PC 2000-45 - Laserfiche WebLink

~I. UNAVOIDABLE, ADVERSE ENVIRONMENTAL EFFECTS These findings identify those project impacts that, even with mitigation, cannot be redv~ced to a less than significant level. These significant, unavoidable impacts are acceptable when balanced against the considerations set forth below and in the Stat~nmnt ofOverriding Consideratinns. The infeasibility ofaltematives (Cooperative Plan, the Preferred Plan, the No Golf Course Plan and the County adopted Specific Plan) analyzed in the EIR is discussed below. A. Land Use 1. I~.~.: Conversion of agricultural land to non-agricultural uses. Miti~alion Measure: None. ~: Specific economic, social, or other considerations make infeasible mitigation measures or project alternatives identified in the Final EIR. Facts in Su~_ not~ of Finding: The following facts demonstrate that it is not feasible to mitigate the impact to a less than significant level. a. By definition, if a soil meets the Soil Conversation Service's criteria for designation as prime farmland, removal or disruption of that land constitutes a significant, adverse impact. Because approximately 500 out orS10 acres on the Bemal Property site are designated as prime agricultural farmland, implementation of the Greenbriar Project, both at the project and cumulative level, cannot avoid this outcome. b. Converting the land's use from that of agriculture to one of an urban nature has been anticipated in the City's planning process since 1965, when the General Plan proposed the site be developed with industrial uses. In 1986, the newly revised General Plan designated the Bernal Property as "Specific Plan", allowing for development of the site in mixed use. It is not possible to develop the property with a mixed use development and preserve any agricultural use of the site given the incompatibility of agricultural uses with urban residential, commercial and currently unplanned future public uses. Pleasanton adopted a finding of overriding consideration for converting this area to urbanized uses in 1996 as it adopted its General Plan. c. The Alameda County EIIL prepared in 1995 for the Bernal Property Specific Plan proposed in that time, includes a detailed analysis of the project's consistency with the East County Area Plan (ECAP). While the ECAP typically considers the conversion of prime agricultural lands a significant, adverse impact, it also recognizes the geographical isolation of the Bernal Property from other agricultural uses. The ECAP acknowledges that, "in spite of this area's prime soil designation, its value for 51