Potentially
Significant
Impact
Less Than
Significant with
Mitigation
Less Than
Significant
Impact No Impact
a. Require or result in the relocation
or construction of new or
expanded water, wastewater
treatment or storm water drainage,
electric power, natural gas, or
telecommunications facilities, the
construction or relocation of which
could cause significant
environmental effects?
b. Have sufficient water supplies
available to serve the project and
reasonably foreseeable future
development during normal, dry,
and multiple dry years?
c. Result in a determination by the
wastewater treatment provided
which serves or may serve the
project that it has adequate
capacity to serve the project’s
projected demand in addition to
the provider’s existing
commitments?
d. Generate solid waste in excess of
State or local standards, or in
excess of the capacity of local
infrastructure, or otherwise impair
the attainment of solid waste
reduction goals?
e. Comply with federal, state, and
local management and reduction
statutes and regulations related to
solid waste?
Sources: City of Santee, General Plan, Conservation Element; Santee Municipal Code; Project Site Plan; County of San Diego Countywide Five-Year Review Report of the Countywide Integrated Waste Management Plan (County of San Diego 2012); Padre Dam Municipal Water District website (http://www.padredam.org/).
a. Less than Significant Impact. The project would be consistent with the existing land use and zoning designations. Consequently, the project would not require water and wastewater service beyond Initial Study/Environmental Checklist Form
Santee Auto Center Project
what has been anticipated by regional growth projections. Existing water and sewer facilities are available adjacent to the site, and improvements would be limited to the extension of pipelines onto the project site. Consequently, potential impacts associated with these water and wastewater connections have been evaluated throughout this Draft IS/MND. Therefore, the project would not require relocation or construction of new or expanded water or wastewater treatment facilities that would cause significant environmental effects, and impacts would be less than significant.
The project would be required to prepare a site-specific SWPPP consistent with the SWRCB Construction General Permit as a condition of approval. In addition, the developed run-off would flow into proposed bio-infiltration areas and then into detention basins and ultimately released at less than or equal to pre-project flows. Therefore, the project would not require relocation or construction of new or expanded storm water drainage facilities, and impacts would be less than significant.
The project would be consistent with the existing land use and zoning designations. Consequently, the project would not consume additional electric power, natural gas, or telecommunication services beyond what has been anticipated by regional growth projections. Existing energy and telecommunication facilities are available adjacent to the site, and improvements would be limited to extensions onto the project site. Potential impacts associated with these energy and telecommunication connections have been evaluated throughout this Draft Initial Study/Mitigated Negative Declaration. Therefore, the project would not require relocation or construction of new or expanded electric power, natural gas, or telecommunication services facilities, and impacts would be less than significant.
b. Less than Significant Impact. The project would be consistent with the existing land use and zoning designations. Consequently, the project would not require water service beyond what has been anticipated by regional growth projections. Therefore, the project would have sufficient water supplies available to serve the project and reasonably foreseeable future development during normal, dry, and multiple dry years, and impacts would be less than significant. c. Less than Significant Impact. The project would be consistent with the existing land use and zoning designations. Consequently, the project would not require wastewater treatment service beyond what has been anticipated by regional growth projections. Therefore, adequate wastewater treatment capacity exists to serve the project, and impacts would be less than significant. d. Less than Significant Impact. Santee Municipal Code Section 13.38.060 requires that a minimum of 65 percent by weight of construction and demolition debris be diverted from landfills through recycling, reuse, and diversion programs. The project would develop a construction and demolition debris management plan demonstrating how the project would comply with the Santee Municipal Code diversion requirements prior to issuance of a building or demolition permit.
Solid waste generated during operation of the project that cannot be recycled would be sent to area landfills. Based on the Five-Year Review Report of the County of San Diego Integrated Waste Management Plan for the County, remaining capacity at area landfills would be adequate to handle the project’s solid waste disposal needs. Most solid waste collected in the city is disposed of at the Sycamore Sanitary Landfill, which has remaining capacity through the year 2054. Other landfills that handle waste from Santee include the Miramar Landfill and the Otay Landfill, which have remaining Initial Study/Environmental Checklist Form
Santee Auto Center Project
capacity. Therefore, the project would be served by landfill(s) with sufficient permitted capacity, and impacts would be less than significant.
e. Less than Significant Impact. The project would comply with the City’s construction and demolition recycling ordinance (Santee Municipal Code Section 13.38.060) and Solid Waste Ordinance #3239A, which is consistent with the state solid waste and recycling regulations requiring a minimum of 65 percent of the project’s construction and demolition be diverted from the landfills. Therefore, the proposed would comply with applicable management and reduction statutes and regulations related to solid waste, and impacts would be less than significant.
15.20 Wildfire
If located in or near state responsibility areas or lands classified as very high fire hazard severity zones, would the project:
Issue
Potentially
Significant
Impact
Less Than
Significant with
Mitigation
Less Than
Significant
Impact No Impact
a. Substantially impair an adopted
emergency response plan or
emergency evacuation plan?
b. Due to slope, prevailing winds, and
other factors, exacerbate wildfire
risks, and thereby expose project
occupants to, pollutant
concentrations from a wildfire or the
uncontrolled spread of a wildfire?
c. Require the installation or
maintenance of associated
infrastructure (such as roads, fuel
breaks, emergency water sources,
power lines, or other utilities) that
may exacerbate fire risk or that may
result in temporary or ongoing
impacts to the environment?
d. Expose people or structures to
significant risks, including
downslope or downstream flooding
or landslides, as a result of runoff,
post-fire slope instability, or
drainage changes?
Sources: California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection (https://egis.fire.ca.gov/FHSZ/); General Plan Safety Element.
Initial Study/Environmental Checklist Form
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a. Less than Significant Impact. As described in Section 15.9.f, the project site is located in an existing developed area with access to major roadways that would allow for emergency evacuation.
Therefore, the project would not impair implementation of, or physically interfere with emergency response and impacts would be less than significant.
b. Less than Significant Impact. As shown on the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection Hazard Severity Zones Map, the project site is not located within land mapped as a fire hazard severity zone. The project is located in a generally flat area and is surrounded by existing development on all sides. In addition, Fire Station 4 is located approximately 0.1 mile north of the project site at 8950 Cottonwood Avenue. Therefore, there are no characteristics of the surrounding environment that would exacerbate wildfire risks, and impacts would be less than significant. c. Less than Significant Impact. As described in Section 15.19.a, the project would not require or result in the construction of new water or wastewater treatment facilities or expansion of existing facilities.
Additionally, the project would not require construction or maintenance of any other infrastructure facilities. Therefore, the project would not require the installation or maintenance of associated infrastructure that may exacerbate fire risk, and impacts would be less than significant. d. No Impact. As described in Section 15.9.g, the project site is not within the 100-year floodplain.
Although the project is located within the potential inundation areas delineated on Figure 8-2 of the General Plan Safety Element, the project does not possess any features that would exacerbate risk associated with flood inundation beyond what exists for surrounding land uses in the existing condition. Furthermore, the project site is located in a generally flat area and surrounded by existing development on all sides. Therefore, the project would not expose people or structures to significant risks, including downslope or downstream flooding or landslides, as a result of runoff, post-fire slope instability, or drainage changes. No impacts would occur.
Initial Study/Environmental Checklist Form
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15.21 Mandatory Findings of Significance
Does the project:
Issue
Potentially
Significant
Impact
Less Than
Significant with
Mitigation
Less Than
Significant
Impact No Impact
a. Have the potential to substantially
degrade the quality of the
environment, substantially reduce
the habitat of a fish or wildlife
species, cause a fish or wildlife
population to drop below selfsustaining levels, threaten to eliminate a plant or animal
community, substantially reduce
the number or restrict the range of
a rare or endangered plant or
animal or eliminate important
examples of the major periods of
California history or prehistory?
b. Have impacts that are individually
limited, but cumulatively
considerable? (“Cumulatively
considerable” means that the
incremental effects of a project are
considerable when viewed in
connection with the effects of past
projects, the effects of other
current projects, and the effects of
probable futures projects)?
c. Have environmental effects, which
will cause substantial adverse
effects on human beings, either
directly or indirectly?
Sources: Santee Active Projects,
https://www.cityofsanteeca.gov/home/showpublisheddocument/22956/638066340519230000 a. Less than Significant with Mitigation. As described in Section 15.4, if vegetation clearing activities are proposed during or continue into the general bird breeding season (February 15–August 30), mitigation measure BIO-1 would require a pre-construction clearance survey for nesting birds and raptors. Implementation of mitigation measure BIO-1 would reduce potential impacts to nesting birds and raptors to a level less than significant.
Initial Study/Environmental Checklist Form
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As described in Section 15.5, there is potential for buried archaeological deposits that could be encountered during project related ground disturbance. Due to the overall sensitivity of the project area, the project would require completion of a Worker’s Environmental Awareness Program prior to the start of ground disturbance for the project and that archaeological and Native American monitoring take place during initial project related ground disturbance. Implementation of mitigation measures CUL-1 through CUL-4 would reduce impacts to historic and unique archaeological resources to a level less than significant.
b. Less than Significant Impact. In addition to evaluation of potential project-specific effects, this evaluation considered the project’s potential for incremental effects that may be cumulatively considerable when viewed in connection with the effects of past, current, or probable future projects in the area. The City’s Active Projects Map identified cumulative projects in the project area for review.
As discussed in this Initial Study, project impacts and future development impacts would be reduced with mitigation measures and adherence with all regulatory compliance. Air quality is a regional issue and the cumulative study area for air quality impacts encompasses the SDAB as a whole. Therefore, the cumulative analysis addresses regional air quality plans and policies, such as the RAQS, as well as the project’s contribution to a net increase of any criteria pollutant for which the SDAB is listed as a non-attainment area. As described in Section 15.3.a, the project would be consistent with the growth projections of the General Plan and would not result in an increase in emissions that are already accounted for in the RAQS. Climate change is, by its nature, a cumulative issue. As described in Section 15.8.b, the project would not conflict with the applicable plans developed to reduce GHG emissions at the regional level. As described in Section 5.13 all project-level noise impacts would be mitigated to a level less than significant. Due to the varied schedules and for construction of cumulative projects listed in the City’s Active Projects Map, it is unlikely construction activities would overlap, thereby avoiding significant cumulative noise impacts on sensitive receptors. In the event of other future developments in the surrounding area, adherence to all applicable local, state, and federal regulations would be required to reduce potential impacts to a less than significant level.
Therefore, the project is not anticipated to contribute to considerable environmental impacts, and impacts would be less than significant.
c. Less than Significant Impact. As discussed throughout this document, no hazardous conditions on the project site or in the surrounding area were identified that could adversely affect human beings.
It is not anticipated that demolition or construction activities would create conditions that would significantly directly or indirectly impact human beings. Development of the project site would comply with all state and City regulations that would ensure the building is safe and designed to protect future occupants. The project would not result in any substantial adverse effects on human beings directly or indirectly.
Initial Study/Environmental Checklist Form
Santee Auto Center Project
16. Checklist References
Project documents–including all plans, documents, departmental comments and information contained in the files for the Schoolyard Project.
1. AcoustiControl, Mobil Car Wash Environmental Noise Study, H1293 Revised, Prepared for Civil and Environmental Consultants, Inc, August 29, 2017.
2. Airport Land Use Commission (ALUC). Gillespie Field Airport Land Use Compatibility Plan, 2010.
3. California Air Pollution Control Officers Association (CAPCOA), CEQA and Climate Change:
Evaluating and Addressing Greenhouse Gas Emissions from Projects Subject to the California Environmental Quality Act, January 2008.
4. CAPCOA, California Emissions Estimator Model Version 2016.3.1, 2017.
5. California Air Resources Board (CARB), Climate Change Scoping Plan, 2017.
6. CARB, Climate Change Scoping Plan: A Framework for Change, 2008. Accessed at:
http://www.arb.ca.gov/cc/scopingplan/document/adopted_scoping_plan.pdf.
7. CARB, Emission Factors Web Database model, 2017. Accessed at https://www.arb.ca.gov/emfac/2017/.
8. California Department of Conservation California Important Farmland Finder. https://maps.conservation.ca.gov/dlrp/ciff/.
9. California Department of Toxic Substances Control, EnviroStor Database, 2022. Accessed at https://www.envirostor.dtsc.ca.gov/public/.
10. California Department of Transportation (Caltrans), Technical Noise Supplement, November 2013a.
11. Caltrans, Transportation and Construction Vibration Guidance Manual. September 2013b.
12. California Energy Code, California Code of Regulations, Title 24, Part 6, 2019.
13. California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC). Renewables Portfolio Standard Annual Report, November 2021.
14. City of Santee, Active Projects Map. https://www.cityofsanteeca.gov/home/ showpublisheddocument/22956/638066340519230000
15. City of Santee General Plan, 2003.
16. City of Santee Draft Multiple Species Conservation Subarea Plan, 2018.
17. City of Santee Fire Department.
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18. City of Santee Municipal Code.
19. City of Santee. Sustainable Santee Plan. 2019.
https://www.cityofsanteeca.gov/home/showdocument?id=18422
20. City of Santee Zoning Ordinance.
21. County of San Diego, Fire and Rescue Mutual Aid Operations, September 2014.
22. County of San Diego, Countywide Five-Year Review Report of the Countywide Integrated Waste Management Plan, September 2012.
23. County of San Diego, Guidelines for Determining Significance, Paleontological Resources, January 15, 2009.
24. Federal Highway Administration (FHWA). Roadway Construction Noise Model User’s Guide.
FHWA-HEP-05-054, SOT-VNTSC-FHWA-05-01, Final Report, January 2006.
25. Federal Transit Administration. Transit Noise and Vibration Impact Assesment Manual.
September 2018. https://www.transit.dot.gov/sites/fta.dot.gov/files/docs/research-innovation/ 118131/transit-noise-and-vibration-impact-assessment-manual-fta-report-no-0123_0.pdf
26. Institute of Transportation Engineers (ITE). Guidelines for Traffic Impact Studies in the San Diego Region, May 2019
27. California Department of Conservation. Mineral Lands Classification. 1996.
28. Office of Environmental Health Hazard Assessment (OEHHA) Air Toxics Hot Spots Program Guidance Manual for the Preparation of Risk Assessments (Guidance Manual), February 2015.
29. Padre Dam Municipal Water District (PDMWD). Website Available at http://www.padredam.org/.
30. Padre Dam Municipal Water District Urban Water Management Plan. 2020. https://www.padredam.org/DocumentCenter/View/5620/2020-Urban-Water-ManagementPlan.
31. San Diego Air Pollution Control District (SDAPCD) Resolution Adopting Amended Rule 20.1 – New Source Review – General Provisions; Rule 20.2 – New Source Review – Non-Major Stationary Sources; Rule 20.3 – New Source Review – Major Stationary Sources And Prevention of Significant Deterioration (PSD) Stationary Sources; Rule 20.4 – New Source Review – Portable Emission Units; and Rule 20.6 – Standards for Permit to Operate Air Quality Analysis, of Regulation II of the Rules and Regulations of the San Diego Air Pollution Control District. Resolution Number 16-041, April 2016.
32. San Diego Air Pollution Control District (SDAPCD). Facility Emissions – 2020 Industry Wide Emissions Inventory Report. Accessed at https://www.sdapcd.org/content/sdapcd/ permits/toxics-emissions/facility-emissions.html.
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33. San Diego Association of Governments (SANDAG). (Not So) Brief Guide of Vehicular Traffic Generation Rates for the San Diego Region. April 2002.
34. SANDAG. Transportation Forecast Information Center. Series 14 Forecast, June 22, 2021. Accessed at http://tfic.sandag.org.
35. SANDAG Data Surfer, Series 13 Forecast. Accessed at http://datasurfer.sandag.org/ download/sandag_forecast_13_jurisdiction_santee.pdf.
36. San Diego County Sheriff’s Department.
37. San Diego Traffic Engineers’ Council/Institute of Transportation Engineers (SANTEC/ITE) Guidelines for Traffic Impact Studies in the San Diego Region, March 2000.
38. State Water Resources Control Board–Geotracker Database, 2022. Accessed at http://geotracker.waterboards.ca.gov/.
39. Steinberg. https://www.hthglaw.com/sb-743-changes-transit-priority-projects-transportationimpact-analysis-ceqa/. 2013.
40. U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (U.S. EPA). Screening Procedures for Estimating the Air Quality Impact of Stationary Sources. 1992.
Initial Study/Environmental Checklist Form
Santee Auto Center Project
APPENDICES
(Under Separate Cover)
Mitigation Monitoring and Reporting Program
Santee Auto Center Project
MMRP-1
MITIGATION MONITORING AND REPORTING PROGRAM
INCORPORATED INTO THE PROJECT
Section 21081.6 of the CEQA Guidelines requires that a MMRP be adopted upon certification of an Environmental Impact Report or adoption of a Mitigated Negative Declaration to ensure that the mitigation measures are implemented. The MMRP specifies the mitigation for the project, when in the process it should be accomplished, and the entity responsible for implementing and/or monitoring the mitigation. Public Resources Code Section 21081.6 requires monitoring of only those impacts identified as significant or potentially significant.
The following MMRP table identifies measures that specifically apply to this project. As shown in the table, each mitigation measure is categorized by impact area and corresponding number, with an accompanying identification of:
• The time of the project during which the measure should be implemented; • The responsible monitoring party; and
• The action indicating compliance with the mitigation measure.
EXHIBIT B
Santee Auto Center Project
MMRP-2
MITIGATION MONITORING AND REPORTING PROGRAM
Mitigation Measure Implementation/Timing
Responsible
Monitoring Party Compliance Action
Certified
Complete
Biological Resources
BIO-1 – Nesting Birds and Raptors: If vegetation clearing activities are proposed during or continue into the
general bird breeding season (February 15–August 30), a pre-construction clearance survey for nesting birds and raptors shall be conducted. The survey shall cover all
suitable nesting habitats that occur within the proposed project site. The pre-construction survey shall be
conducted within three days of the start of work.
If any active nests are detected, the area will be flagged and mapped along with a buffer as recommended by
the qualified biologist. The buffer area(s) established by the qualified biologist will be avoided until the nesting cycle is complete or it is determined that the nest is no longer active. The qualified biologist shall be a person familiar with bird breeding behavior and capable of
identifying the bird species of San Diego County by
sight and sound and determining alterations of behavior as a result of human interaction. Buffers will be based on species-appropriate buffers and/or local topography
and line of sight, species behavior and tolerance to
disturbance, and existing disturbance levels, as
determined appropriate by the qualified biologist.
Prior to grading or ground
disturbance, if vegetation clearing
activities are proposed during or
continue into the general bird
breeding season (February 15–
August 30).
Project Applicant Pre-grading survey for nesting birds and raptors
Santee Auto Center Project
MMRP-3
MITIGATION MONITORING AND REPORTING PROGRAM
Mitigation Measure Implementation/Timing
Responsible
Monitoring Party Compliance Action
Certified
Complete
Cultural Resources
CUL-1: Worker Environmental Awareness Program: Prior
to the commencement of project-related grounddisturbing activities, including but not limited to site clearing, grubbing, trenching, and excavation, a
qualified archaeologist who meets or exceeds the
Secretary of the Interior’s Professional Qualifications Standards for archaeology shall provide a Worker
Environmental Awareness Program for the general
contractor, subcontractors, and construction workers
participating in ground-disturbing activity for project construction. The Worker Environmental Awareness
Program training shall describe the potential of
exposing archaeological resources, types of cultural
materials that may be encountered, and directions on
the steps that shall be taken if such a find is
encountered. This training may be presented alongside
other environmental training programs required prior to construction. A Worker Environmental Awareness
Program acknowledgment form shall be signed by
workers who receive the training.
Prior to grading or ground
disturbance
Project Applicant A qualified archaeologist who meets or exceeds the Secretary of the Interior’s
Professional Qualifications Standards for
archaeology shall provide a Worker
Environmental Awareness Program and
training for the general contractor,
subcontractors, and construction workers
participating in ground-disturbing activity
for project construction.
CUL-2: Preparation of a Cultural Resources Mitigation
and Monitoring Program: Prior to the start of any
ground-disturbing activity for project construction,
including but not limited to site clearing, grubbing,
trenching, and excavation, a qualified archaeologist who meets or exceeds the Secretary of Interior’s Professional Qualifications Standards for archaeology shall be
retained to prepare a Cultural Resources Mitigation and Monitoring Program for unanticipated discoveries
during project construction. The Cultural Resources
Mitigation and Monitoring Program shall be prepared in
consultation with Native American tribes who have
participated in consultation for the project. The Cultural Resources Mitigation and Monitoring Program shall
Prior to grading or ground
disturbance
Project Applicant A qualified archaeologist who meets or exceeds the Secretary of Interior’s
Professional Qualifications Standards for
archaeology shall be retained to prepare a
Cultural Resources Mitigation and
Monitoring Program for unanticipated
discoveries during project construction.
Santee Auto Center Project
MMRP-4
MITIGATION MONITORING AND REPORTING PROGRAM
Mitigation Measure Implementation/Timing
Responsible
Monitoring Party Compliance Action
Certified
Complete
include provisions for archaeological, historic and Native American monitoring of initial ground disturbance
related to construction of the project, project
construction schedule, procedures to be followed in the event of discovery of archaeological resources including additional artifacts or features associated with RIN-S-1, and protocols for Native American coordination and
input, including review of documents. The Cultural
Resources Mitigation and Monitoring Program shall
outline the role and responsibilities of Native American monitor(s). It shall include communication protocols and opportunity and timelines for review of cultural
resources documents related to discoveries that are
Native American in origin. The Cultural Resources
Mitigation and Monitoring Program shall include
provisions for Native American monitoring during
testing or data recovery efforts for unknown resources
that are Native American in origin, shall any be
encountered. Once completed, the Cultural Resources
Mitigation and Monitoring Program shall be reviewed
and approved by the Project Planner at the City of
Santee prior to the start of any ground disturbing
activities.
Santee Auto Center Project
MMRP-5
MITIGATION MONITORING AND REPORTING PROGRAM
Mitigation Measure Implementation/Timing
Responsible
Monitoring Party Compliance Action
Certified
Complete
CUL-3: Cultural Resources Construction Monitoring: A
qualified archaeologist who meets or exceeds the
Secretary of Interior’s Professional Qualifications
Standards for archaeology shall be present during
ground-disturbing activity for project construction,
including but not limited to site clearing, grubbing,
trenching, and excavation, for the duration of the
project ground disturbance or until the qualified
archaeologist determines monitoring is no longer
necessary.
At the completion of monitoring, the qualified
archaeologist should prepare a Cultural Resources
Monitoring Report to document the findings during the
monitoring effort for the project. The report shall
include the monitoring logs completed for the project
and shall document any discoveries made during
monitoring. The Cultural Resources Monitoring Report
shall be submitted to the City of Santee and the South
Coastal Information Center.
During ground-disturbing activity Project Applicant A qualified archaeologist who meets or exceeds the Secretary of Interior’s
Professional Qualifications Standards for
archaeology shall be present during
ground-disturbing activity for project
construction.
At the completion of monitoring, the
qualified archaeologist should prepare a
Cultural Resources Monitoring Report to
document the findings during the
monitoring effort for the project.
CUL-4: Native American Construction Monitoring: A
minimum of one Native American monitor shall be
present during ground-disturbing activity for project
ground disturbance, including but not limited to site
clearing, grubbing, trenching, and excavation, for the
duration of the project ground disturbance or until the qualified archaeologist determines monitoring is no
longer necessary. The Native American monitors shall
be of Kumeyaay descent with ancestral ties to the San
Diego region and at minimum one year of monitoring
experience within Kumeyaay ancestral territory.
During ground-disturbing activity Project Applicant A minimum of one Native American monitor of Kumeyaay descent shall be
present during ground-disturbing activity.
Santee Auto Center Project
MMRP-6
MITIGATION MONITORING AND REPORTING PROGRAM
Mitigation Measure Implementation/Timing
Responsible
Monitoring Party Compliance Action
Certified
Complete
CUL-5: California Health and Safety Code Section
7050.5: During project construction, if human remains
are found, the California Health and Safety Code Section 7050.5 states no further disturbance shall occur until the County Coroner has made a determination of origin and
disposition pursuant to Public Resources Code Section
5097.98. Per the Public Resources Code, in the event of an unanticipated discovery of human remains, the
County Coroner shall be notified immediately. If the
human remains are determined to be prehistoric, the
coroner shall notify the Native American Heritage
Commission, which will determine and notify a Most
Likely Descendant.
During ground-disturbing activity
and construction
Project Applicant If human remains are found, the California Health and Safety Code Section 7050.5
states no further disturbance shall occur
until the County Coroner has made a
determination of origin and disposition
pursuant to Public Resources Code
Section 5097.98. Per the Public Resources
Code, in the event of an unanticipated
discovery of human remains, the County
Coroner shall be notified immediately. If
the human remains are determined to be
prehistoric, the coroner shall notify the
Native American Heritage Commission,
which will determine and notify a Most
Likely Descendant.
Noise
NOISE-1: Construction Noise
Prior to issuance of any grading permit(s) for the
project, the project applicant or its contractor(s) shall ensure that:
• On-site rocks and boulders shall be relocated offsite to the maximum extent feasible. • All on-site rock crushing shall occur at a distance of 165 feet or more from the southern, eastern, and
western property lines.
• All construction equipment, fixed or mobile, shall be equipped with properly operating and maintained
mufflers.
• Construction noise reduction methods such as
shutting off idling equipment, maximizing the
distance between construction equipment staging
areas and occupied residential areas, and use of
electric air compressors and similar power tools,
rather than diesel equipment, shall be used where
feasible.
Prior to issuance of any grading
permit(s)
Project Applicant The project applicant or its contractor(s) shall ensure that:
• On-site rocks and boulders shall be
relocated off-site to the maximum
extent feasible.
• All on-site rock crushing shall occur at
a distance of 165 feet or more from
the southern, eastern, and western
property lines.
• All construction equipment, fixed or
mobile, shall be equipped with
properly operating and maintained
mufflers.
• Construction noise reduction
methods such as shutting off idling
equipment, maximizing the distance
between construction equipment
staging areas and occupied residential
areas, and use of electric air
Santee Auto Center Project
MMRP-7
MITIGATION MONITORING AND REPORTING PROGRAM
Mitigation Measure Implementation/Timing
Responsible
Monitoring Party Compliance Action
Certified
Complete
• During construction, stationary construction
equipment shall be placed such that emitted noise
is directed away from or shielded from sensitive
noise receivers.
• During construction, stockpiling and vehicle staging
areas shall be located as far as practical from noise
sensitive receptors.
• The project shall be in compliance with the City’s
Noise Abatement and Control Ordinance such that
construction shall occur on the weekdays (Monday
through Friday) and Saturday between the hours of
7:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. and a notice of construction
shall be mailed to all owners and occupants within
300 feet of the project site no more than 10 days
before the start of construction. Construction hours,
allowable workdays and the phone number of the
job superintendent shall be clearly posted at all
construction entrances to allow surrounding
property owners and residents to contact the job
superintendent. In the event that the City receives a
complaint regarding construction noise,
appropriate corrective actions shall be implemented
and a report of the action provided to the reporting
party.
compressors and similar power tools,
rather than diesel equipment, shall be
used where feasible.
• During construction, stationary
construction equipment shall be
placed such that emitted noise is
directed away from or shielded from
sensitive noise receivers.
• During construction, stockpiling and
vehicle staging areas shall be located
as far as practical from noise sensitive
receptors.
The project shall comply with the City’s
Noise Abatement and Control Ordinance
such that construction shall occur on the
weekdays (Monday through Friday) and
Saturday between the hours of 7:00 a.m.
to 7:00 p.m. and a notice of construction
shall be mailed to all owners and
occupants within 300 feet of the project
site no more than 10 days before the start
of construction. Construction hours,
allowable workdays and the phone
number of the job superintendent shall be
clearly posted at all construction entrances
to allow surrounding property owners and
residents to contact the job
superintendent. In the event that the City
receives a complaint regarding
construction noise, appropriate corrective
actions shall be implemented and a report
of the action provided to the reporting
party.
Santee Auto Center Project
MMRP-8
MITIGATION MONITORING AND REPORTING PROGRAM
Mitigation Measure Implementation/Timing
Responsible
Monitoring Party Compliance Action
Certified
Complete
NOISE-2: Operational Noise
The project shall incorporate the following measures:
• Prior to precise grading, a six-foot masonry wall
noise barrier shall be constructed along the
western, southern, and eastern project boundaries
as depicted in Figure 6a. The masonry wall shall be
stepped up to eight feet along the eastern project
boundary 50 feet south of Mission Gorge Road and
50 feet north of Railroad Avenue. The sound
attenuation walls must be solid and free of cracks,
gaps, or holes through or below the wall. Any
seams or cracks must be filled or caulked.
• The manufacturer noise specifications for the car
wash blower system selected for the project shall
include a silencer package and shall not exceed a
sound power level of 106 dB(A) Lpw.
• The manufacturer noise specifications for the car
wash vacuum hoses selected for the project shall
not exceed a sound power level of 77.3 dB(A) Lpw.
• Operation of the car wash shall be prohibited
during the hours of 7 p.m. and 7 a.m.
• Prior to precise grading
• Prior to approval of grading
permit, noise specifications and
operation shall be included as
notes on the grading plans
Project Applicant • Prior to precise grading, a six-foot masonry wall noise barrier shall be
constructed along the western,
southern, and eastern project
boundaries as depicted in Figure 6a.
The masonry wall shall be stepped up
to eight feet along the eastern project
boundary 50 feet south of Mission
Gorge Road and 50 feet north of
Railroad Avenue. The sound
attenuation walls must be solid and
free of cracks, gaps, or holes through
or below the wall. Any seams or cracks
must be filled or caulked.
• The manufacturer noise specifications
for the car wash blower system
selected for the project shall include a
silencer package and shall not exceed
a sound power level of 106 dB(A) Lpw.
• The manufacturer noise specifications
for the car wash vacuum hoses
selected for the project shall not
exceed a sound power level of 77.3
dB(A) Lpw.
• Operation of the car wash shall be
prohibited during the hours of 7 p.m.
and 7 a.m.
RESOLUTION NO.
1 RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF SANTEE, CALIFORNIA APPROVING CONDITIONAL USE PERMIT P2022-10 FOR AN AUTO CENTER AND RELATED SITE IMPROVEMENTS AT 10335 MISSION GORGE ROAD (APN 384-091-01, -13, -14) IN THE GENERAL COMMERCIAL (GC) ZONE APPLICANT: KEVIN PERRY (HED DESIGN)
RELATED CASE FILES: AEIS2022-11
WHEREAS, Table 13.12.030.A of the Santee Municipal Code (SMC) allows automotive services including sales, repairs, and carwashes in the General Commercial (GC) zone with the approval of a Conditional Use Permit; and WHEREAS, on August 14, 2023, Kevin Perry of HED Design submitted a complete application for Conditional Use Permit P2022-10 to establish an auto center (Project) at 10335 Mission Gorge Road in the General Commercial (GC) Zone; and WHEREAS, the proposed Project includes two dealership buildings, an auto body shop, an auto detailing building, an automatic carwash and related site improvements on a vacant 13.1-acre site; and
WHEREAS, the proposed Project is consistent with the applicable General Plan designation and all applicable general plan policies, and with the Zoning Ordinance land use regulations; and
WHEREAS, pursuant to the requirements of the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA), an Initial Study (AEIS2022-11) was completed for the Project, which determined that all environmental impacts of the Project would be less than significant with mitigation and a Notice of Intent to Adopt a Mitigated Negative Declaration (State Clearinghouse Number 2023080274) (MND) was prepared and advertised for public review from August 11, 2023, to September 11, 2023; and WHEREAS, the Mitigation Monitoring and Reporting Program prepared for the Project is attached to this Resolution as Exhibit “A” and made a condition of Project approval; and
WHEREAS, the proposed Project is located within Airport Influence Area 1 of the Gillespie Field Airport Land Use Compatibility Plan (ALUCP). On January 18, 2023, the Federal Aviation Administration determined that the Project, as designed, presented no hazard to air navigation, and the Airport Land Use Commission (ALUC) determined that the Project as conditionally consistent with the ALUCP pursuant to the ALUC determination letter dated August 10, 2023; and
WHEREAS, the Project is subject to the payment of development impact fees based on the Project’s commercial use classification and size; and RESOLUTION NO.
2 WHEREAS, development impact fees ensure that new development will not burden the existing service population with the cost of facilities required to adequately support new development; and
WHEREAS, new development requires the construction of capital improvements, including, without limitation, drainage improvements, traffic improvements, traffic signals, public park facilities, community facilities and other public improvements, public services and community amenities; and
WHEREAS, the purpose of the development impact fees imposed on the subject Project is to provide a funding source from the Project to fund related capital improvements that serve the Project, specifically drainage improvements, traffic improvements and traffic signals; and
WHEREAS, it is in the interest of the public’s health, safety and welfare for the Project to pay the costs of constructing these public facilities that are reasonably related to the impacts of the Project; and
WHEREAS, a reasonable relationship exists between the use of the development impact fees and the Project as capital improvements funded by these fees are expected to provide a citywide network of drainage and traffic-related facilities beneficial to the Project; and
WHEREAS, the Project’s facilities need, specifically the need for drainage, traffic and traffic signal facilities, is based on the Project’s commercial classification and on the demand generated by the Project for those facilities and the Project’s corresponding fair share contribution toward funding of said needed facilities; and WHEREAS, the development impact fees established for the Project are based on the Project’s size to ensure a reasonable proportionality between the Project and the cost of the facilities attributable to the Project; and
WHEREAS, the subject Project is not subject to Measure N as the Project is not a General Plan amendment, Planned Development Area, or new Specific Planning Area, nor would it increase the residential density permitted by law, make changes to the General Plan Residential Land Use categories that would intensify use, make changes to the land use designation of any parcel in a manner that intensifies use, nor make changes to slope criteria, minimum parcel sizes, or lot averaging provisions of the General Plan that would permit increased density or intensity of use; and WHEREAS, the Planning & Building Department scheduled Conditional Use Permit P2022-10 for public hearing on October 25, 2023; and WHEREAS, on October 25, 2023, the City Council held a duly advertised public hearing on Conditional Use Permit P2022-10; and
RESOLUTION NO.
3 WHEREAS, the City Council considered the Staff Report, the Mitigated Negative Declaration, all recommendations by staff, public testimony, and all other relevant information contained in the administrative record regarding the Project.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED by the City Council of the City of Santee, California, after considering the evidence presented at the public hearing, as follows:
SECTION 1: The findings in accordance with Section 13.06.030.E of the Santee Municipal Code for a Conditional Use Permit are made as follows:
A. That the proposed use is in accord with the General Plan, the objectives of the zoning ordinance, and the purposes of the district in which the site is located.
The use is in accord with the General Plan, the objectives of the zoning ordinance, and the purposes of the district in which the site is located because the site is designated for General Commercial use in the Santee General Plan which is applied to areas in the City with direct access to major arterials such as Mission Gorge Road.
The proposed automotive services land use is permitted by Conditional Use Permit in accordance with the provisions of Santee Municipal Code Chapter 13.12 which regulates commercial districts. The site will be comprehensively developed to provide services to meet the needs of the community consistent with the intent of General Commercial general plan land use designation and corresponding zoning district.
The proposed auto center groups complimentary auto-oriented uses in one comprehensive development on an appropriately commercially-zoned site.
Surrounding properties are commercially and industrially zoned and, as such, the proposed development would be consistent with planned allowable uses in this area.
The proposal would be also compatible with existing auto-oriented uses along the north side of Mission Gorge Road. The Project location is also suitable for the proposed use as it is along the City’s primary commercial corridor with direct access from Mission Gorge Road, a major arterial in the Mobility Element.
B. That the proposed use, together with the conditions applicable thereto, will not be detrimental to the public health, safety, or welfare, or materially injurious to properties or improvements in the vicinity.
The proposed use, together with the conditions applicable thereto, will not be detrimental to the public health, safety, or welfare, or materially injurious to properties or improvements in the vicinity because:
1. The proposed use will be developing the property with a use that supports the planned development along the Mission Gorge Road commercial corridor; and
2. The proposed development incorporates buffering and remedial measures, such as landscape strips and the erection of six- to eight-foot walls along the perimeter of the site adjoining these residential uses in order to create harmony with adjacent residential uses. The proposed meandering sidewalk with RESOLUTION NO.
4 landscape buffers along Mission Gorge Road will also help enhance the area and provide residents of existing conforming residential development near the site an improved pedestrian experience along this segment of Mission Gorge Road; and
3. Improvements to the property, including landscaping, enhanced streetscapes, and high-quality commercial buildings, will enhance the appearance of the site; and
4. The Project will dedicate the necessary right-of-way along Mission Gorge Road and make improvements to related public infrastructure; and
5. The estimated development impact fee payment is $1,839,751.49. This amount is preliminary and is subject to change based on the actual impact fees in effect at the time of building permit issuance.
C. That the proposed use complies with each of the applicable provisions of the zoning ordinance.
The proposed use complies with each of the applicable provisions of the zoning ordinance including building setbacks, height limitations, and minimum parking standards. All development standards of the applicable zoning code provisions are being met, and all proposed public improvements will meet the City’s public works standards. The proposed auto center groups complimentary auto-oriented uses in one comprehensively designed development. Surrounding properties are commercially and industrially zoned and, as such, the proposed development would be consistent with planned allowable uses in this area. The proposal would be also compatible with existing auto-oriented uses along the north side of Mission Gorge Road. The project location is also suitable for the proposed use as it is along the City’s primary commercial corridor with direct access from Mission Gorge Road, a major arterial in the Mobility Element.
SECTION 2: Conditional Use Permit P2022-10, dated August 14, 2023, to establish an auto center at 10335 Mission Gorge Road, is hereby approved subject to the following conditions:
A. Following Project approval, the applicant shall schedule with the City Project Planner a post approval meeting to discuss the Project conditions of approval, timing of design and construction and implementation of the Project conditions.
The meeting shall be scheduled within thirty days of Project approval and prior to any plan submittals. The applicant should include their Project design team including Project architect, their design engineer, and their landscape architect.
B. The applicant shall include provisions in their design contract with their design consultants that following approval by the City, all construction drawings or technical reports accepted by the City, exclusive of architectural building plans, shall become the property of the City. Once accepted, these plans may be freely RESOLUTION NO.
5 used, copied or distributed by the City to the public or other agencies, as the City may deem appropriate. A letter of acknowledgement of this requirement from each design consultant is required at the time of plan submittal. This letter shall be in a format acceptable to the City Engineer.
C. To coordinate with the City Geographic Information System, horizontal and vertical control for all construction drawings, grading plans, landscape plans, street improvement plans, plot plans, etc., shall be obtained from ROS 11252. All plans, exclusive of building plans, shall be prepared at an engineering scale of 1”=20’ unless otherwise approved by the Project engineer.
D. The applicant shall ensure that all property corners are properly monumented. If corners have been lost or do not exist, corners shall be set and a Record of Survey filed prior to issuance of a building permit.
E. Starting with the first plan check submittal, all plan sets shall be submitted concurrently to Padre Dam Municipal Water District (Padre Dam) for review and approval. The City does not coordinate the review process with Padre Dam, this is the responsibility of the design engineer and the landscape architect. Failure to properly coordinate this review may result in delay of issuance of permits required for construction. It is incumbent upon the applicant to oversee the plan submittals of their design consultants.
F. Minor or Major Revisions to the Conditional Use Permit, such as changes to the building elevations, site design, or landscape design, shall be approved by the Planning & Building Director, unless in the Planning & Building Director’s judgment, a Major Revision should be reviewed by the City Council.
G. The Project shall be in compliance with the adopted California Building Standards Code at the time of building permit application and shall be subject to expirations for plan review per the City of Santee Municipal Code 11.04.030 and 11.06.010.
H. Project site shall be maintained in a clean, orderly condition at all times free of debris and junk material and with well-maintained landscaping.
I. Project lighting shall be stationary, directed away from adjacent properties and shielded so that no light or glare is transmitted or reflected in such concentrated quantities or intensities as to be detrimental to the surrounding area.
J. Proposed signage shall comply with SMC Chapter 13.32 and separate sign permits shall be obtained for proposed signage for the Project.
K. Hours of operation for the auto body shop, auto detail, and carwash shall be between the hours of 7 a.m. and 7 p.m.
RESOLUTION NO.
6 L. Hours of operation for outdoor activities associated with the auto dealerships shall be between the hours of 7 a.m. and 9 p.m.
M. All building permits shall expire per the California Building Code Section 105.
N. Prior to issuance of Building Permit, the Applicant shall:
1. The applicant shall include provisions in their design contract with their design consultants that following approval by the City, all construction drawings or technical reports accepted by the City, exclusive of architectural building plans, shall become the property of the City. Once accepted, these plans may be freely used, copied or distributed by the City to the public or other agencies, as the City may deem appropriate. A letter of acknowledgement of this requirement from each design consultant is required at the time of plan submittal. This letter shall be in a format acceptable to the City Engineer.
2. Applicant shall ensure that all property corners are properly monumented.
If corners have been lost or do not exist, corners shall be set, and a Record of Survey filed prior to issuance of a building permit.
3. Parcel Map - The applicant shall make an electronic submittal via the City of Santee Permitting and Licensing Portal. The items to be submitted include but are not limited to the following:
Please include the following with the first submittal:
a. Parcel Map
b. Current preliminary title report (dated within six months of submittal date) which shows current ownership.
c. All documents listed in the preliminary title report. d. All reference documents used to prepare the parcel map. e. Closure calculations for the map.
f. Resolution of Approval approving the Project.
In addition to the above electronic submittal requirements, one hard copy of the full-sized parcel map shall be provided to the Project engineer. Map check fees shall be paid in accordance with the City Fee Schedule. The amount due will be determined by staff after the initial intake. To begin the review process, fees must be paid in full.
The signature submittal of the parcel map mylars shall be by appointment only. Contact the Project engineer to schedule a time for this final submittal.
Please include the following:
RESOLUTION NO.
7 a. A copy of the map in Autocad format for incorporation into the City GIS data base.
b. Mylars of the map with all required signatures and notaries obtained including Padre Dam Municipal Water District if they are to sign the map. c. Copies of all certified return receipts for all signature omission letters. d. Subdivision Guarantee.
4. Street Improvement Plans shall be submitted to the Engineering Department for review and acceptance. Prior to the start of construction of any improvements, public or private, within the limits of the public right-ofway, the applicant shall have plans accepted, agreements executed, securities posted and an encroachment permit issued. All improvements shall be installed in accordance with City standards and at the applicant's cost unless otherwise indicated. The following improvements are conditioned as part of this development:
a. Construct commercial driveways a minimum width of 30 feet on Cottonwood Avenue and Mission Gorge Road per City of Santee Standards. The driveway design shall be per the City of Santee Public Works Standard Drawing PW-21 and to the satisfaction of the City Engineer.
b. Widen Mission Gorge Road to major road standards (82’ curb to curb/102’ right-of-way). Show curb, gutter, sidewalks, street lighting, fire hydrants, and pedestrian ramps at curbs.
c. Modify the traffic signal at Mission Gorge Road and Edgemoor Drive to accommodate the driveway and the fourth leg at the intersection. The driveway shall be a minimum width of 40’ with 30’ corner radius. The improvement plans shall include a separate plan sheet for the signal modification.
d. Construct full intersection improvements at the proposed northeast driveway location, that shall be aligned and consistent with the existing improvements at the north side of Edgemoor Drive and Mission Gorge Road.
e. Widen Cottonwood Avenue to collector street standards (64’ curb to curb/84’ right-of-way). Show curb, gutter, sidewalks, street lighting, fire hydrants and pedestrian ramps at curbs. Install two 82-watt LED streetlights on Cottonwood Ave at approximately 140’ south of Mission Gorge Road for one, and a second light approximately 360’ south of Mission Gorge Road.
RESOLUTION NO.
8 f. Construct Cottonwood Avenue along the property frontage to Green Street and Hydromodification standards as per the SWQMP exhibit dated April 21, 2023. The design shall be modified as necessary to accommodate the spacing requirements of the water and sewer agency and/or as directed by the City of Santee Engineering Department. g. Modify the existing traffic signal at Mission Gorge Road and Cottonwood Avenue to accommodate the widening of Cottonwood Avenue, and install protected left turn phases for north and south bound (traffic mitigation). The improvement plans shall include a separate plan sheet for the signal modification.
h. Widen Railroad Avenue to local street standards (36’ curb to curb/60’ right-of-way). Show curb, gutter, sidewalks, street lighting, fire hydrants, and pedestrian ramps at curbs.
i. Provide drainage improvements in accordance with the City of Santee Master Drainage Study, Project 3.1A. Remove and replace 18-inch CSP with 470 LF of 36-inch RCP along the west side of Cottonwood Avenue. j. Remove and replace 28 x 20-inch CMP at Mission Gorge intersection with 40 LF of 48-inch RCP.
k. Provide a connection with the proposed 36-inch pipe to the existing 18- inch located approximately 50 feet south of the Project site on the west side of Cottonwood Avenue. The addition and/or replacement of two (2) cleanouts and one (1) inlet is anticipated. Off-site improvements that meet the requirements of a deficient master drainage study may be eligible for fee credit reimbursement up to the developer drainage impact fee amount due. Reimbursements shall be in accordance with City legislative policy memorandum, LPM 93-1.
l. Provide drainage improvements in accordance with the City of Santee Master Drainage Study, Project 3.1B. Add 40 LF of new 36-inch RCP to meet the above conditioned 36-inch pipe to be installed along the west side of Cottonwood Avenue.
m. Remove and replace lateral 28 x 20-inch CMP at Mission Gorge intersection with 50 LF of 42-inch RCP. The addition and/or replacement of two (2) inlets is anticipated.
n. Street Improvement plans shall be one hundred percent (100%) complete at the time of plan check submittal, be prepared in accordance with City guidelines and the requirements set forth herein, and be ready for acceptance by the City. Partial or incomplete submittals will not be accepted for plan check. The applicant shall make an electronic RESOLUTION NO.
9 submittal via the City of Santee Permitting and Licensing Portal. The items to be submitted include but are not limited to the following:
1) 100% complete improvement plans.
2) Estimate for the cost of construction.
3) Resolution of Approval approving the Project.
In addition to the above electronic submittal requirements, one hard copy of the full-sized improvement plans shall be provided to the City’s Project Engineer. Plan check and inspection fees shall be paid in accordance with the City Fee Schedule. The amount due will be determined by staff after the initial intake. To begin the review process, fees must be paid in full.
5. Precise Grading Plans shall be submitted to the Engineering Department for review and acceptance.
a. Horizontal and vertical control for all plans shall be obtained from ROS 11252 and shall be prepared at an engineering scale of 1”=20’ unless otherwise approved by the City Project engineer.
b. Project landscape and irrigation plans shall be included as a part of the grading plan set.
c. The grading plans shall reflect the exploratory excavations, and subsequent backfilling, re-compaction, or otherwise restored condition, performed under the direction of an engineering geologist as documented in the geotechnical report dated March 9, 2022. d. All recommended measures identified in the approved geotechnical study shall be incorporated into the Project design and construction. e. All retaining wall footings shall have a minimum of seven (7’) feet to daylight. Modification of any kind to the San Diego Regional Standard Drawings, such as the installation of a freestanding masonry wall, will require calculations prepared by a licensed civil engineer showing the factor of safety for bearing, sliding, and overturning. Freestanding masonry walls greater than six (6) feet in height shall require a separate building permit.
f. The applicant shall demonstrate the ability to install improvements over the existing utility easements as proposed. Existing services that may exist on the Project site without the benefit of an easement shall be relocated as necessary at the developer’s expense, or an easement shall be granted over said existing services. Easement and or relocation shall be to the satisfaction of the utility provider.
RESOLUTION NO.
10 g. The applicant shall add a note to the plans, preferrable on Section G-G, that the on-site proposed gravel area between the screen wall and up to the property line along Happy Lane will be maintained by the Project site. The section shall reflect the existing utility poles and proposed disposition of the existing overhead wires.
h. Pad elevations of the proposed and all existing structures within 100 feet of the property boundary shall be shown on the grading plans. i. Maintenance steps/access shall be provided in all water quality basin areas where the finished surface of the 3” mulch/cobble layer is 3 feet lower than the adjoining level finished surface. The overflow of all basins shall be demonstrated to occur to an area that is a hardened conveyance.
j. On-site detention shall be provided for all runoff to account for increase in runoff generated by the addition of impermeable area. This storage shall include capacity for the event in which the basins or drainage system becomes incapacitated during a 100-year rain event, i.e., demonstrate the sizing required to contain on-site the Post Project (UnMitigated) Q100 of 50.5 cfs. Note, the existing downstream drainage system located in Mission Gorge Road is identified as being deficient. k. Grading plans shall include preliminary recommendations for all pavement design sections within the Project limits. The pavement structural section shall be designed based on the "R" value method using a minimum traffic index of 5.0 for parking stalls for automobiles and light-duty vehicles, 5.5 for driveways for automobiles and light duty vehicles, 6.0 for medium truck traffic areas, 7.0 for driveways for heavy truck and fire truck traffic. Structural sections shall consist of asphalt concrete over approved aggregate base material. Minimum concrete section shall be 6 to 7-1/2 inches PCC over compacted, non-expansive soil. Thickness based upon on traffic category and trucks per day and per the geotechnical engineer of record recommendations. Mix design shall be a minimum class 520-C-2500. R-value test data and design calculations shall be submitted for approval to the Engineering Department a minimum of seven days prior to placement of paving. The pavement design report shall conform to City of Santee Form 435 –
PAVEMENT DESIGN AND R-VALUE TEST SUBMITTAL
PROCEDURES.
l. Grading plans shall be one hundred percent (100%) complete at the time of plan check submittal, be prepared in accordance with City guidelines and be ready for acceptance by the City. Partial or incomplete submittals will not be accepted for plan check. The applicant shall make an electronic submittal via the City of Santee Permitting and Licensing RESOLUTION NO.
11 Portal. The items to be submitted include but are not limited to the following:
1) 100% complete grading, landscape, and irrigation plans. 2) A completed grading permit application.
3) Estimate for the cost of construction.
4) Drainage Study specified here within.
5) Storm Water Quality Management Plan specified here within. 6) Operation & Maintenance (O&M) plan specified here within. 7) Storm Water Pollution Prevention Plan specified here within. 8) Geotechnical Study specified here within.
9) Letters of permission from any adjoining property owners if grading is proposed off-site. Letters shall be in a form acceptable to the City.
10) Letters of acknowledgement signed and sealed, from each design consultant acknowledging City ownership of all
construction drawings following City approval as specified here within.
11) Resolution of Approval approving the Project.
In addition to the above electronic submittal requirements, one hard copy of the above-mentioned full-sized plans, documents and reports shall be provided to the Project engineer. Plan check and inspection fees shall be paid in accordance with the City Fee Schedule. The amount due will be determined by staff after the initial intake. To begin the review process, fees must be paid in full.
6. Provide a geotechnical study prepared in accordance with the Santee General Plan. The investigation will be subject to independent third party review to be paid for by the applicant. The applicant shall place a deposit with the Engineering Department in an amount satisfactory to the City Engineer to cover the cost of the review. All recommended measures identified in the approved study shall be incorporated into the Project design. The Geotechnical/Seismic Hazard Study for the Safety Element of the Santee General Plan which details, in Table A-1, study criteria necessary to conform to the General Plan requirements, can be accessed from the City’s website.
a. The geotechnical report shall analyze any proposed infiltration techniques (trenches, basins, dry wells, permeable pavements with underground reservoir for infiltration) for any potential adverse geotechnical concerns. Geotechnical conditions such as: slope stability, expansive soils, compressible soils, seepage, groundwater depth, and loss of foundation or pavement subgrade strength should be addressed, and mitigation measures provided.
RESOLUTION NO.
12 7. Applicant consents to annexation of the property under development to the Santee Roadway Lighting District and agrees to waive any public notice and hearing of the transfer. Applicant shall pay the necessary annexation costs and upon installation of any streetlights required for the development, pay the necessary street light energizing and temporary operating costs.
8. Replace failed or inadequate pavement to the centerline and/or sidewalk adjacent to the site on Cottonwood Avenue, Mission Gorge Road, and Railroad Avenue to the satisfaction of the City Engineer.
9. Applicant shall pay all development impact fees in effect at the time of issuance of building permits. At present, the fees are estimated to be as follows:
a. Drainage . . . . . . . . . $ 746,276.37 (estimated)
calculated based on $ 1,452 / 1000 square feet of increased impermeable area.
b. Traffic . . . . . . . . . . . $ 941,595.50
calculated based on a fee rate of $ 9,721 / 1000 square feet of building area.
c. Traffic Signal . . . . . . $ 151,879.62
calculated based on a fee rate of $ 1,568 / 1000 square feet of building area.
Impact fee amounts shall be calculated in accordance with the City Fee Schedule and based on current fee ordinances in effect at issuance of building permit. The drainage fee shall be calculated based on the actual impermeable area created by the Project including off-site street improvements or other improvements beyond the Project boundary. The applicant shall provide certification of final site and building areas by their engineer of work to be approved by the City Engineer for use in calculating the final fee amounts. Fees shall be adjusted on an annual basis in accordance with the Municipal Code.
10. Following issuance of a grading permit the applicant shall complete rough grading in accordance with the approved grading plans and the recommendations of the Project’s geotechnical engineer. Following completion of the rough grading and prior to issuance of any building permits, provide three originals of the pad compaction certification from the geotechnical engineer and three originals of the pad elevation certification from the Project civil engineer to the City Project engineer.
11. Provide a drainage study prepared by a registered Civil Engineer, with demonstrated expertise in drainage analysis and experience in fluvial RESOLUTION NO.
13 geomorphology and water resources management. Storm drainage shall be designed to adequately convey storm water runoff without damage or flooding of surrounding properties or degradation of water quality. a. The drainage study shall identify and calculate storm water runoff quantities expected from the site and upstream of the site and verify the adequacy of all on-site or off-site facilities necessary to discharge this runoff. The drainage system design shall be capable of collecting and conveying all surface water originating within the site, and surface water that may flow onto the site from upstream lands, and shall be in accordance with the latest adopted Master Drainage Plan, the requirements of the City of Santee Public Works Standards, including analysis of the 10-year, 50-year and 100-year frequency storms, and be based on full development of upstream areas.
b. The drainage study shall compute rainfall runoff characteristics from the Project area including, at a minimum, peak flow rate, flow velocity, runoff volume, time of concentration, and retention volume. These characteristics shall be developed for the 10-year, 50-year and 100-year frequency six-hour storm during critical hydrologic conditions for soil and vegetative cover. Storm events shall be developed using isopluvial maps and in accordance with the San Diego County Hydrology Manual. c. The report shall demonstrate the drainage path to the San Diego River.
Note, the existing system, specifically the Las Colinas Channel, has not been demonstrated as a hardened conveyance or a suitable outfall, and hydromodification on site is required by this Project.
d. The report shall include sizing of all existing and proposed inlets both on-site and off-site.
12. Provide a Storm Water Quality Management Plan (SWQMP) prepared and in accordance with the City of Santee Storm Water Ordinance and in accordance with the City of Santee Best Management Practices (BMP) Design Manual dated February 2016. The SWQMP must include best management practices (BMPs) to address water quality and hydromodification. An Operation and Maintenance Plan describing maintenance requirements and costs for BMP maintenance and provision of maintenance verification will be provided.
The SWQMP shall include the following:
a. Develop and implement appropriate Best Management Practices (BMPs) to ensure that the Project does not increase pollutant loads from the site. A combination of respective storm water BMPs, including Site RESOLUTION NO.
14 Design, Source Control, and Structural Treatment Control shall be implemented in accordance with the approved SWQMP.
b. The Project design shall incorporate Low Impact Development (LID) and site design BMPs to minimize directly connected impervious areas and to promote infiltration using LID techniques as outlined in the County of San Diego’s LID handbook. Parking areas and drive aisles shall be designed to drain to landscape areas.
c. The site shall comply with full trash capture requirements by providing completely enclosed trash and recycling enclosures, and fitting all storm drain inlets with a State certified grate/screen or trash rack. Said devices must be designed to capture debris of 5 mm or greater, while preventing flooding potential. In addition, any adjacent public storm drain inlet structure to which the site discharges must also be retrofitted with trash capture devices. The device which shall be used for public inlets is the ADS FlexStorm Connector Pipe Screen system or approved equal. d. All inlets must be labeled with concrete stamp or equivalent - stating, "No Dumping - Drains to River". If work is performed on a public inlet, the public inlet must be labeled with the following standard specification:
Public storm drain inlet markers shall be 4” diameter, stainless steel, natural embossed, inlet marker as manufactured by Almetek Industries or approved equal. Marker shall contain/state “No Dumping” with “Fish w/ Wave” symbol and “Drains to Waterways” legend. Marker shall contain 2” long x 1/4” diameter threaded rod and shall be installed flush and wet-set in top of inlet, centered on width of inlet opening. e. Down spouts and HVAC systems are not permitted to be connected to any storm drain conveyance system. All non-storm water discharges must either drain to landscaped areas, or be plumbed to the sewer. f. Fire suppression systems must be designed to be able to discharge to a sewer clean out for all maintenance and testing activities, or otherwise captured and contained on-site.
g. California native/drought-tolerant plants shall be used to the maximum extent feasible to minimize the need for irrigation. Where irrigation is necessary, then the system shall be designed and installed to prevent overspray or irrigation runoff during normal operations and during a break in the line.
h. Provide a narrative in the source control section regarding the types of material to be stored outdoors and how materials shall be covered and/or protected from the outside elements and be stored above the finished grade to prevent contact with the storm water runoff.
RESOLUTION NO.
15 i. The final Project submittal shall include a standalone Operation and Maintenance (O&M) Plan in accordance with the City of Santee BMP Design Manual.
13. Minimum best management practices for storm water and water quality will be incorporated into the Project’s Storm Water Quality Management Plan (SWQMP).
14. Construction Site Storm Water Compliance
a. Provide proof of coverage under the General Permit for Discharges of Storm Water Associated with Construction Activity (Construction General Permit, WQ 2022-0057-DWQ) prior to start of construction. This Project disturbs one or more acres of soil or disturbs less than one acre but is part of a larger common plan of development that in total disturbs one or more acres. Construction activity subject to this permit includes clearing, grading, and disturbances to the ground such as stockpiling, or excavation.
Submit a copy of the draft Project specific Storm Water Pollution Prevention Plan (SWPPP) to the City for review and approval. The Construction SWPPP should contain a site map(s) which shows the construction site perimeter, existing and proposed buildings, lots, roadways, storm water collection and discharge points, general topography both before and after construction, and drainage patterns across the Project. The Construction SWPPP must list Best Management Practices (BMP’s) the applicant will use to protect storm water runoff and the placement of those BMP’s. Section XIV of the Construction General Permit describes the SWPPP requirements.
15. Provide landscape and irrigation plans and a corresponding landscape bond to the Planning & Building Department in accordance with SMC Chapter 13.36.
16. Provide proof of upgrading west-facing windows on adjoining apartment building at 8866 Donna Jean Lane for sound attenuation or evidence of rejection of offer to upgrade windows by property owner.
O. Prior to final occupancy, the Applicant shall:
1. Provide two print copies and a digital copy of both the final approved Storm Water Quality Management Plan and the Operation and Maintenance Plan. a. Submit a print and digital copy of the BMP Certification package. The BMP certification package includes but is not limited to: ‘wet’ signed and RESOLUTION NO.
16 stamped certification form(s), all BMP related product receipts and materials delivery receipts, an inspection and installation log sheet, and photographs to document each stage of BMP installation. b. Prior to issuance of occupancy, an executed contract must be in place with a qualified storm water service provider and a copy of the SWQMP provided to the consultant and the property manager.
2. A Storm Water Facilities Maintenance Agreement accepting responsibility for all structural BMP maintenance, repair and replacement as outlined in said O&M plan binding on the land throughout the life of the Project will be required prior to issuance of building permit.
3. The applicant shall comply at all times with the following work hour requirements:
a. No site work, building construction, or related activities, including equipment mobilization will be permitted to start on the Project prior to 7:00 am and all work for the day shall be completed by 7:00 pm, no exceptions.
b. No work is permitted on Sundays or City Holidays.
c. No deliveries, including equipment drop off and pick-up, shall be made to the Project except between the hours of 8:00 am and 6:00 pm, Monday through Saturday, excluding Sundays and City Holidays.
Deliveries of emergency supplies or equipment necessary to secure the site or protect the public are permitted.
d. If the applicant fails or is unable to enforce compliance with their contractors, subcontractors and material suppliers regarding the specified work hours, additional reduction of work hours may be imposed by the Engineering Department.
In addition to the above the applicant shall erect one or more signs stating the work hour restrictions. Signs shall be installed as may be required, in the vicinity of the Project construction trailer if a job site trailer is used, or at such other locations as may be deemed appropriate by the Engineering Department. The sign shall be a minimum of 24” x 36” and shall be weather proofed. The sign content shall be provided by the Engineering Department.
4. Trench work when required within City streets shall be completed within two weeks of the initial start date, including placement of the final trench patch. Trench plates or temporary pavement placement shall be installed at the end of each work day. Advance warning signs on lighted barricades notifying the public of trench plates and or uneven pavement shall be placed and maintained until permanent pavement repairs are made. The RESOLUTION NO.
17 maximum length of time including weekends and holidays that trench plates may remain on the street is 72 hours after which temporary or permanent asphalt paving shall be placed.
5. Vehicle access on Mission Gorge Road, Cuyamaca Street, Olive Lane, Town Center Parkway, Carlton Hills Boulevard, Woodside Avenue, and Riverview Parkway shall be maintained at all times and all work shall be done at night unless otherwise approved by the City Engineer. When day work is permitted, work hours shall be from 8:30 am to 3:30 pm, including set up and break down of traffic control. No day work will be permitted during the holiday season, defined as beginning the Saturday before Thanksgiving Day and shall extend through New Year’s Day, unless otherwise approved by the City Engineer.
6. Comply with all applicable sections of the Municipal Code, Land Development Manual and Public Works Standards of the City of Santee.
7. Applicant shall place all new utilities required to serve the Project underground. No overhead facilities or extension of overhead facilities is permitted.
In addition, the applicant shall underground any existing overhead facilities on-site and underground any overhead facilities adjacent to the Project to the satisfaction of the City Engineer. Adjacent facilities are defined as existing overhead facilities in the abutting half street and may include extension of the undergrounding to either side of the Project to the nearest existing utility pole.
8. Applicant shall obtain parcel map approval and record the parcel map. Once recorded, the applicant shall within thirty days of recordation, provide one mylar copy, digital copies, and two sets of prints of the map to the City for their permanent records. The prints shall be bound and stapled. The prints and mylar shall be in accordance with City standards in effect at the time of recordation.
9. Applicant shall dedicate right-of-way along Cottonwood Avenue adjacent to the site such that the ultimate right-of-way width to centerline is 42 feet.
Additional right-of-way may be required as necessary to provide adequate transition to match existing improvements.
10. Applicant shall dedicate right-of-way along Mission Gorge Road adjacent to the site such that the ultimate right-of-way width to centerline is 51 feet.
Additional right-of-way may be required as necessary to provide adequate transition to match existing improvements.
RESOLUTION NO.
18 11. Applicant shall dedicate right-of-way along Railroad Avenue adjacent to the site such that the ultimate right-of-way width to centerline is 30 feet.
Additional right-of-way may be required as necessary to provide adequate transition to match existing improvements.
12. Applicant shall dedicate a visibility clear space easement at the south east corner of the intersection of Cottonwood Avenue and Mission Gorge Road.
13. Applicant shall dedicate a visibility clear space easements at the proposed driveway at the intersection of Edgemoor Drive and Mission Gorge Road.
14. Plant all new trees in and within 10 feet of the public right-of-way with root control barriers.
15. Construct all improvements within the public right-of-way and improvements as shown on the approved precise grading plans. Improvements shall be completed to the satisfaction of the City Engineer.
16. Provide a minimum 26’ wide, paved “fire lane” access roadway through the Project site. The fire lane width shall be measured curb to curb (or edge of pavement to edge of pavement) and shall extend vertically from grade to the highest point of any structures or obstacles constructed adjacent to the fire lane. No building elements, balconies, drains, projections, or any other object shall encroach into this clear space. The fire lane(s) shall be identified by painting curbs red with white-stenciled letters indicating “NO PARKING – FIRE LANE” every 30 feet along all portions of the fire lane.
Red stripes with white stenciled letters shall be painted on the curb or asphalt in front of garages along fire lanes as well. Or, signs shall be installed on the edge of the curb indicating the same. Placement of the signs shall be every 75 feet (or other approved spacing), placed in between the curb stenciling. Exact placement shall be approved by the fire code official prior to installation. No building projections are allowed within this fire lane area. Include all turning radius for fire department access on site plan. Note: Tiller truck is approximately 60’ in length.
17. One or more fire hydrants are required for your Project. These hydrants shall have two, 2 1/2" ports and one, 4" port, with a minimum fire flow of 3000 gallons per minute for 3 hours. Hydrants shall be of all bronze construction, painted “fire hydrant yellow” and be installed per Padre Dam Water District requirements. Exact location of required hydrants is to be determined by the fire code official prior to installation. All underground utilities including fire mains, fire hydrants and fire service underground devices shall be installed and approved prior to the delivery of construction materials. Show location of existing and proposed hydrants.
RESOLUTION NO.
19 18. A Fire sprinkler monitoring system is required for the buildings to send a signal to a central station monitoring company upon waterflow activation of the fire sprinkler systems. Separate plans shall be submitted to the Fire Department for any fire alarm system(s) or devices for approval prior to installation. The fire sprinkler monitoring system shall be located in the “Fire Riser Room”. Plans & documentations for this system shall include, manufacturer cut sheets for all fire alarm devices, California State Fire Marshal Listing sheets for all appropriate devices, plans showing locations of all devices, line diagram & point to point diagram of the alarm system and complete battery & voltage drop calculations for the system.
19. Address numbers shall be placed near the roofline of all structures visible from the street or access roadway. Numbers shall be block style, 12” in height, black in color (or other approved color), in contrast with their background. Address numbers shall also be illuminated for nighttime visibility. A Potter, “SASH-120” Horn/Strobe (or equivalent) shall be located below each address placement for indication of fire sprinkler activation.
Exact location and color of address numbers shall be approved by the fire code official prior to installation.
20. The building is required to be constructed with an approved automatic fire sprinkler system installed by a licensed fire sprinkler contractor. Separate plans are required to be submitted to the Fire Department for approval prior to installation. If the fire sprinkler system has 20 or more sprinkler heads, the sprinkler system is required to be monitored by an approved central station monitoring company. Contact the Fire Department for specific requirements for the automatic fire sprinkler system. A Potter, “SASH-120” Horn/Strobe (or equivalent) shall be located below each address placement for indication of fire sprinkler activation.
21. Provide an all-weather, exterior horn/strobe (or equivalent) in lieu of exterior bell for audio/visual notification of sprinkler activation. The horn/strobe is to be installed near the address placement for the building. Exact installation location of the horn/strobe is to be determined by the fire code official prior to installation.
22. A separate plan for the underground fire service (providing water supply to the fire sprinkler system) is required to be submitted to the Fire Department for approval prior to construction. Thrust block inspections are required for the underground fire service piping prior to filling with water. An underground hydrostatic test shall be conducted (at 250 psi for two hours) and a flush of the underground fire service is required. The test and flush are required to be inspected and approved prior to acceptance of the underground fire service. Contact the Santee Fire Department at least 48 hours in advance to schedule the inspections.
RESOLUTION NO.
20 23. Each building or address (equipped with an automatic fire sprinkler system) shall have a walk-in, enclosed, fire sprinkler riser room accessible from the outside of the building or address. The exact size and location of the riser room shall be approved by the Fire Department prior to construction. This room shall contain the fire sprinkler riser(s) for the building/address, pressure gauges for the system, applicable valves, sprinkler head box, “test and drain” inspectors test valve and any diagrams or documentation for the fire protection systems. These rooms shall have exterior locking hardware and a Knox box shall be located at an approved location near the room for easy Fire Department access. The room shall be provided with lighting on the emergency circuit or have battery backup power. The exterior side of the riser room door shall have labeling or signage approved by the fire code official indicating "FIRE RISER ROOM".
24. This device that supplies water to the automatic fire sprinkler system shall be placed in an approved location within 50’ of a fire hydrant. The device shall be installed per San Diego County Regional Standard WF-05. The finished height of the Fire Department Connection (FDC) shall be no higher than 48" from grade. The entire device may be painted dark green or brown to blend in with adjacent landscaping. The Fire Department Connection (FDC) shall be painted red. The Fire Department Connection (FDC) once installed, shall be "pinned" in place for theft protection. The (RPDA) device shall be stenciled with 2” white numbers indicating the address served.
The assembly shall be equipped with a chain and breakaway locks for security. Location of these devices shall be approved prior to installation.
If the building is equipped with central station monitoring of the sprinkler system, the control valves on the device shall be monitored for tamper of the valves.
25. A Knox Box key safe for emergency access of Fire Department personnel is required for the building. Knox Boxes shall be installed at the front entrance, riser room and other required location(s). Knox Box applications may be obtained from the Fire Department. Approval of the number and exact mounting location shall be determined by the fire code official prior to installation.
26. Santee has adopted the use of Knox Fire Department Connection (FDC) Plugs for FDC hose connections to the automatic fire sprinkler systems.
These plugs ensure that the FDC’s will be clear of obstructions and allow for the proper Fire Department use of automatic fire sprinkler systems. Knox Plugs can be ordered online directly from the Knox Company at Knoxbox.com. Order FDC Plugs for use in the City of Santee. Order model #3043 (two per building if using Siamese connection). Contact Santee Fire Department if assistance is needed in ordering.
RESOLUTION NO.
21 27. A manual and/or automatic fire alarm system is required for the building.
Separate plans shall be submitted to the Fire Department for any fire alarm system(s) or devices for approval prior to installation. The fire alarm control panel or a remote keypad for the system shall be located in the “Fire Riser Room”. Plans & documentations for the fire alarm system shall include, manufacturer cut sheets for all fire alarm devices, California State Fire Marshal Listing sheets for all appropriate devices, plans showing locations of all devices, line diagram & point to point diagram of the alarm system and complete battery & voltage drop calculations for the system.
28. A minimum of one, 2A10BC fire extinguisher shall be located every 75’ of travel distance throughout the building. Exact extinguisher location to be determined by the fire code official prior to installation.
29. Provide NFPA 704 signage for labeling of hazardous materials use, handling or storage. Exact location of signage to be approved by the fire code official prior to installation.
30. At the time of mid-construction, or Rough Fire Inspections, a GIS shape file or geo-referenced TIFF file of the site-plan shall be provided electronically or on digital media to the Fire Department for emergency response mapping. If neither of the two are available, a PDF shall be provided. The site plan shall show all fire access roadways/driveways, buildings, address numbers, fire hydrants, fire sprinkler connections, and other details as required. Please contact the Fire Department for exact details to be submitted for your Project.
SECTION 3: The applicant shall defend, indemnify, and hold harmless the City of Santee and its officers, employees, and agents from any claim, action, or proceeding against the City and/or its officers, employees or agents to attack or set aside, void, or annul the approval of the City of Santee concerning this Conditional Use Permit, or any action relating to or arising out of its approval.
SECTION 4: The terms and conditions of Conditional Use Permit P2022-10 shall be binding upon the permittee and all persons, firms, and corporations having an interest in the property subject to this Conditional Use Permit and the heirs, executors, administrators, successors and assigns of each of them, including municipal corporations, public agencies and districts.
SECTION 5: The approval of Conditional Use Permit P2022-10 expires on October 25, 2026 at 5:00 p.m. except where substantial use has commenced prior to its expiration. If use of the development has not commenced within the three-year period, said expiration date may be extended pursuant to a request for time extension received 60 days prior to the original expiration date. The City Council expressly grants to the Planning & Building Director the authority to extend the expiration date of this approval pursuant to Section
13.04.090 of the Santee Municipal Code, when a request for an extension is filed 60 days RESOLUTION NO.
22 prior to the original expiration date.
SECTION 6: Pursuant to Government Code Section 66020, the 90-day approval period in which the applicant may protest the imposition of any fees, dedications, reservations, or exactions imposed pursuant to this approval, shall begin on October 25, 2023.
SECTION 7: The applicant shall defend, indemnify, and hold harmless the City of Santee and its officers, employees and agents from any claim, action, or proceeding against the City and/or its officers, employees or agents to attack or set aside, void, or annul the approval of the City of Santee concerning this Resolution or any action relating to or arising out of its approval.
SECTION 8: Pursuant to Fish and Game Code Section 711.4(c), all Project applicants and public agencies subject to the California Environmental Quality Act shall pay a filing fee for each proposed Project, as specified in subdivision 711.4(d) for any adverse effect on wildlife resources or the habitat upon which wildlife depends unless a “no effect” finding is made by the California Department of Fish and Wildlife. This fee is due and payable as a condition precedent to the County Clerk’s filing of a Notice of Determination. The City of Santee hereby notifies the Applicant that in order to comply with State Law, the Applicant shall remit to the City of Santee Department of Development Services, within two (2) working days of the effective date (as defined in Section 8 below) of this approval, a certified check payable to the "County Clerk, County of San Diego" in the amount of $2,814.00. This fee includes an authorized County administrative fee of $50. Failure to remit the required fee in full within the time specified above will result in notification to the State that a fee was required but not paid, and could result in State imposed penalties and recovery under the provisions of the Revenue and Taxation Code. In addition, Section 21089 (b) of the Public Resources Code, and Section 711.4 (c) of the Fish and Game Code, provide that no Project shall be operative, vested, or final until the required filing fee is paid.
SECTION 9: The documents and materials that constitute the record of proceedings on which these findings have been based are located with the City Clerk at the City of Santee City Clerk’s office at 10601 Magnolia Avenue, Building #3, Santee, CA 92071.
ADOPTED by the City Council of the City of Santee, California, at a Regular Meeting thereof held this 25th day of October 2023, by the following roll call vote to wit:
AYES:
NOES:
ABSENT:
RESOLUTION NO.
23 APPROVED:
JOHN W. MINTO, MAYOR
ATTEST:
ANNETTE ORTIZ, CMC, CITY CLERK