Laserfiche WebLink
Overriding Considerations. <br />As explained in greater detail in the Statement of Overriding Considerations below, the <br />environmental, economic, social and other benefits of the Environmentally Superior <br />Project override any remaining significant adverse impacts of the project resulting from <br />cumulative traffic impacts. <br />VII. Findings and Statement of Overriding Consideration <br />Pursuant to Public Resources Code section 21081 and CEQA Guidelines <br />Section 15093, this City adopts and makes the following Statement of Overriding <br />Considerations regarding: (1) the significant and unavoidable impacts from the <br />cumulative increase in traffic under the Environmentally Superior Project which would <br />contribute to unsatisfactory levels of service at the Bernal Avenue/I-680 South Bound <br />on-ramp and at the Santa Rita RoadNalley Avenue intersection; and (2) the significant <br />and unavoidable impact from the cumulative loss of blue oak woodlands under the <br />Environmentally Superior Project which would contribute to loss in the spatial continuity <br />of the plant community,. <br />The City finds and determines that all but two of the significant impacts of the <br />Environmentally Superior Project will be reduced to acceptable levels by the mitigation <br />measures recommended in these Findings. However, as set forth above, the City's <br />approval of the Environmentally Superior Project as proposed will result in two <br />significant adverse environmental cumulative traffic effects that cannot be avoided even <br />with the incorporation of all feasible mitigation. The City chooses to approve the <br />Environmentally Superior Project because, in its view, the benefits resulting from the <br />Environmentally Superior Project will render the significant effects acceptable. <br />The following statement identifies the reasons why, in the City's judgment, the benefits <br />of the Environmentally Superior Project outweigh the two significant and unavoidable <br />impacts. The substantial evidence supporting the enumerated benefits of the <br />Environmentally Superior Project can be found in these findings, in the Environmentally <br />Superior Project itself, and in the record of proceedings. Each of the overriding <br />considerations set forth below constitute a separate and independent ground for <br />findings that the benefits of the Environmentally Superior Project outweigh its two <br />significant adverse environmental effects and is an overriding consideration warranting <br />approval. <br />The City finds that the Environmentally Superior Project, as approved, would have the <br />following benefits: <br />1. Require the dedication of four hundred ninety-seven (497) acres as permanent <br />open space for community benefit; <br />Page 43 of 45 <br />