This Project was reviewed pursuant to the guidelines of the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) and determined to be categorically exempt under Section 15332, Class 32: "In-fill Development Projects" of the CEQA Guidelines in that the Project is consistent with the General Plan designation and all applicable General Plan policies, the Project site is less than five acres and surrounded by urban uses. The 1.59-acre site encompasses a portion of an open field area, south of Our Lady of Guadalupe Catholic Church, that has been utilized for church-related activities (a.k.a. McCarty Field). To the east, there are existing apartments (Monte Vista Manor Apartments) and additional multi-unit dwellings that front along Monte Vista Street. To the south, there is a portion of Guadalupe Park as well as the Union Pacific Railroad. To the west, there is an existing neighborhood of single-unit homes. The Conservation/Natural Resources chapter of the General Plan does not identify the Project site as an area of biological sensitivity. As a result, the Project site has no value as a habitat for rare, endangered or threatened fish or wildlife. The Project would not cause significant impacts to traffic, noise, air quality, or water quality. Based on the ITE trip generation rates, the proposed Project is forecast to generate approximately 151 daily trips, which include approximately 10 AM peak hour trips and 12 PM peak hour trips. The Project's trip generation does not exceed the typical 50 peak hour trip threshold nor the County of Orange's 200 daily trip threshold. As such, the proposed Project is not expected to result in any significant adverse impacts on the operations of the roadway network and intersections and traffic impact analysis is not required. Furthermore, based on the North Orange County Collaborative VMT Traffic Study Screening Tool (NOCC+), the proposed Project is screened out from a full VMT analysis based on its location within a Low VMT Area and is presumed to have a less than significant impact on VMT under CEQA Therefore, no additional VMT analysis is required. The very low trip generation from the Project also results in less than significant operational noise and air quality impacts. Construction noise and air quality impacts are governed by the La Habra Municipal Code and AQMD Rule 403. The Project does not require import or export of dirt and the grading quantities are minimal. Prior to discharging storm flows into an existing storm drain, the Project will treat the initial storm runoff through a modular wetland system or similar water quality BMP, ensuring compliance with the MS4 requirements. Because this is a redevelopment project, the site can and will continue to be adequately served by all utilities and public services. 

The Project is not subject to any of the exceptions for exemption under Section 15300.2 of the CEQA Guidelines. The cumulative impact of this Project, and the approval of other projects like it in the vicinity, is not expected to have any significant environmental impact. The Project is not located along any state-designated scenic highway nor within any designated hazardous waste site. Staff does not expect any significant impacts or unusual circumstances related to the approval and construction of the Project.

Staff is recommending that the Planning Commission find that LLA 24-0002 is categorically exempt from CEQA and that the Planning Commission recommend that the City Council find that PUD 24-0001 is categorically exempt from CEQA.

That the Planning Commission approve and adopt:

 

A RESOLUTION OF THE PLANNING COMMISSION OF THE CITY OF LA HABRA, CALIFORNIA, MAKING THE REQUIRED FINDINGS AND (1) APPROVING LOT LINE ADJUSTMENT (LLA) 24-0002 TO RELOCATE AN EXISTING LOT LINE IN ORDER TO ESTABLISH A 1.59 ACRE LOT, AS PER THE APPROVED PLANS AND SUBJECT TO CONDITIONS; AND (2) RECOMMENDING THAT THE CITY COUNCIL APPROVE PLANNED UNIT DEVELOPMENT (PUD) 24-0001 TO CONSTRUCT 21 DWELLINGS UNITS (APARTMENT HOMES) INCLUDING TWO AFFORDABLE UNITS FOR RENT TO MODERATE-INCOME HOUSEHOLDS ON SAID 1.59 ACRE LOT AT THE PROPERTIES CURRENTLY ADDRESSED AS 900-970 WEST LA HABRA BOULEVARD (ASSESSOR'S PARCEL NUMBERS 298-121-01, 298-011-021 AND 298-011-22), AS PER THE APPROVED PLANS AND SUBJECT TO CONDITIONS, AND MAKING THE DETERMINATION THAT LLA 24-0002 IS EXEMPT FROM THE CALIFORNIA ENVIRONMENTAL QUALITY ACT (CEQA) PURSUANT TO SECTION 15332, CLASS 32: "INFILL DEVELOPMENT PROJECTS" OF THE CEQA GUIDELINES