HomeMy WebLinkAboutReso 53-13 Econ Dev Element Revised RESOLUTION NO. 53 - 13
A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL
OF THE CITY OF DUBLIN
ADOPTING A NEGATIVE DECLARATION FOR A GENERAL PLAN AMENDMENT FOR THE
REVISED GENERAL PLAN AND NEW ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT ELEMENT
PLPA-2011-00050
WHEREAS, one of the City Council's key initiatives for Fiscal Year 2011/2012 was to
update the General Plan and create a new Economic Development Element (the "Project"); and
WHEREAS, in accordance with the California Environmental Quality Act certain projects
are required to be reviewed for environmental impacts and when applicable, environmental
documents prepared; and
WHEREAS, an Initial Study was prepared for the Project; and
WHEREAS, upon completion of the Initial Study it was determined that there was no
substantial evidence that the Project would have a significant adverse effect on the environment
and a Negative Declaration should be prepared; and
WHEREAS, an Initial Study/Negative Declaration ("Negative Declaration") attached as
Exhibit A and incorporated herein by reference was prepared and circulated for public review
from February 15, 2013 to March 18, 2013; and
WHEREAS, the City of Dublin did not receive any comments during the public review
period; and
WHEREAS, on March 26, 2013 the Planning Commission held a properly noticed public
hearing on the Project at which time all interested parties had the opportunity to be heard, and
adopted Resolution 13-09 (incorporated herein by reference) recommending that the City
Council adopt a Negative Declaration; and
WHEREAS, the City Council held a properly noticed public hearing on the Project on
April 16, 2013 at which time all interested parties had the opportunity to be heard; and
WHEREAS, a Staff Report (incorporated herein by reference) was submitted
recommending that the City Council adopt the Negative Declaration and approve the Project;
and
WHEREAS, the City Council did review and consider the Negative Declaration, all said
reports, recommendations and testimony herein above set forth prior to taking action on the
Project; and
Page 1 of 2
WHEREAS, the Negative Declaration and related project and environmental documents,
and all of the documents incorporated herein by reference, are available for review in the City
Planning Division a Dublin City Hall, file PLPA-2011-00050 during normal business hours. The
location and custodian of the draft Negative Declaration and other documents that constitute the
record of proceedings for the Project is the City of Dublin Community Development Department,
100 Civic Plaza, Dublin, CA, 94568, file PLPA-2011-00050.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the foregoing recitals are true and correct
and made a part of this Resolution.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED as follows:
A. The Dublin City Council has reviewed and considered the draft Negative Declaration,
prior to acting on the Project.
B. The Negative Declaration adequately describes the environmental impacts of the
Project. On the basis of the whole record before it, the City Council finds that there is
no substantial evidence that the Project will have a significant effect on the
environment.
C. The Negative Declaration has been completed in compliance with CEQA, the CEQA
Guidelines and the City of Dublin Environmental Guidelines.
D. The Negative Declaration is complete and adequate and reflects the City's
independent judgment and analysis as to the environmental effects of the Project.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that based on the above findings, the City Council adopts
the Negative Declaration for PLPA-2011-00050, consisting of the Initial Study/Negative
Declaration attached as Exhibit A and incorporated herein by reference.
PASSED, APPROVED AND ADOPTED this 16th day of April 2013, by the following vote:
AYES: Councilmembers Biddle, Gupta, Hart, Haubert, and Mayor Sbranti
NOES: None
ABSENT: None
ABSTAIN: None
aZej
Mayor
ATTEST:
avvfil fiCt
City Clerk
Reso No. 53-13,Adopted 4-16-13, Item 6.1 Page 2 of 2
Dublin General Plan Update
PLPA-2011-00050
INITIAL STTI DYI
Lead Agency:
City of Dublin
Prepared By:
Jerry Haag, Urban Planner
February 2013
Table of Contents
Introduction................. <,..................,...............,.,............................. ..............................2
Contact Person & Sponsor .............................................. ............................... ..........2
ProjectLocation and Context ........................................................ ..............................2
ProjectDescription .......................................................................... ..............................3
Environmental Factors Potentially Affected ............ ............................... .......13
Determination.............................................. ............................... .. .............................13
Evaluation of Environmental Impacts .......................................... .............................15
EarlierAnalyses ................................................................................ ........... .................16
Discussionof Checklist ................................................... ............................... .......27
1. Aesthetics ............................................... ............................... ....,....27
2. Agricultural Resources ....................... ...............................
...................29
3. Air Quality/ Greenhouse Gas Analysis .............................. ....30
4. Biological Resources ................................................ .............................31
5. Cultural Resources ................................................... .............................32
6. Geology and Soils ............................. ............................... ................32
7. Greenhouse Gas Emissions ..................................... .............................34
8. Hazards and Hazardous Materials ....................... .............................34
9. Hydrology and Water Quality ............................... .............................36
10. Land Use and Planning ........................................... .............................38
11. Mineral Resources ................................................... .............................38
12. Noise .......................................................................... .............................38
13. Population and Housing ......................................... .............................40
14. Public Services ......................................................... .............................40
15. Recreation ....................................... ............................... .......41
16. Transportation/ Traffic ............................................ .............................42
17. Utilities and Service Systems, ..................... . ........................
18. Mandatory Findings of Significance ..... ............................... ..... 45
InitialStudy Preparers ................................................................... .............................46
Agencies and Organizations Consulted ........ ............................... ........46
References...................................................... ............................... ..46
List of Exhibits
Exhibit 1: Regional Context ........................................................... ..............................9
Exhibit 2: City of Dublin Planning Area .............................. ............................... .10
Exhibit 3: General Plan Land Use Map ...................................... ...............................
.11
City of Dublin
Environmental Checklist/
Initial Study
Introduction
This Initial Study has been prepared in accord with the provisions of the California
Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) and assesses the potential environmental
impacts of implementing the proposed project described below. The initial Study
consists of a completed environmental checklist and a brief explanation of the
environmental topics addressed in the checklist.
Project Sponsor & Contact Person
City of Dublin
Community Development Department
100 Civic Plaza
Dublin CA 94568
(925) 833 6610
Attn: Mamie Delgado, Senior Planner
Project Location and Context
The City of Dublin Planning Area consists of approximately 18.76 square mites of
land area lying in eastern Alameda County, also known as the Livermore- Amador
Valley, or the Tri- Valley area. Surrounding jurisdictions include the City of San
Ramon and unincorporated Contra Costa County to the north, unincorporated
Alameda County to the east and west and the cities of Pleasanton and Livermore to
the south.
Exhibit I shows the location of Dublin in relation to surrounding communities and
other major features.
The General Plan includes policies for the City's three Planning Areas: the Primary
Planning Area, Eastern Extended Planning Area and Western Extended Planning Area.
The Primary Planning Area consists of the original 1982 City boundaries and those
annexations occurring to the west between 1985 and 1991. The Eastern Extended
Planning Area is located east of the Primary Planning Area while the Western Extended
Planning Area is located west of the Primary Planning Area. The Eastern and Western
Extended Planning Areas are coterminous with the City's Sphere of Influence. Each of
the City's Planning Areas are described in further detail below.
•
Enmary Primary Pla ng Area. The Primary Planning Area contains approximately 3,100
acres of land including the City's downtown area and is considered the central part
of the City. This Planning Area is also served by the Western Dublin BART station.
City of Dublin sage 2
Initial Study /General Plan Update February 2013
The Primary Planning Area is fully developed; there are no large vacant parcels
remaining. Nearly 300 acres in the downtown area is covered by the Downtown
Dublin Specific Plan, which facilitates redevelopment in the area, including
additional residential mixed -use projects,
Eastern Extended Planning, Area. The Eastern Extended Planning Area contains
approximately 4,300 acres of land and is generally located south and east of the Parks
Reserve Forces Training Area (Parks RFTA or Camp Parks). Since 1995, the Eastern
Extended Planning Area has developed steadily, creating a distinctive and balanced
use area that complements the remainder of the City. The extension of Dublin
Boulevard eastward provides the physical link that connects the Eastern Extended
Planning Area to the rest of Dublin. Despite being separated from the Primary
Planning Area by Parks RFTA, the Eastern Extended Planning Area provides a
variety of development opportunities that has enhanced the residential, employment,
retail, recreation and cultural character of the entire City. The development pattern in
the Eastern Extended Planning Area facilitates the use of transit both on a local and
regional level and includes the Dublin Pleasanton BART station.
approximately . 3 O01a Wing lea. The Western Extended Planning Area contains
estern Extended
acres of land and is located west of the Primary Planning Area.
Thts Plannin Area presents a unique opportunity for the City of Dublin, being part
of an open space corridor stretching from Contra Costa County to Santa Clara
County. With its steep terrain and scenic oak woodlands, the Western Extended
Planning Area has important open space value for Dublin and the region.
At the same time, portions of the Western Extended PIa'ng Area have provided a
unique opportunity for carefully planned development in the southwestern portion
of the Planning Area. Major ridgelines screen most of the development from key off-
site viewpoints resulting in opportunities to provide housing and recreation without
major disruption to the scenic values in the surrounding area. Clustering
development has increased land use efficiency and protected key ridgelines,
woodland areas and other important features. Development in the Western
Extended Planning Area is largely limited to Schaefer Ranch, which has been
approved for development by the City of Dublin.
Exhibit 2 shows the location of the three General Plan Planning Areas in Dublin.
General Plan content and amendment procedures are guided by the Planning and
,Zoning Law, Government Code § 65300 et seq.
Project Description
_ackgLo —und. The text and plan maps adopted by the City Council in the General Plan
constitute a guide for the day to day physical development decisions that shape the
social, economic, and environmental character of the City and its extended planning
areas. In accordance with Government Code Section 65300, the General Plan includes
City of Dublin Page 3
Initial Study /General Plan Update February 2013
policies for the Planning Area, including the City limits proper and those areas outside
the City limits that bear relation to Dublin's planning.
Proposed General Plan U date. The City of Dublin is proposing revisions to the existing
1985 General Plan, as amended through March 23, 2012. Revisions are proposed to all
existing Elements constituting the current General Plan, with the exception of the
Housing Element. The proposed revisions reflect underlying changes within the City of
Dublin (such as new streets), and respond to recent changes in state planning law, and
other regulatory requirements. The planning horizon for the General Plan is 2035. No
additional development is proposed as part of the proposed revisions over and above
that included in the current General Plan. Similarly, no major policy changes, land use
or density changes are proposed as art of the revisions to the General Plan. Therefore,
existing assumptions contained in the current General Plan regarding Dublin's build -
out population, the number of dwellings and the square footage of non-residential
development remain in place. The revised General Plan dated February 13, 2013 is
hereby incorporated by reference into this Initial Study. Copies of the revised General
Plan document are available for review at Dublin City Hall, Community Development
Department, 100 Civic Plaza, Dublin, CA during normal business hours.
The following Elements constitute the revised Dublin General Plan: Land Use; Parks
and Open Space; Schools, Public Lands and Utilities; Circulation and Scenic Highways;
Housing (no proposed changes); Conservation; Seismic Safety and Safety; Noise;
Community Design and Sustainability; and Economic Development. Each Element is
briefly described below.
,Land Use Element: Dublin's Land Use Element includes a Land'Use Map showing
the location of residential, commercial, industrial, and open space land uses
within the Dublin planning area at full build -out. There are no changes to the
Land Use Map. There is also an accompanying text document that includes
descriptions of all land uses shown on the Land Use Map as well as population
density and intensity and impact of new growth on local military facilities.
The Land Use Element includes Guiding Policies and Implementing Policies with
respect to housing availability, neighborhood diversity, residential compatibility,
commercial and industrial land use and specific policies dealing with the
Primary Planning Area, Eastern Extended Planning Area and Western Extended
Planning Area.
At build -out of the Land Use Element, there could be a range of between 11,529
and 27,628 dwelling units of various configurations (single family detached,
apartments, etc.) in Dublin, a population ranging in size between 31,021 and
92,879 and a range of between 26.16 million and 41.58 million square feet of non-
residential that includes office, commercial, light industrial and similar uses. The
Land Use Element also provides for a range of neighborhood and community
parks, open spaces, schools, public and quasi -public uses. The above
development projections and assumptions are based on existing land use
designations and density ranges, which are not proposed to be changed.
Revisions to the Land Use Element generally include recent development activity
that has occurred over the years in each of the City's Planrdllg Areas. Current
City of Dublin Page 4
Initial Study /General Plan Update February 2013
housing and job estimates are included in the updated descriptions of each
Planning Area as well as a table that summarizes the land use and development
potential within each Planning Area. None of these charges affects the land use
designations, density or location of development under the General Plan.
Parks and Open Space Element: Dublin's Parks and Open Space Element desigpates
Iand in the Dublin planning area for the preservation of natural resources, the
managed production of resources, outdoor recreation opportunities, public
health and safety and open space to support military installations. The Parks and
Open Space Element includes land reserved for these purposes as identified on
the Land Use Map.
The Parks and Open Space Element also includes Guiding Policies and
Implementing Policies for the preservation and use of open spaces within the
Primary Planning Area, Eastern Extended Planning Area and Western Extended
Planning Area. Changes to this Element include updates to properties with
Williamson Act Agreements and new Implementing Policies relating to the
City's Parks and Recreation Master Plan,
Schools, Public Lands and utilities Element: Dublin's Schools, Public Lands and
Utilities Element includes Guiding Policies and Implementing Policies dealing
with public schools, public lands, solid waste disposal, sewage treatment and
disposal, water supply and hazardous waste management within the Primary
Planning Area, Eastern Extended Planning Area and Western Extended Planning
Area. This Element has been updated to reflect the City's current solid waste and
recycling collection programs, wastewater collection and treatment services, and
potable and recycled water services.
Circulation and Scenic Highways Element: Dublin's Circulation and Scenic
Highways Element includes the general location and extent of existing and
proposed major thoroughfares, transportation routes, terminals, any military
airports and ports, and other local public utilities and facilities. Transportation
and circulation improvements are correlated with the Land Use Element to meet
the needs of the population planned for in the Land Use Element. Guiding and
Implementing Policies are provided in the Circulation and Scenic Highways
Element addressing each of these topics. No changes are proposed to the
transportation patterns or facilities in the Circulation and Scenic Highways
Element.
The major change to this Element is the addition of policies and discussion
regarding Complete Streets, in accordance with recent legislation, The City
adopted a related Complete Streets Policy in 2012 and is now including that
existing policy in the General Plan. The Complete Streets provisions are intended
to promote transportation options and independent mobility, increase
community safety, encourage healthy, active living, reduce environmental
impacts, minimize impacts to climate change from vehicle emissions and support
greater social interaction and community identity. These goals are proposed to
be accomplished by providing safe, comfortable, and convenient travel along and
across streets through a comprehensive, integrated transportation network for all
City of Dublin
initial Study /General Plan Update
Page 5
February 2013
users, including bicyclists, pedestrians, motorists, public transit riders, movers of
commercial goods, and special needs users such as children, persons with
disabilities, seniors, youth, and families. The proposed provisions overlap other
existing policies in the City's CIimate Action Plan and the Community Design
and Sustainability Element.
The Circulation and Scenic Highways Element also contains.Guiding and
Implementing Policies dealing with Scenic Corridors in Dublin which include the
I -580 and 1 -680 freeways, San Ramon Road, Dougherty Road and Tassajara Road.
No changes are proposed to these provisions.
' Mousing Element: Dublin's Housing Element was updated by the City and
certified by the Department of Housing and Community Development in 2010
and no additional changes have been proposed as• part of the revisions to the
General Plan. In accordance with State law, the Housing Element will be updated
again in October 2014.
Conservation Element: Dublin's Conservation Element addresses the following
statutorily required elements: water resources, agriculture and other soils, rivers
and streams, and wildlife habitats. Other resources discussed in this Element are
air quality and archaeological and historical resources. Dublin is located inland
from major bodies of water and contains no harbors or fisheries. No substantial
forests or mineral extraction areas are located in any of the Dublin planning
areas. The Conservation Element contains Guiding and Implementing Policies
addressing stream corridors and riparian vegetation, erosion and siltation
control, oak woodlands, air quality, agricultural lands, archeological and historic
resources, open space maintenance and management within the Primary
Planning Area, Eastern Extended Planning Area and Western Extended Planning
Area. Changes to this Element include updating a discussion of drainage
patterns in the Eastern Extended Planning Area, including references to the
City's Heritage Tree Ordinance and formalizing a requirement for an air quality
analysis for future development proposals that could generate significant air
quality emissions.
Seismic Safety and Safety Element: As required by state law, Dublin's Seismic
Safety and Safety Element provides an assessment of the risk of ground shaking,
rupture, and failure due to earthquakes. The Element includes Guiding and
Implementing Polices addressing the potential for landslide, earth subsidence
and liquefaction hazards. The Seismic Safety and Safety Element also discusses
flooding, emergency preparedness and urban and wildland fire hazards and
hazardous materials. Changes to this Element include updating references to
regional flood control facilities, updating policies relating to hazardous material
incident responses, adding guiding and implementing policies to require site -
specific hazardous material studies for potentially contaminated sites and
updating exhibits relating to soil hazards, such as landslides, and flooding
potential.
Noise Element: The focus of Dublin's Noise Element is the effect of traffic noise on
g C
locatin g__ ate orxes of land use and developing projects within those cateLyoriefi.
,.
City of Dublin
Initial Study/General Plan Update
Page 6
February 2013
The City's three Planning Areas contain no railroad=the rts, heliports or
industrial plants, although BART tracks are located I -580 right-of-way
on the south side of Dublin. The Parks Reserve Forces Training Area does
contain a heliport and is located between Dublin's Primary and Eastern
Extended Planning Areas.
Traffic continues to be the primary source of continuous noise in Dublin. Noise
exposure contours have been plotted for 2011 (based on current traffic data) and
projected to 2035 based on traffic volume increases from potential future
development under the General Plan (see Figures 9-1 and 9_2). Projected noise
exposure is based on'the Community Noise Equivalent Level (CNEL) as required
by statute. Changes to this Element include a new implementing policy to
address new noise transmission standards required by the California Green
Building Standards Code and updated exhibits depicting current and future
(2035) noise contours.
Community Design and Sustainubility Element: Dublin's Community Design and
Sustainability Element was adopted in 2010 and sets forth goals, policies and
implementation measures to assist in creating an environmentally friendly
community with a distinct sense of place.
Draft Economic Development Element: This proposed new Element establishes
goals and policies to expand business and employment opportunities in the
community. Proposed goals include developing economic vibrancy in the
community, improving conditions for small businesses, developing strategic
employment supporting sites and achieving of the City's Downtown vision.
These goals and policies are proposed within the existing land use designation
framework.
Build -out of the community under the revised General Plan continue to take place
through a variety of public sector actions undertaken by the City and other
governmental agencies, consistent with the City's Capital Improvement Program and
Budget and private development activities undertaken on various sites in the
community. Development in the City is guided by a robust combination of General
Plan policies and three major specific plans (Eastern Dublin Specific Plan, Downtown
Dublin Specific Plan, and Dublin Village Historic Area Specific Plan). Development
areas in Schaefer Ranch and Eastern Dublin are further defined by existing PD- Planned
Development zoning that has established site- and project - specific development
standards. Several sets of design guidelines have also been established for various parts
of the City, while virtually all i-tew development requires a Site Development Review
permit as well as compliance with the Zoning Ordinance and other City development
regulations. Development is similarly subject to environmental regulation by agencies
at the federal, state and local level, in such areas as biological resources and endangered
species, air quality, and water quality, among others. Virtually all potentially
developable land in all three of the City's planning areas has been entitled to at least a
PD -Stage 1 Development Plan level, or equivalent, and is required to comply not only
with applicable development regulations but also with adopted environmental review
mitigation measures. Future individual developments submitted to the City of Dublin
City of Dublin Page 7
Initial Study /General Plan Update February 2013
under the revised General Plan may be required to undergo further site or project -
specific CEQA review prior to action being taken by the City; however, the proposed
General Flan revisions are minor updates that will have little if any effect on this
established land use and permitting structure.
City of Dublin Page 8
Initial Study /General Plan Update February 2013
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CITY OF DUBLIN
GENERAL PLAN UPDATE
INITIAL STUDY
Exhibit 1
REGIONAL CONTEXT
I 0 0 B B 10 nuke
-'i Eastern Extended Planning Area Boundary M Streets
Primary Planning Area Boundary City of Dublin
®I Western Extended Planning Area Boundary L_-_1 Sphere of Influence
SOUWF' CWOMUORn.24 -2073.
CITY OF DUBLIN Exhibit 2
GENERAL PLAN UPDATE FCITY OF DUBLIN PLANNING AREAS
INITIALSTUDY
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CITY OF DUBLIN Ezhiblt3
GENERAL PLAN UPDATE LAND USE MAP
INITIAL STUDY
1. Project description: Adoption of a revised General Plan for the City of
Dublin. Revisions are proposed to the following
Elements: Land Use; Parks and Open Space; Schools,
Public Lands and Utilities; Circulation and Scenic
Highways; Conservation, Seismic Safety and Safety;
Noise; and, Community Design and Sustainability. A
new Economic Development Element is also
proposed. No modifications have been made to the
Housing Element.
2. Lead agency:
3. Contact persons:
4. Project location:
5. Project sponsor:
G. General Plan designation:
7. Zoning:
City of Dublin
Marnie Delgado, Senior PIanner
City -wide
City of Dublin
Various
Various
8. Other public agency required approvals:
None
City of Dublin Page 12
Initlal Study /General flan Update February 2013
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
-
Agricultural
-
Air Quality
Resources
-
Biological
-
Cultural Resources
Geology Soils
Resources
-
Hazards and
-
HydroIogy Water
-
Land Use
Hazardous
Quality
Planning
Materials
-
Mineral Resources
-
Noise
-
Population
Housin
-
Public Services
-
Recreation
-
Transportation
Circulation
-
Utilities Service
-
Mandatory
Systems
Findings of
Significance
Determination (to be completed by Lead Agency):
On the basis of this initial evaluation:
X 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.
_I find that although the proposed project may have a significant effect on the
environment, but at least one effect l) has been adequately analyzed in an earlier
document pursuant to applicable legal standards, and 2) has been addressed by
mitigation measures based on earlier analysis as described on the attached sheets, if
the effect is a "potentially significant impact" or "potentially significant unless
mitigated." An Environmental Impact Report is required, but must only analyze the
effects that remain to be addressed.
City of Dublin Page 13
Initial Study /General Plan Update February a 13
l 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 Elie pursuant to
applicable standards, and (b) have been avoided or mitigated pursuant to that
earlier EIR, including revisions or mitigation measures that are imposed on the
proposed project.
Signature:. tuyise N§N, !
Printed Name: K" k OLAado 14. U
City of Dublin
Initial Study /General Plan Update
Date: 664 M 1,A 'I
For: 64 64L.
Page 14
February 2013
Evaluation of Environmental Impacts
1) A brief explanation is required for all answers except "no impact" answers that
are adequately supported by the information sources a lead agency cites in the
parenthesis following each question. A "no impact" answer is adequately
supported if the referenced information sources show that the impact simply
does not apply to projects like the one involved (e.g. the project falls outside a
fault rupture zone). A "no impact" answer should be explained where it is
based on project - specific factors as well as general factors (e.g. the project will
not expose sensitive receptors to pollutants, based on a project - specific
screening analysis).
2) In some instances, an "LS, Less-than-Significant Impact" response may reflect
that a specific environmental topic has been analyzed in a previous CEQA
document and appropriate mitigation measures have been included in a
previous CEQA document to reduce this impact to a less- than - significant level.
In a few instances, some previously analyzed topics have been determined to
be significant and unavoidable and mitigation of such impact to a less -than-
significant level is not feasible. In approving the previous CEQA document, the
City of Dublin adopted a Statement of Overriding Considerations. For the
E2009 -2014 Housing Element update, such environmental impacts
have been adequately analyzed and no new impacts would occur.
3) All answers must take account of the whole action, including off -site as well as
on -site, cumulative as well as project - level, indirect as well as direct, and
construction as well as operational impacts.
4) "Potentially Significant Impact" is appropriate if there is substantial evidence
that an effect is significant. If there are one or more "potentially significant
impact" entries when the determination is made, an EIR is required.
5) "Negative Declaration. Less- Than - Significant Unless Mitigation Incorporated"
implies elsewhere the incorporation of mitigation measures has reduced an
effect from potentially significant effect" to a "less than significant impact," The
lead agency must describe the mitigation measures and briefly explain how
they reduce the effect to a less than significant level.
City of Dublin Page 15
Initial StudytGeneral Plan Update February 2013
Environmental Impacts (Note: Source of determination listed in
parenthesis. See listing of sources used to determine each potential impact at
the end of the checklist)
Earlier Analyses
Earlier analyses may be used where, pursuant to tiering, a program EIR, or other
CEQA process, one or more effects have been adequately analyzed in an earlier EIR
or Negative Declaration. Reference CEQA Guideline Section 15063 (c)(3)(d).
City of Dublin rage 16
Initial Study /General Plan Update February 2013
Environmental Impacts (Note: Source of determination listed in parenthesis. See listing of
sources used to determine each potential impact at the end of the checklist)
Note: A full discussion of each item is found followin
the checklist.
1. Aesthetics. Would the project:
a) Have a substantial adverse effect on a scenic
vista? (Source: 1, 6.8)
b) Substantially damage scenic resources, including
but not limited to trees, rock outcroppings, and
historic buildings within a state scenic highway i
(Source: 1, 6, 8)
c) Substantially degrade the existing visual character
or quality of the site and its surroundings?
(Source: 6)
d) Create a new source of substantial light or glare
which would adversely affect day or nighttime
views in the area? (Source: 6, 8)
2. Agricultural and Forestry Resources
Would the project:
a) Convert Prime Farmland, Unique Farmland or
Farmland of Statewide Importance, as shown on
the maps prepared pursuant to the Farmland
Mapping and Monitoring Program of the
California Resources Agency, to a non-
agricultural use? (Source: 1, 2 ,7)
b) Conflict with existing zoning for agriculture use,
or a Williamson Act contract? (Source: 4)
c) Involve other changes in the existing environment
which, due to their location or nature, could
result in conversion of farmland to a non-
agricultural use? (Source: 4,6)
d) Result In the loss of forest land or conversion of
forest land to non - forest use? (6)
e) Involve other changes in the existing environment
that, due to their location or nature, could result
in conversion offarmiand to a non - agricultural
use or conversion of forestiand to a non forest
use? (6)
City of Dublin
Initial Study /General Flan Update
g Potentially
Significant
Impact
Less Than
Significant
With
Mitigation
Less than
Significant
Impact
No
Impact
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
Fags 17
February 201 a
3. Air Quality (Where available, the significance
criteria established by the applicable air quality
management district may be relied on to make
the following determinations), Would the
project:
a) Conflict with or obstruct implementation of the
applicable air quality plan? (Source: 4, 8)
b) Violate any air quality standard or contribute
substantially to an existing or projected air
quality violation? (Source: 4, 8)
c) Result in a cumulatively considerable net increase
of any criteria pollutant for which the project
region is non - attainment under an applicable
federal or state ambient air quality standard
(Including releasing emissions which exceed
quantitative thresholds for ozone precursors? (8)
d) Expose sensitive receptors to substantial pollutant
concentrations? (Source: 6, 8)
e) Create objectionable odors affecting a substantial
number of people? (Source: 4)
4. Biological Resources. Would the project
a) Have a substantial adverse effect, either directly
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 Game or the U,S. Fish and Wildlife
Service ?(Source: 1,2, 8)
b) Have a substantial adverse effect on any riparian
habitat or other sensitive natural community
identified in local or regional plans, policies or
regulations or by the California Department of
Fish and Game or the U.S. Fish and Wildlife
Service? (Source: 1, 2, 8)
City of Dublin
Initial Study /General Plan Update
Potentially
Sign
Impact
Less Than FSignificant No
Significan Impact
With
Mitigation
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
Page 18
February 2013
c) Have a substantial adverse effect on federally
protected wetlands as defined by Section 404 of
the Clean Water Act (including but not limited t
marsh, vernal pool, coastal, etc.) through direct
removal, filling, hydrological interruption or
other means?
(Source: Source: 1, 2, 8)
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? (Source: 1, 2,4)
e) Conflict with any local policies or ordinances
protecting biological resources, such as tree
protection ordinances? (Source: 1, 2)
f) Conflict with the provision of an adopted Habitat
Conservation Plan, Natural Community
Conservation Plan or other approved local,
regional or state habitat conservation plan?
(Source: 8)
S. Cultural Resources, Would the project
a) Cause a substantial adverse impact in the
significance of a historical resource as defined in
Sec. 150645? (Source: 1, 4)
b) Cause a substantial adverse change in the
significance of an archeological resource
pursuant to Sec. 15064.5 (Source: 1,4)
c) Directly or indirectly destroy a unique
paleontological resource, site or unique geologic
feature? (Source: 1, 4)
d) Disturb any human remains, including those
interred outside of aformal cemetery? (1,4)
6. Geology and Soils. Would the project
a) Expose people or structures to 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 Earthquake Fault Zoning Map
issued by the State Geologist or based on other
substantial evidence of a known fault (Source: 1,
2, 4, 5)
City of Dublin
Initial Study /General Plan Update
Potentially
Significant
Impact
Less Than
Significant
With
Mitigation
Less than
Significant
Impact
No
Impact
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
Page 19
February 2013
ii) Strong seismic ground shaking (1,2,4,5)
iii) Seismic - related ground failure, including
liquefaction? (1,2,4,5)
iv) Landslides? (I,2,4,5)
b) Result in substantial soil erosion or the loss of
topsoil? (Source: 1,2,4,5)
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 similar hazards
(Source: 4)
d) Be located on expansive soil, as defined in Table
18 -1 -13 of the Uniform Building Code (1994),
creating substantial risks to life or property?
(Source: 4)
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? (Source: 8)
7. Greenhouse Gas Emissions. Would the project:
a) Generate greenhouse gas emissions, either
directly or indirectly, that may have a significant
impact on the environment? (Source: 3)
b) Conflict with an applicable plan, policy or
regulation adopted for the purpose of reducing the
emissions of greenhouse gases? (Source 3)
8. Hazards and Hazardous Materials. Would the
project:
a) Create a significant hazard to the public or the
environment through the routine transport, use or
disposal of hazardous materials
(Source: 2, 8)
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? (Source: 2,8)
c) Emit hazardous emissions or handle hazardous
materials or acutely hazardous materials,
substances, or waste within one - quarter mile of
an existing or proposed school? (Source: 2, 8)
City of Dublin
Initial Study /General Plan Update
Potentially
Significant
Impact
Less Than Less than
Significant Significant
With Impact
Mitigation
No
Impact
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
Page 20
February 2013
d) Be located on a site which is included on a list of
hazardous materials sites compiled pursuant to
Government Code Sec. 65962.5 and, as a result,
would it create a significant hazard to the public
or the environment? (Source: 8)
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 of public use
airport, would the project result in a safety
hazard for people residing or working in the
project area? (Source: 8)
f) For a project within the vicinity of private airstrip,
would the project result in a safety hazard for
people residing or working in the project area?
(Source: 8)
g) Impair implementation of or physically interfere
with the adopted emergency response plan or
emergency evacuation plan?
(Source: 4, 8)
h) Expose people or structures to a significant risk of
loss, injury or death involving wildland fires,
including where wildlands are adjacent to
urbanized areas or where residences are
intermixed with wildlands? (Source: 2, 8)
9. Hydrology and 'Water Quality. Would the project:
a) Violate any water quality standards or waste
discharge requirements? (Source; 4, 7)
b) Substantially deplete groundwater supplies or
interfere substantially with groundwater recharge
such that there would be a net deficit in aquifer
volume or a lowering of the local groundwater
table level (e.g, the production rate of existing
nearby wells would drop to a level which would
not support existing land uses or planned uses
for which permits have been granted? (7)
c) Substantially alter the existing drainage pattern of
the site or area, including through the alteration
of the course of a stream or river, in a manner
which would result in substantial erosion or
siltation on- or off -site? (Source: 4,7)
Potentially
Significant
Impact
Less Than
Significant
With
Miti ation
Less than
Significant
Impact
No
Impact
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
City of Dublin
Page 21
Initial Study /General Flan Update February 2013
d) Substantially alter the existing drainage pattern of
the site or areas, including through the alteration
of the course of a stream or river, or
substantially increase the rate or amount of
surface runoff in a manner which would result in
flooding on- or off -site? (Source: 4,7)
e) 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?
(Source: 4, 7)
f) Otherwise substantially degrade water quality?
(Source: 7, 8)
g) Place housing within a 100 -year flood hazard
area as mapped on a federal Flood Hazard
Boundary or Flood Insurance Rate Map or other
flood delineation map? (Source: 8)
h) Place within a 100 -year flood hazard area
structures which would impede or redirect flood
flows? (Source: 8)
i) Expose people or structures to a significant risk of
loss, injury, and death involving flooding,
Including flooding as a result of the failure of a
levee or dam? (8)
J) Inundation by seiche, tsunami or mudflow? (5)
10. Land Use and Planning. Would the project:
a) Physically divide an established community?
(Source: 4,6)
b) Conflict with any applicable land use plan, policy,
or regulation of an agency with jurisdiction over
the project (including but not limited to the
general plan, specific plan, or zoning ordinance)
adopted for the purpose of avoiding or
mitigating an environmental effect? (Source: 4)
c) Conflict with any applicable habitat conservation
plan or natural community conservation plan?
(8)
I I- Mineral Resources. Would the project
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? (Source: 8)
City of Dublin
Initial Study /General flan Update
Potentially
Significant
Impact
Less Than
Significant
With
Miti anon
Less than
Significant
Impact
No
Impact
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
Page 22
February 2013
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: 8)
12. Noise. Would the proposal result in:
a) Exposure of persons to or generation of noise
levels in excess of standards established in the
local general plan or noise ordinance, or
applicable standards of other agencies? (4)
b) Exposure of persons or to generation of excessive
groundborne vibration or groundborne noise
levels? (Source: 4)
c) A substantial permanent increase in ambient noise
levels in the project vicinity above existing
levels without the project? (4)
d) A substantial temporary or periodic increase in
ambient noise levels in the project vicinity above
levels existing without the project? (4)
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 expose people residing
or working n the project area to excessive noise
levels? (8)
f) For a project within the vicinity of a private
airstrip, would the project expose people
residing or working in the project area to
excessive noise levels? (Source: 8)
13. Population and Housing. Would the project
a) Induce substantial population growth in an area,
either directly or indirectly (for example,
through extension of roads or other
infrastructure)? (Source: 2,4)
b) Displace substantial numbers of existing housing,
necessitating the construction of replacement
housing elsewhere? (4)
c) Displace substantial numbers of people,
necessitating the construction of replacement of
housing elsewhere? (Source: 4)
City of Dublin
Initial Study /General Plan Update
Potentially
Significant
Impact
Less Than
Significant
With
Miti ation
Less than
significant
Impact
No
Impact
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
Page 23
February 2013
14. Public Services. Would the proposal:
a) Would the project result in substantial adverse
physical impacts associated with the provision o
new or physically altered governmental
facilities, need for new or physically altered
government facilities, the construction of which
could cause significant environmental impacts,
in order to maintain acceptable service rations,
response times or other performance objectives
for any of the public services? (Sources: 7)
;~ire protection
Police protection
School s
Parks
Other public facilities
Solid Waste
15. Recreation:
a) Would the project increase the use of existing
neighborhood and regional parks or recreational
facilities such that substantial physical
deterioration of the facility would occur or be
accelerated (Source: 4,5)
b) Does the project include recreational facilities or
require the construction or expansion of
recreational facilities which might have an
adverse physical effect on the environment?
(Source: 4,5)
16. Transportation and Tragic. Would the project:
a) Conflict with an applicable plan, ordinance or
policy establishing measures of effectiveness for
the performance of the circulation system, taking
into account all modes of transportation,
including mass transit and all non - motorized
travel and relevant components of the circulation
system, including but not limited to
intersections, streets, highways and freeways,
pedestrian and bicycle paths and mass transit?
(4-)
b) Exceed, either individually or cumulatively, a
level of service standard established by the
County Congestion Management Agency for
designated roads or highways? (4)
City of Dublin
Initial Study /General Plan Update
Potentially
Significant
Impact
Less Than Taws than
Significant Significant
With Impact
Mitigation
No
Impact
f
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
Page N
February 2013
c) Result in a change in air traffic patterns,
including either an increase in traffic levels or a
change in the location that results in substantial
safety risks? (8)
d) Substantially increase hazards due to a design
feature (e.g. sharp curves or dangerous
intersections) or incompatible uses, such as farm
equipment? (4,7)
e) Result in inadequate emergency access? (8)
f) Conflict with adopted policies, plans or programs
regarding public transit, bicycle or pedestrian
facilities or otherwise decrease the performance
of safety of such facilities ?(4)
17. Utilities and Service Systems. Would the project
a) Exceed wastewater treatment requirements of the
applicable Regional Water Quality Control
Board? (7)
b) Require or result in the construction of new water
or wastewater treatment facilities or expansion
of existing facilities, the construction of which
could cause significant environmental effects?
(7)
c) Require or result in the construction of new storm
water drainage facilities or expansion of existing
facilities, the construction of which could cause
significant environmental effects? (4,7)
d) Have sufficient water supplies available to serve
the project from existing water entitlements and
resources, or are new or expanded entitlements
needed? (7)
e) Result in a determination by the wastewater
treatment provider which serves or may serve
the project that it has adequate capacity to serve
the project's projected demand in addition to the
providers existing commitments? (7)
f) Be served by a landfill with sufficient permitted
capacity to accommodate the project's solid
waste disposal needs? (7)
g) Comply with federal, state and local statutes and
regulations related to solid waste? (7)
Potentially
Significant
Impact
Uss Than
Significant
With
Mitigation
Less than
Significant
Impact
No
impact
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
City of Dublin Page 25
Initial Study /General Plan Update February 2013
18. Mandatory Findings of Significance.
a) Does the project have the potential to 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
self - sustaining levels, threaten to eliminate a
plant or animal community, substantially reduce
the number of 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) Does the project 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
future projects).
c) Does the project have environmental effects which
will cause substantial adverse effects on human
beings, either directly or indirectly?
Potentially
Significant
Impact
Uss Than
Significant
With
Mitigation
Lass than
Significant
Impact
1. No
Impact
X
X
X
SOurcel used to - e mine potential environmental impacts
City of Du in General Plan, updated through March 23, 2012
2) Eastern Dublin GPA and Specific Plan EIR, August 1992/December 1992
3) City of Dublin Climate Action Plan (CAP), October 2010
4) Draft Revised General Plan, February 13, 2013
5) City of Dublin Parks and Recreation Master Plan, 2006
6) Site Visit
7) Discussion with City staff or service provider
8) Other Source
City of Dublin
Initial Study /General Plan Update
Page 26
February 2013
Attachment to Initial Study
Discussion of Checklist
Legend
PS: Potentially Significant
LS / M: Less Than Significant After Mitigation
LS: Less Than Significant Impact
NI: No Impact
1. Aesthetics
Project Impacts
a-c) Have a substantial adverse impact on a scenic vista, substantially damage scenic
resources within a state scenic highway or substantially degrade the visual character
of a site and its surroundings? LS. Much of the Dublin Planning Area has been
developed with urban uses, parks or permanent open space uses. However,
significant scenic resources and scenic vistas exist within the Western
Extended Planning Area and the Eastern Extended Planning Area.
The Primary Planning Area has been extensively developed with residences,
commercial uses, schools, public facilities, parks and related urban uses.
There are no designated scenic vistas or scenic resources and no degradation
of the visual character of the environment, including scenic highways, that
would result from the General Plan revisions.
A number of scenic vistas, scenic resources, including open space hillsides,
ridges and other features, exist in the Western Extended Planning Area. Much
of the Western Extended Planning Area is protected from future development
by the adoption of the Urban Limit Line by the City in 2000. Although a
portion of the I -580 freeway forms the southern boundary of the Western
Extended Planning Area, the freeway frontage has been developed or
retained as open space through the development of the Schaefer Ranch
project. The General Plan revisions would not affect the Urban Limit Line, the
Schaefer Ranch project approval or any other existing protections for area
open space and scenic resources.
The Eastern Dublin General Plan Amendment and Specific Plan, adopted in
1993, include a number of policies and Action Programs to protect scenic
vistas, scenic resources and visual characters of lands in the Eastern Extended
Planning Area. These include policies and programs protecting open spaces,
stream corridors, wetlands, biological resources, ridgelands, scenic corridors
and hillside development restrictions that have been applied as eastern
Dublin has developed. These policies continue to apply to development
proposed in eastern Dublin to ensure that future development will respect
existing scenic resources and visual character. The City also adopted a
City of Dublin Page 27
Initial Study /General Plan Update February 2013
Development Elevation Cap that restricts development above the 770'
contour in eastern Dublin. The proposed General Plan revisions will not
change or affect any of these existing policy protections in eastern Dublin.
In 1996, the City of Dublin adopted the Eastern Dublin Scenic Corridor Policies
and Standards that apply to portions of the Eastern Extended Planning Area.
The purpose of this document is to implement Eastern Dublin Specific Plan
(EDSP) visual protection policies related to individual development projects.
All development in the Eastern Extended Planning Area is subject to the
provisions of this document, which generally requires limitations on blockage
of views to visually sensitive hillsides in the northern and eastern portions of
the Eastern Extended Planning Area. The proposed General Plan revisions
will not change or affect the scenic corridor policies or their application to
development projects.
New residential, commercial, light industrial and other development projects
proposed in the City will continue to undergo development review and to
adhere to General PIan Guiding and Implementing Policies contained in the
Conservation Element and Community Design &c Sustainability Element to
protect stream corridors and associated riparian vegetation, oak woodlands,
agricultural lands and scenic qualities. Further protection of visual resources
is provided through the Heritage Tree ordinance which requires review and
replacement of heritage trees proposed for removal.
Adherence to the General PIan Guiding and Implementing Policies cited
above, the Eastern Dublin Specific Plan, Eastern Dublin Scenic Corridor
Policies and Standards document, the Urban Limit Line in western Dublin and
the Development Cap in eastern Dublin and other protective policies would
continue to be required for new development and would not be affected by
the proposed General Plan revisions, Therefore, the project impacts to scenic
vistas, damage to scenic vistas, including scenic highways, or substantial
degradation of the visual character of the community would be less -than-
significant.
d) Create new sources of significant amounts of light or glare? LS. Most of Dublin's
three Planning Areas are developed with urban uses or parks that contain
sources of Iight and glare. The City also provides lighting along public streets.
Development allowed under the General Plan would result in incremental
increases in new sources of light and glare within the community, The City has
developed standard conditions of approval that are routinely applied to new
development proposals to address Iight and glare. The standard conditions of
approval include requiring photometric plans to ensure adequate, uniform
lighting levels that do not spill over onto adjacent properties; requiring that all
light fixtures be oriented downwards and the light source shielded from direct
off -site viewing; and, prohibiting the use of reflective finishes or reflective glass
on the exterior of buildings. The proposed General Plan revisions would not
change or affect these conditions and would be a less than significant impact.
City of Dublin Page 28
Initial Study /General Plan Update February 2013
2. Agricultural and Forestry Resources
Project Impacts
a -c) Convert Prime .Farmland, conflict with agricultural zoning or uses, conflict with a
Williamson Act contract or convert prime farmland to a non - agricultural use? NI. The
Eastern Extended Planning Area and Western Extended Planning Area contain
roperties planned for agricultural within the Rural Residential /Agriculture
bUR ) land use designation. This designation allows for animal grazing, crop
production and similar agricultural uses on large lots. It is likely that one or
more Williamson Act contracts exist in the Western Extended Planning Area
and Eastern Extended Planning Area.
No agricultural lands, agricultural uses, agricultural zoning or Williamson Act
contracts are present in the Primary Planning Area.
There would be no impacts with respect to this topic since the proposed
General Plan revisions would not change or affect any land use and would not
authorize urban uses anywhere that it is not already planned. Existing Rural
Residential/ Agriculture designations in the north and east portions of eastern
Dublin would also not be affected.
Agricultural resources would also be protected by adherence to Guiding and
Implementing policies contained in the Conservation Element and the Parks
and Open Space Element, The Conservation Element directs the City to prevent
premature urbanization of agricultural lands. The Parks and Open Space
Element states that current Williamson Act Contracts may remain in force for
as long as desired by the affected land owner and the City of Dublin, generally,
does not support early cancellation of such contracts. However, if early
cancellation of a contract is desired, necessary findings are required to be made.
With the proposed General Plan revisions, future urban development would be
as foreseen by the existing unchanged land use designations, the revisions
would have no impact on agricultural zoning, agricultural uses, Williamson
Act contracts or vacant prime agricultural land in the City of Dublin.
d) Result in the loss of forest land or conversion of forest land to a non forest use? NI. No
significant forested land exists in Dublin and no impact would result with respect
to this topic. Oak woodlands that do exist would be protected by adherence to
Guiding and Implementing Policies contained in the Conservation Element. These
Guiding Policies direct the City to protect oak woodlands, especially oak
woodlands in the Western Extended Planning Area.
e) Involve other changes which, due to their location or nature, could result of forest land to a
non forest use? NI. See item "d," above.
City of Dublin Page 29
Initial Study /General Plan Update February 2013
3. Air Quality
Pro
a) Would the project conflict or obstruct implementation of an air quality plan? NI.
Future development envisioned in the General Plan is included within current
land use projections prepared by the Association of Bay Area Governments
(ABAG), which are used for air quality emissions included in the Bay Area Air
Quality District's Clean Air Plan. As noted in the Project Description, revisions
to the Elements would not increase the number of residential dwellings in
Dublin or the amount of non - residential development, Policies and programs
contained in the Community Design and Sustainability Element will assist in
improving local air quality by furthering energy conservation and water
conservation, No impacts are therefore anticipated with respect to conflicts to
or obstructions of the Clean Air Plan.
b,c) Would the project violate any air qualihj standards or result in cumulatively considerable
air pollutants? NI. The General Plan revisions would not directly result in new
development or construction that would generate air pollutants that would violate
any air quality standards on a project or cumulative level. No impact would result
with respect to this topic. In accordance with past practice, all future development
projects submitted to the City of Dublin for approval will continue to be
individually reviewed to confirm compliance with applicable air quality standards
and, if necessary, identify and implement specific methods to ensure air quality
standard compliance.
d) Expose sensitive receptors to significant pollutant concentrations? NI. No new dwelling
units or other structures that could be occupied by sensitive receptor populations
(senior citizens, chronically ill individuals, preschool children, etc.) would be
directly constructed as a result of approving the General Plan revisions. Future
individual projects containing sensitive receptors located near sources of major
pollutants (generally freeways, arterial roadways and similar generators) will
continue to be reviewed by the City of Dublin to ensure that: a) the location of
future projects on individual sites will minimize air quality impacts to sensitive
receptors, and b) appropriate on -site pollutant control features, such as air
conditioning systems, will be included with such developments. This review will
take place as part of the normal and customary City of Dublin review process,
including but not limited to PD -Stage 2 Development Plans and /or applications
for Site Development Review permits. No significant impacts would therefore
result with respect to air quality impacts on sensitive receptors.
e) Create objectionable odors affecting a substantial number of people? NI. The General Plan
revisions would not cause the construction of new development that would result
in new uses that would emit objectionable odors. No impacts are therefore
anticipated with respect to this topic.
City of Dublin Page 30
Initial Study /General Plan Update February 2013
4. Biological Resources
Project Impacts
a-0 Have a substantial adverse impact on a candidate, sensitive, special-status species
riparian habitat or wetlands or other sensitive natural community through removal,
filling or other means? LS. Adoption of the General Plan revisions would not
directly impact candidate species, sensitive species, special- status or other
protected plant or wildlife species. Future development projects that could be
constructed in the City of Dublin are subject to policies contained in the
Conservation Element. This Element contains both Guiding and Implementing
Policies on a City -wide basis to protect stream corridors and riparian
vegetation, provisions for erosion and siltation control and protection of oak
woodlands. Protection for candidate, sensitive and special- status plant and
wildlife species is also provided by a number of policies and action programs
set forth in the Eastern Dublin Specific Plan. The above policies are unchanged
from existing policies and would not be affected by any of the proposed
General Plan revisions.
No significant biological resources are located in the Downtown Dublin
Specific PIan area or in the rest of the Primary Planning Area. Biological
resources in much of the Western Extended Planning Area are protected by the
Urban Limit Line development prohibition and restrictions in the Schaefer
Ranch approvals.
Future development projects submitted for approval to the City of Dublin will
continue to be reviewed by the City to ensure compliance with all applicable
local, state and federal requirements to protect candidate, sensitive, special -
status and other protected biological species. Less- than - significant impacts are
anticipated with respect to this topic.
d) Interfere substantially with movement of native fish or wildlife species? LS. New
development is subject to adherence to Guiding and Implementing Policies
contained in the Conservation Element that mandate protection of stream
corridors and riparian vegetation, and thus the movement of fish or wildlife
species. As noted above, all future development projects that contain wetlands,
other waters or riparian habitat will be required to be consistent with Dublin
General Plan policies, as well as other state and federal regulations protecting
wetlands and other waters. The proposed General Plan revisions would not
change or affect any of the existing policy or regulatory protections.
e, f) Conflict with local policies or ordinances protecting biological resources or any adopted
Habitat Conservation Plans or Natural Community Conservation Plans? NI. The
City of Dublin lies within the Eastern Alameda County Conservation Strategy
( EACCS) planning area. The EACCS is a Habitat Conservation area. The
General Plan revisions will be consistent with local City of Dublin biological
resource protection policies, as well as applicable objectives contained in the
EACCS document. Key objectives of the EACCS include comprehensive
conservation of special - status species in eastern Alameda County, contribution
City of Dublin Rage 31
Initial Study /General Plan update February 2013
to recovery of threatened species and others. Future development is required to
comply with all City policies, ordinances and requirements protecting
biological resources, including impacts to heritage frees. No impacts would
therefore result as the proposed General Plan revisions would not change or
affect these provisions.
5. Cultural Resources
Project Impacts
a) Cause substantial adverse change to significant historic resources? LS. Although
Dublin is a relatively new community, a number of important historic
resources exist within the Dublin Planning Area. The largest concentration of
historic resources is found in the original settlement area of Dublin, generally
located north of the I- -580 freeway and west of San Ramon Road in the Primary
Planning Area. Now included in the City's Heritage Park and Museum, major
historic structures include the Murray Schoolhouse, St. Raymond's church and
Green's Store, as well as other older structures.
Other potentially significant historic structures and related resources have been
identified in the Fallon Village project area and are subject to protective
conditions adopted with the Fallon Village approvals.
The Conservation Element also includes existing mandates for the City to
preserve historic structures, including Green's Store. The proposed General
Plan revisions would not affect adherence to General Plan standards and
applicable state law; therefore, no impacts are anticipated to historic structures.
b -d) Cause a substantial adverse impact or destruction to archeological or paleontological
resources, or human remains that may be interred outside of aformal cemetery? NI.
The Primary Planning Area is fully developed, so no archeological resources
are likely to remain. In any case, the City's standard conditions of approval
along with Chapter 8.48 (Archaeological Resources Regulations) of the Dublin
Zoning Ordinance require stop -work and protective measures consistent with
direction in CEQA and the CEQA Guidelines (e.g., section 150645), which
would not be affected by the proposed General Plan revisions. Therefore, there
would be no impact to archeological, paleontological, Native American, buried
human remains or other historic resource in any of the planning areas.
6. Geology and Soils
Project pacts
a) Expose people or structures to potential substantial adverse impacts, including loss,
injury or death related to ground rupture, seismic ground shaking, ground failure, or
landslides? LS. The General Plan would allow construction of new dwellings
-- and non - residential structures within the City of Dublin based on existing land
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Initial Study /General Plan Update February 2013
use designations, which will be unchanged. Potential impacts related to soil,
geologic and seismic conditions on future construction are addressed by
adherence to the Seismic Safety and Safety Element of the Dublin General Plan.
This Element includes existing policies related to groundshaking, ground
rupture, and soil -based hazards, such as liquefaction and landslides. Guiding
policies in the Seismic Safety and Safety Element state that "geological hazards
shall be mitigated or development shall be located away from geological
hazards in order to preserve life, protect property and reasonably limit the
financial risks to the City of Dublin and other public agencies that would result
from damage to poorly located public facilities."
Other provisions of the Seismic Safety and Safety Element continue to require
geotechnical analyses for proposed subdivisions and other developments,
especially for subdivisions proposed in hillside areas. The Seismic Safety and
Safety Element continues to require the City to prepare and periodically update
an Earthquake Response Plan with evacuation routes.
With adherence to the Guiding and Implementing Policies contained in the
Seismic Safety and Safety Element for major development programs in the
community, existing policies and protections related to seismic activity,
landslides and similar soil hazards will be maintained for new development.
The proposed General Plan revisions will not change or affect these provisions
and the impact is less - than- significant.
b) Is the site subject to substantial erosion and /or the loss of topsoil? IS, Development
that would be constructed in the community pursuant to the General Plan will
be regulated by the Conservation Element that continues to require protection
of Stream Corridors and Riparian Vegetation to minimize erosion into local
creeks in the Dublin Planning Area. The same Element includes existing
Guiding and Implementing Policies to minimize erosion into local bodies of
water and to undertake erosion control methods.
In addition, development projects are required to adhere to Best Management
Practices (BMPs) as required by the Alameda County Clean 'Water program
and enforced by the City of Dublin as part of normal and customary review of
individual development projects will ensure insignificant impacts regarding
substantial soil erosion or loss of topsoil. These BMPs typically include but are
not limited to installation of silt fences, sandbags and similar measures to
minimize substantial erosion and loss of topsoil. The proposed General Plan
revisions would not change or affect existing policies or regulatory
requirements. This impact would therefore be less - than - significant.
c -d) Is the site located on soil that is unstable or expansive and that could result in potential
lateral spreading, liquefaction, landslide or collapse? IS. The Seismic Safety and
Safety Element of the Dublin General Plan continues to require geotech dcal
reports for new development proposals and ensures that any issues related to
unstable soils, liquefaction, lateral spreading, landslide and other soil hazards
will be addressed. The proposed General Plan revisions make no changes to
policies procedures, therefore impact is less-than-significant.
s
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e) Have soils incapable of supporting on -site septic tanks if sewers are not available? NI.
All new projects are required by the City of Dublin to connect to the local sewer
system, maintained by the Dublin San Ramon Services District. No impacts
would therefore result with regard to septic systems.
7. Greenhouse Gas Emissions
Project Impacts
a,b Generate greenhouse gas emissions, either directly or indirectly, that may have a
significant impact on the environment or conflict with an applicable plan, policy or
regulation adopted for the purpose of reducing the emissions of greenhouse gases? NI.
Development allowed pursuant to the General Plan would increase the amount of
greenhouse gasses (carbon dioxide and similar pollutants) into the atmosphere. To
reduce these anticipated emissions, the City committed to reducing community-
wide GHG emissions by 207a below business-as-usual GHGs emissions by 2020
through the adoption of a Climate Action Plan (CAP). The CAP was adopted by
the City of Dublin in October 2010. The City expects the GHG reduction target to
be achieved through a combination of the reduction measures included in the
CAP and state initiatives. Since land use assumptions, population density, the
amount of non - residential construction and the population build -out to the
General Plan horizon year are the same as used as the basis of the CAP, there
would be no impact with respect to generation of greenhouses gasses.
8. Hazards and Hazardous Materials
Project Impacts
a) Create significant hazards to the public or the environment through the routine transport,
use or disposal hazardous materials? LS. The Land Use Element would continue to
allow existing and new light industrial and similar uses, some of which use,
generate, transport or store potentially significant quantities of hazardous
materials. These developments would be required to comply with the Seismic
Safety and Safety Element that regulates hazardous materials in Dublin.
The use, transport, storage and disposal of hazardous materials are also
extensively regulated by other state and federal agencies, including but not
limited to Caltrans, the Regional Water Quality Control Board and the U.S.
Environmental Protection Agency. With adherence to the Seismic Safety and
Safety Element of the General Plan and regulations of other a envies, a less -than-
significant impact is anticipated with respect to this topic as the proposed General
Plan revisions do not change or affect these policies or regulations.
b, c) Create a significant hazard to the public or the environment through reasonably
foreseeable upset and accidental conditions involving the release of hazardous materials
into the environment or emit hazardous materials or handle hazardous or acutely
hazardous materials, substances or wastes within one- quarter mile of an existing or
proposed school LS. The General Plan covers currently vacant sites within the City
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Initial StudylGeneral Plan Update February 2013
of Dublin that could develop under the auspices of this General Plan, as well as
developed sites that could redevelop to a differing land use as identified in the
General Plan. Developed properties that could redevelop may contain some level
of hazardous materials as a result of existing or previous uses or activities on that
site or sites. As part of the normal and customary City of Dublin demolition
permit process, future site - specific applicants roust obtain clearance from the Bay
Area Air Quality Management District regarding the presence of asbestos
building materials, lead based paints and any other potentially hazardous
materials that could be emitted into the atmosphere during building demolition.
If such materials are found, they would be remediated prior to commencement of
demolition activities.
For currently vacant sites that develop, the City of Dublin normally and
customarily requires completion of environmental site investigations for the
potential presence of hazard materials that could be released into the atmosphere
during grading activities. Property owners will then be required to remediate any
hazardous conditions if any are identified. The proposed General Plan revisions
would not change or affect any of the above review and remediation provisions,
therefore, the impact is less than significant
No existing or planned public schools are located within a one - quarter mile radius
of an identified hazardous materials site, Parks Reserve Forces Training Area,
based on the Cortese List of contaminated sites in Dublin as of January 30, 2013.
d) Be listed on a site that is included on a list of hazardous materials sites complied on the
Cortese List and, as a result, would create a significant hazard to the public or
environment? LS. The California Department of Toxic Substances Control (DTSC)
Cortese List of hazardous sites identifies only one potentially contaminated site in
Dublin as of January 30, 2013. That site is the Parks Reserve Forces Training Area
(Parks RFTA), also known as Camp Parks, which is a federal facility and not
subject to the City's General Plan or other land use regulatory authority. New
development in the areas around Parks RFTA would continue to be subject to the
City's practice of requiring environmental site investigations. The proposed
General Plan revisions would not affect either DTSC or normal City procedures;
therefore, the impact is less than significant
e -f) Is the site located within an airport land use plan of a public airport or private airstrip?
LS. A portion of the Eastern Extended Planning Area is located within the
Airport Influence Area (AIA) of the Livermore Municipal Airport, which is
located south of the I -580 freeway in the City of Livermore. Future
development projects constructed pursuant to the General Plan within the AIA
are required to be referred to the Alameda County Airport Land Use
Commission (ALUC) to ensure consistency with the Alameda County Airport
Land Use Compatibility Plan ( ALUCP). Existing land uses within the AIA are
consistent with the ALUCP and would not change as part of the proposed
General PIan revisions. This is anticipated to be a less- than - significant impact,
g) Interference with an emergency evacuation plan? NI, Future development that
d e to be required to
woo occur consistent with the General Plan wool,,,,,,, continue ^�
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initial Study /General Plan Update February 2013
be consistent with the City's Comprehensive Emergency Management Plan
that also addresses emergency evacuation. Private development projects
proposed for City approval will continue to be reviewed by the Dublin Police
Services Department and the Alameda County Fire Department to ensure that
no blockage of emergency evacuation plans would occur. No impacts are
anticipated with regard to this topic.
h) Expose people and structures to a significant risk of loss, injury or death involving
wildland fires or where residences are intermixed with wildlands? LS. A number of
properties are located within urban/ wildland interface areas where there is a
moderate to high potential for wildland fires, especially the Western Extended
Planning Area and the Eastern Extended Planning Area, both of which border
open space under Alameda County jurisdiction. Future development
constructed in Dublin must comply with the Seismic Safety and Safety Element.
This Element continues to require special precautions against fire as a condition
of approval for development in Extended Planning Areas where such
development interfaces with open space. The Seismic Safety and Safety
Element also states that the City will continue to enforce wildland urban
interface regulations. The proposed General Plan revisions would not change
any of the existing policies or requirements; therefore, the impact of wildland
fire will be less- than - significant.
9. Hydrology and Water Quality
Project Impacts
a) Violate any water quality standards or waste discharge requirements? NT. New
construction anticipated as part of the General Plan revisions is the same as for
the current General Plan and has been included in the Dublin San Ramon
Services District (DSRSD) wastewater master plan. The District holds necessary
waste discharge permits from the Regional Water Quality Control Board and
other applicable agencies. Approval and implementation of the General Plan
would not exceed waste discharge requirements imposed on DSRSD by the
Regional Water Quality Control Board (source: Stan Kolodzie, DSRSD, 2/6/13).
No impacts are expected with respect to this topic.
b) Substantially deplete groundwater recharge areas or lowering of water table? Nf. The
primary source of water to developments in Dublin is imported surface water
supplied by DSRSD and Zone 7 that does not primarily rely on local groundwater.
The General Plan revisions would not affect any existing groundwater
conservation policies or programs and there would therefore be no impact with
lowering of the water table or substantially depleting groundwater recharge areas
as part of the General Plan revisions.
c) Substantially alter drainage patterns, including strearnbed courses such that substantial
siltation or erosion would occur? NI. The General Plan would result in construction
on currently vacant or underutilized properties within the Dublin Planning Area,
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Initial Study /General Plan update February e 3
the same as under the existing General Plan, This construction could result in a
greater quantity of stormwater runoff as a result of increasing the amount of
impervious surfaces. Such new development is regulated by the Conservation
Element. This section contains Guiding Policies to maintain natural hydrologic
systems and the adoption of regulations on steep slopes. Implementing Policies
require that the City enforce the requirements of the Municipal Regional Permit
for stormwater. The above policies are unchanged from existing policies.
The City of Dublin enforces Best Management Practices included in the Alameda
County Clean Water PIan to minimize siltation and erosion from individual sites.
These include both construction and post- construction BMPs, including but not
limited to, requiring installation of silt fences and straw bales on construction sites
and frequent sweeping of parking areas, covering of solid waste dumpsters and
other post- construction measures. Implementation of BMPs is required for all new
development. There would be no significant impacts from altered drainage
patterns, substantial amounts of siltation or erosion because all existing policies
and BMP implementation would continue unchanged and would not be affected
by the proposed General Plan revisions.
d,e) Substantially alter drainage patterns or result in flooding, either on or off the project site,
create stormwater runoff that would exceed the capacity of drainage systems or add
substantial amounts of polluted runoff? NI. Refer to item "c," above.
f) Substantially degrade water qualihj? NI. The City of Dublin requires all individual
development projects, including future development under the General Plan, to
meet Best Management Practices to ensure that water quality would be protected.
Best Management Practices are described above in Section 8c of this Initial Study.
These existing requirements will not be affected by the proposed General Plan
revisions; no impact is anticipated with regard to this topic.
g-i) Place housing within a 100 -year flood hazard area as mapped by a Flood .insurance Rate
Map, or impede or redirect flood flow, including dam failure? NI, No housing sites
identified in the General Plan are located in a 100 -year flood hazard area so there
would be no impact with respect to this topic. This is based on Federal Emergency
Management Agency (FEMA) Flood Insurance Rate Maps Community Panel
Numbers 06001C0302G, 06001CQ304G, 06001C0306G, 06001C0308G, 06001C0309G,
06001C0326G, 06001C0328G, 06001CO329G dated August 3, 2009. These maps are
incorporated by reference into this Initial Study and are available for review at the
Dublin Community Development Department during normal business hours. The
revisions to the General Plan would not change any existing land use designations
to or from residential land use and would not place housing within a flood hazard
area.
Result in inundation by seiche, tsunami or mudflows? LS. There are expected to be no
impacts with regard to seiche, tsunami or mudflows, under the existing General
Plan or the General Plan revisions since development sites would be located inland
from major bodies of water, primarily San Francisco Bay. Protection of public and
private improvements in all Dublin Planning Areas will be provided by adherence
to the Seismic Safe and Safe Element. _t, Safety ....ment. This Element requires all structures to be
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Initial Study /General Plan Update
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February 2013
designed in accordance with the Dublin Building Code and Dublin Grading
Ordinance and that geotechnical reports be prepared for site- specific development
proposals to minimize impacts related to seismic action and hillside slope failure.
The proposed General Plan revisions would not change the requirement for
adherence to these General Plan policies; therefore, this impact would be less-than-
significant.
70. Land Use and Planning
Project Tin acts
a) Physically divide an established community? NI. The General Plan revisions do not
include any Guiding or Implementing Policies that would directly or indirectly
result in the physical division of an existing, established community. Existing
policies regarding "'complete streets," sustainability and the adopted Climate
Action Plan focus on increasing connectivity within the City and between
developments. The proposed General Plan revisions make no changes to these
existing policies other than to include the previously adopted "complete
streets" policy into the General Plan. Therefore, no impacts are anticipated with
respect to this topic.
b) Conflict with any applicable land use plan, policy or regulation? NI. The General Plan
revisions continue to provide an integrated, correlated set of Guiding and
Implementing Policies to protect environmental resources in the Dublin Planning
Area. By State law, the General Plan is the primary and important policy
document governing the developments conservation and protection of resources.
No impact would result with respect to this topic.
c) Conflict with a habitat conservation plan or natural community conservation plan?
NI. See Checklist Item 4 f.
11. Mineral Resources
Project Impacts
a, b Result in the loss of availability of regionally or locally significant mineral resources? NI.
No impacts would occur to any mineral resources, since no such resources are
identified in the Dublin General Plan.
1,2. Noise
Project Impacts
a) Would the project expose persons or generation of noise levels in excess of standards
established by the General Plan or other applicable standard: LS. The Noise Element in
Chapter R of the General Plan identifies existing and anticipated noise in the
community as a result of vehicle traffic and stationary noise, such as industrial and
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Initial Study /General Plan Update February 2013
mechanical equipment. The Noise Element also contains standards of interior and
exterior noise exposure levels by land use type.
The Noise Element notes that traffic is the primary generator of noise in Dublin.
Other noise sources in the community include noise from BART operations and
stationary noise sources associated with land uses and outdoor activities,
Future uses in the community could be exposed to noise levels in excess of noise
exposure standards contained in the Noise Element. Future site- specific
developments would continue to be subject to the Noise Elements guiding and
implementing policies which require new development proposals in Dublin to be
reviewed by an acoustical consultant and appropriate mitigation provided as
feasible. All of the above are existing policies would remain in the General Plan
and would prevent the exposure of future residents to excessive noise levels. The
proposed General Plan revisions would not change the existing policies; therefore,
the impact would be less - than - significant.
b) Exposure of people to excessive groundborne vibration or groundborne noise levels? NI.. It
is unlikely that construction of future development allowed under the General
Plan would result in significant levels of vibration, since, according to the Dublin
Building Official (Gregory Shreeve, 2/4/13) normal construction methods used in
Dublin typically do not employ construction techniques that generate excessive
groundborne vibration. The revisions to the General Plan would not affect
construction techniques; therefore, no impacts are anticipated with regard to this
topic.
c,d) Substantial permanent or temporary increases in permanent in ambient noise levels? LS.
Approval of the General Plan revisions would not directly result in substantial
permanent or temporary increases in ambient noise levels. However, future land
uses that would be built under the auspices of the General Plan would include
residential, commercial, public and other uses in all three Planning Areas that
would generate traffic and also noise. Future development would be re quired to
have individual acoustic assessments per the implementing policies of the Noise
Element to assess noise impacts and ensure that methods to reduce noise to City
standards are included as part of the project.
e,f)
In terms of short -term construction noise impacts, the City of Dublin will continue
to review individual development plans through the Site Development Review
(SDR) process and include necessary conditions of approval to limit hours of
construction so as to minimize noise on adjacent properties. The proposed General
Plan revisions do not change existing Noise Element policies, as noted above;
therefore, project impacts related to permanent and temporary noise generation is
expected to be less - than - significant.
Be located within an airport land use plan area, within two miles of a public or private
airport or airstrip? LS. A number of properties within the Eastern Extended
Planning Area north of I -580, south of Central Parkway, and east of Tassajara Road
to the eastern City limit line are located in the Airport Influence Area (AIA) for the
Livermore Municipal ALtz ort, which is located south of I -580 within the City of
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Initial Study /General Plan Update
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February 2013
Livermore ( source: Livermora Municipal Airport Land Use Compatibility Plan,
2012). These sites will continue to be designated for non - residential uses.
Individual site - specific development proposals within the AIA are required to be
referred to the Alameda County Airport Land Use Commission for a consistency
determination with the Livermore Municipal Airport's Airport Land Use
Compatibility Plan. The Airport Land Use Compatibility Plan adopted the
California Office of Noise Control noise exposure standards are generally
consistent with City of Dublin noise standards.
The proposed General flan revisions would not affect any of the above policies or
procedures. Overall, impacts related to aircraft noise is anticipated to be less -than-
significant.
13. Population and Housing
Project Impacts
a) Induce substantial population growth in an area, either directly or indirectly? NT.
Future development under the revised General Plan would be the same as
would result from the existing General Plan. No changes to land uses,
development intensity, population build -out or the amount of non-residential
development is proposed as part of the General Plan revisions. No impacts are
anticipated.
b,c) Would the project displace substantial numbers of existing housing units or people
requiring replacement housing? NI. Although adoption of the General PIan
revisions would result in new urban development in the community based on
the unchanged land use designations, the General Plan contains no policies or
proposals that would result in substantial displacement of existing dwellings or
people. No impacts are anticipated.
14. Public Services
Project Impacts,
a) Fire protection? LS. The City of Dublin contracts with Alameda County Fire
Department for fire suppression, emergency medical, rescue and fire inspection
services. Fire stations are located are located at 5325 Broder Avenue (Station #
15), 7494 Donohue Drive (Station #1b), 6200 Madigan (Station # 17) and 4800
Fallon Road (Station # 18).
Additional development that could occur in Dublin may result in an increase in
the number of calls for emergency services. However, such additional calls
would not be greater than currently anticipated by the Fire Department, since
the total amount of development anticipated by the General Plan build -out
horizon is no greater than what is currently allowed under the existing General
Plan. Development projects in the City are required to pay fire service facility
City of Dublin Page 40
Initial Study /General Plan Update February 2013
fees to provide for upgraded equipment and other fire service, which fees are
based on current General Plan projections, which are unchanged for the project.
A less -than- significant impact is anticipated with respect to provision of fire
service.
b) Police protection? LS. Similar to fire service, there would likely be an increase in
the number of calls for service to the Dublin Police Services Department based
on an increase in development under the auspices of the General Plan.
However, such an increase would not be greater than currently anticipated,
since there would be no increase in the future build -out of the community. A
less -than- significant impact is anticipated with respect to police service.
c) Schools? LS. Public educational services in Dublin are provided by the Dublin
Unified School District. The District maintains a number of K -12 schools
throughout Dublin. There are also a number of private educational facilities in
the community. Future residential development under the General Plan would
generate additional school-aged children that would need to be accommodated
by local schools; however, new residential development is subject to statutory
school impact fees which will provide for new public educational facilities in
the community.
The Schools, Public Lands and Utilities Element addresses public schools in the
community. This Element includes Guiding and Implementing Policies dealing
with public schools. These policies mandate that the City cooperate with the
Dublin Unified School District to ensure provision of adequate school facilities
in both Extended Planning Areas and to ensure preservation of surplus school
sites.
Overall, the General Plan revisions would have a less - than- significant impact
with respect to public schools since existing policies and development'potential
would not change under the proposed General Plan revisions.
d) Maintenance of publie facilities, including roads? LS. Any new public facilities that
would be constructed as part of any future development would be constructed
to City engineering and construction standards so that a less than- significant
impact would occur.
e) Solid waste generation? LS, See item 17, below.
15. Recreation
Projects acts
a) Would the project increase the use of existing neighborhood or regional parks? LS. New
dwellings and other development would require new or expanded parks in
order to maintain the City's park goal. City park goals are to provide a total of 5
usable acres of parkland per 1,000 residents, which includes 3.5 acres of larger
community parks per 1,000 residents and 1.5 acres of smaller neighborhood
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parks or squares per 1,000 residents. The City also encourages development of
an integrated trail network and other open spaces that are not included in the
park ratio goals (Source: City of Dublin Parks and Recreation Master Plan,
February, 2004). The City of Dublin requires housing developers to either
dedicate parkland to the City to meet City goals or pay an in -lieu fee that allows
the City to purchase parkland.
The Parks and Open Space Element includes guiding policies that, continue to
direct the City to expand park area throughout the Primary and Extended
Planning Areas to serve new development. as well as to maintain and improve
existing outdoor facilities; continue to mandate that additional parks be
provided in the Eastern Extended Planning Area as well as a trail system along
Tassajara Creek and within natural creek areas; and, continue to require a north -
south trail link across the Western Extended Planning Area as well as other local
trails in the western portion of Dublin.
Regional parks in the Dublin Planning Area are provided by the East Bay
Regional Park District.
The proposed revisions to the Parks and Open Space Element include new
implementing policies to maintain and periodically update the Parks and
Recreation Master Plan and establishing the Parks and Recreation Master Plan
as the action program for preserving and providing opext space for outdoor
recreation. No changes are proposed to the City's park dedication requirement.
These new policies expand and supplement existing policies; therefore, project
impacts to local and regional parks would be less - than - significant.
b) Does the project include recreational facilities or require the construction of recreational
facilities? NI. The Parks and Open Space Element continues to mandate that the
City of Dublin expand park area throughout the Primary and Extended
Planning Areas to serve new development and directs the City to acquire and
improve parklands in conformance with the City's Parks and Recreation Master
Plan. The General Plan revisions make no change to these existing policies;
therefore, no impacts would occur with respect to this topic.
16. Transportation /Traffic
Project Impacts
a, b Cause an increase in traffic which is substantial relative to existing traffic load and
street; or exceed LOS standards established by the County CMA for designated roads?
LS. There would likely be increases in traffic on local roads, regional roads and
freeways as a result of implementing the General Plan revisions, the same as
for the existing General Plan.
The Circulation and Scenic Highways Element includes roadway standards
that mandates local roadways be designed to accommodate forecasted traffic
loads, minimize traffic congestion during peak periods and that adequate road
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Initial Study /General Plan Update February 2013
rights -of-way be reserved for future roadways. Other Guiding Policies state
that City shall consider the Tri -Valley Transportation Plan and that the City
shall strive to phase roadway improvements so that intersections operate at
LOS "D" or better, although certain intersections in the Downtown Dublin
Specific Plan area are exempt from this Policy.
In terms of regional circulation, the Circulation and Scenic Highways EIement
states that the City will comply with provisions of the Alameda County
Transportation Commission (ACTC) Congestion Management Program and
will review individual site - specific development projects to ensure compliance
with this program. This Element also states that the City will work to improve
freeway access.
The Land Use Element revisions would not increase the build -out population
of Dublin or the amount of non-residential square footage over the current
General Plan. Revisions in the Circulation and Scenic PTighways Element add
the adopted Complete Streets Policy into the General Plan, reflect agency name
changes, and remove detailed roadway design standards that are more
appropriately located in administrative standards. The General Plan revisions
are minor and generally organizational in nature; they do not affect traffic
demand or proposed roadway or other improvements, nor existing policies for
compliance with regional regulatory and review standards. Therefore, project
impacts related to traffic increases would be less-than-significant.
C) Result in a change of air traffic patterns? NI. The General Plan revisions would
have no impact on air traffic patterns and do not include any policies or
programs that would change or modify any existing air traffic pattern.
d) Substantially increase hazards due to a design feature or incompatible use? LS. Future
individual development projects that would be proposed in Dublin under the
General Plan revisions would continue to be reviewed by City of Dublin staff
to ensure that the City public works and engineering standards are met and no
traffic or transportation design or incompatibility hazards would be created.
This would be a less - than - significant impact as V proposed General Plan
revisions would not affect existing review procedures or standards.
e) Result in inadequate emergency access? NI.. No impacts would occur with regard
to emergency access. Future development would be on lands already planned
for urban development and subject to City design standards for streets and
other improvements. Furthermore, any future construction is routinely
reviewed by the Dublin Police Services Department and Alameda County Fire
Department to ensure that adequate emergency access is provided. The
General Plan revisions would not change these standards or procedures.
f) Conflict with adopted policies, plans or programs regarding public transit, bicycle or
pedestrian facilities or otherwise decrease the performance or safety of such facilities?
NI. There would be no impacts with respect to this topic. The Circulation and
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Initial StudylGeneral Plan Update February 2013
Scenic Highways Element contains alternative transportation policies to
promote local transit use and walkability of enhanced pedestrian areas
17. Utilities and Service Systems
Project impacts
a) Exceed wastewater treatment requirements of the RWQCB? NI, The General Plan
revisions do not increase the build -out population or the amount of non-
residential square footages contained in the existing General Plan, which as
been used as the basis of the Dublin San Ramon Services District Wastewater
Master Plan. District officials have indicated that wastewater collection,
treatment and disposal service is based on the current General Plan land use,
density nd build-out assumptions. Since these assumptions have not changed
with the General Plan revisions, no impacts would occur with respect to this
topic (source: Stan Kolodzie, DSRSD, 2/6/13).
b) Require new water or wastewater treatment facilities or expansion of existing facilities?
NI. Based on recent discussions with DSRSD staff (Stan Kolodzie, 2/ 6/13), the
District has made projections in their 2010 Urban Water Management PIan and
Wastewater Master Plan based on the current General Plan. Per DSRSD staff,
adequate water and wastewater treatment and disposal capacity exist to serve
the build -out population of Dublin set forth in the current General Plan. Since
the General Plan revisions would not increase the amount of development or
population over current assumptions, no impact would result with respect to
this topic.
c) Require new storm drainage facilities? NI. Refer to Section 9c of this Initial Study.
d) Are sufficient water supplies available? NI. Based on discussions with DSRSD
staff, as noted above, the District has adequate water supplies to serve the
current General Plan buildout for the City of Dublin, including both residential
and non - residential development. Since the General Plan revisions would not
increase the number of residences or the amount of nonresidential
development from current General Plan assumptions, no impact would result.
e) Adequate wastewater capacity to serve the proposed project? LS. See item "a," above.
f) Solid waste disposal? LS. The City's three Planning Areas are located within the
franchise area of Amador Valley Industries that provides residential and
commercial solid waste pick-up and recycling services. Discussions with the staff
of Altamont Landfill (the ultimate disposal site for Dublin and other Tri- Valley
communities) indicate that adequate permitted solid waste disposal capacity is
available for 25 to 30 years (source. Diana Nural, Waste Management, Inc,
12/14/12). This impact would be less- than - significant.
g) Comply with federal, state and local statutes and regulations related to solid waste NI. The
existing service provider, Amador Valley Industries, will ensure adherence to
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Initial Study /General Plan Update February w13
federal, state and local solid waste regulations. No impact would result with
respect to this topic.
18. Mandatory Findings of Significance
a) roes the project have the potential to 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 self-sustaining levels, threaten to eliminate a plant or animal
comrnunity, reduce the number of 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? No. The preceding analysis indicates that the General Plan revisions
would not have a significant adverse impact on cultural resources or have the
potential to restrict the range of rare or endangered species, based on existing
applicable biological resource Guiding and Implementing Policies that are also
contained in the Conservation Element, as well as extensive regulation at
federal and state levels.
b) Does the project 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 future
projects). No, cumulative impacts of the General Plan revisions have been
identified in this Initial Study. Adherence to applicable Guiding and
Implementing Polices, as well as applicable federal, state and local regulations
(including the City's specific plans, zoning and development regulations, and
past practices) would not be changed from existing provisions and procedures;
therefore, no significant cumulative impacts would occur from the proposed
General Plan revisions.
c) Does the project have environmental effects which will cause substantial adverse effects
on human beings, either directly or indirectly? No. Based on the preceding Initial
Study, no substantial effects to human beings, either directly or indirectly have
been identified from the proposed revisions.
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Initial Study /General Plan Update February 2013
Initial Study Preparers
Jerry Haag, Urban Planner, project manager and principal author
Jane Maxwell, report graphics
Agencies and Organizations Consulted
The following agencies and organizations were contacted in the course of this Initial
Study:
Cihj of Dublin:
Marnie Delgado, Senior Planner
Kit Faubion, Assistant City Attorney
Gregory Shreeve, Building Official
Dublin San Damon Services District
Stan Kolozdie, staff engineer
Waste Management, ,Inc.
Diana Nural
References
California Department of Toxic Substances Control, website, January 2013
Final Services District, Urban Water Management Plan. 201Update, Dublin San Ramon
tct, June 2011
Dublin General Plan. City of Dublin, Updated through 3/ 23/12
Dublin Historic Resources Identification Project Page &Turnbull, 2004
Alameda County Airport Land Use Commission, August 201
Parks and Recreation Master Plan City of Dublin, 2006 update
Sewer System Management Plan Dublin San Ramon Services District,
updated September 2012
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Initial Study /General Plan Update February 2013