HomeMy WebLinkAboutTable of Contents
751 Gateway Boulevard Project i September 2020
ICF 0662.19
Contents
Tables ..................................................................................................................................................... v
Figures .................................................................................................................................................. vii
Acronyms and Abbreviations .............................................................................................................. viii
Chapter 1 Introduction ...................................................................................................................... 1-1
1.1 Project Summary ................................................................................................................... 1-1
1.2 Purpose of This Draft EIR ....................................................................................................... 1-1
1.3 Environmental Review Process .............................................................................................. 1-2
1.3.1 Notice of Preparation .................................................................................................... 1-2
1.3.2 Draft Environmental Impact Report .............................................................................. 1-3
1.3.3 Final Environmental Impact Report ............................................................................... 1-5
1.4 Report Organization ............................................................................................................... 1-6
Chapter 2 Executive Summary .......................................................................................................... 2-1
2.1 Summary Description ............................................................................................................. 2-1
2.2 751 Gateway Boulevard Project Impacts and Mitigation Measures ...................................... 2-2
2.2.1 Alternatives .................................................................................................................. 2-31
2.2.2 Environmentally Superior Alternative ......................................................................... 2-32
2.2.3 Areas of Known Controversy and Issues to be Resolved ............................................. 2-33
Chapter 3 Project Description ........................................................................................................... 3-1
3.1 Overview ................................................................................................................................ 3-1
3.1.1 Project Objectives .......................................................................................................... 3-2
3.1.2 Project Location ............................................................................................................. 3-3
3.2 Existing Setting ....................................................................................................................... 3-3
3.2.1 Regional Setting ............................................................................................................. 3-3
3.2.2 Surrounding Land Uses .................................................................................................. 3-6
3.2.3 Site Setting ..................................................................................................................... 3-6
3.3 Description of the Proposed Project .................................................................................... 3-11
3.3.1 Proposed Project Buildout ........................................................................................... 3-11
3.3.2 Proposed Project Site Plan ........................................................................................... 3-11
3.3.3 Transportation Demand Management Plan ................................................................ 3-23
3.3.4 Lead Agency Approvals ................................................................................................ 3-24
City of South San Francisco
Contents
751 Gateway Boulevard Project ii September 2020
ICF 0662.19
Chapter 4 Environmental Setting, Impacts, and Mitigation ............................................................ 4.1-1
4.1 Approach to Environmental Analysis .................................................................................. 4.1-1
4.1.1 Introduction to Analysis .............................................................................................. 4.1-1
4.1.2 Format of the Environmental Analysis ....................................................................... 4.1-1
4.1.3 Public Resources Code Section 21099 ........................................................................ 4.1-3
4.1.4 Approach to Baseline Setting ...................................................................................... 4.1-4
4.1.5 Approach to Cumulative Impact Analysis ................................................................... 4.1-7
4.2 Air Quality ..................................................................................................................... 4.2-1
4.2.1 Introduction .................................................................................................................. 4.2-1
4.2.2 Environmental Setting .................................................................................................. 4.2-1
4.2.3 Regulatory Framework ................................................................................................. 4.2-9
4.2.4 Impacts and Mitigation Measures .............................................................................. 4.2-15
4.3 Biological Resources ........................................................................................................... 4.3-1
4.3.1 Introduction ................................................................................................................ 4.3-1
4.3.2 Environmental Setting ................................................................................................ 4.3-1
4.3.3 Regulatory Framework ............................................................................................... 4.3-1
4.3.4 Impacts and Mitigation Measures .............................................................................. 4.3-7
4.4 Cultural Resources .............................................................................................................. 4.4-1
4.4.1 Introduction ................................................................................................................ 4.4-1
4.4.2 Environmental Setting ................................................................................................ 4.4-1
4.4.3 Regulatory Framework ............................................................................................... 4.4-4
4.4.4 Impacts and Mitigation Measures .............................................................................. 4.4-7
4.5 Energy ................................................................................................................................. 4.5-1
4.5.1 Introduction ................................................................................................................ 4.5-1
4.5.2 Environmental Setting ................................................................................................ 4.5-1
4.5.3 Regulatory Framework ............................................................................................... 4.5-5
4.5.4 Impacts and Mitigation Measures ............................................................................ 4.5-10
4.6 Geology and Soils ................................................................................................................ 4.6-1
4.6.1 Introduction ................................................................................................................ 4.6-1
4.6.2 Environmental Setting ................................................................................................ 4.6-1
4.6.3 Regulatory Framework ............................................................................................... 4.6-5
4.6.4 Impacts and Mitigation Measures .............................................................................. 4.6-8
4.7 Greenhouse Gas Emissions ................................................................................................. 4.7-1
4.7.1 Introduction ................................................................................................................ 4.7-1
4.7.2 Environmental Setting ................................................................................................ 4.7-1
4.7.3 Regulatory Framework .............................................................................................. 4.7-5
4.7.4 Impacts and Mitigation Measures ............................................................................ 4.7-14
City of South San Francisco
Contents
751 Gateway Boulevard Project iii September 2020
ICF 0662.19
4.8 Noise and Vibration ............................................................................................................ 4.8-1
4.8.1 Introduction ................................................................................................................ 4.8-1
4.8.2 Environmental Setting ................................................................................................ 4.8-1
4.8.3 Regulatory Framework .............................................................................................. 4.8-8
4.8.4 Impacts and Mitigation Measures ............................................................................ 4.8-13
4.9 Transportation and Circulation ........................................................................................... 4.9-1
4.9.1 Introduction ................................................................................................................ 4.9-1
4.9.2 Environmental Setting ................................................................................................ 4.9-1
4.9.3 Regulatory Framework .............................................................................................. 4.9-9
4.9.4 Impacts and Mitigation Measures ............................................................................ 4.9-14
4.10 Less-than-Significant Impacts ........................................................................................... 4.10-1
4.10.1 Aesthetics ................................................................................................................. 4.10-1
4.10.2 Agricultural and Forest Resources ............................................................................ 4.10-7
4.10.3 Hazards and Hazardous Materials .......................................................................... 4.10-10
4.10.4 Hydrology and Water Quality ................................................................................. 4.10-23
4.10.5 Land Use ................................................................................................................. 4.10-35
4.10.6 Mineral Resources .................................................................................................. 4.10-45
4.10.7 Population and Housing .......................................................................................... 4.10-46
4.10.8 Public Services ........................................................................................................ 4.10-54
4.10.9 Recreation ............................................................................................................... 4.10-60
4.10.10 Utilities .................................................................................................................... 4.10-64
4.10.11 Wildfire ................................................................................................................... 4.10-78
Chapter 5 Alternatives ...................................................................................................................... 5-1
5.1 Introduction ........................................................................................................................... 5-1
5.1.1 Project Objectives .......................................................................................................... 5-2
5.1.2 Significant Impacts of the Project .................................................................................. 5-2
5.2 Alternatives Considered but Rejected ................................................................................... 5-3
5.2.1 Alternative with Podium Parking ................................................................................... 5-3
5.2.2 Reduced Height Alternative ........................................................................................... 5-4
5.2.3 Residential Land Use Alternative ................................................................................... 5-4
5.2.4 Mixed-Use (Residential, Office, and R&D) Alternative .................................................. 5-5
5.2.5 Mixed Use (Retail, Office, and R&D) Alternative ........................................................... 5-5
5.2.6 Alternative Project Location .......................................................................................... 5-6
5.3 Alternatives Selected for Further Review .............................................................................. 5-7
5.4 Alternative A—No Project Alternative ................................................................................... 5-9
5.4.1 Description ................................................................................................................... 5-10
City of South San Francisco
Contents
751 Gateway Boulevard Project iv September 2020
ICF 0662.19
5.4.2 Ability to Meet Project Objectives ............................................................................... 5-10
5.4.3 Impacts ........................................................................................................................ 5-10
5.5 Alternative B—Reduced Surface Parking Lot Demolition Alternative ................................. 5-13
5.5.1 Description ................................................................................................................... 5-13
5.5.2 Ability to Meet Project Objectives ............................................................................... 5-14
5.5.3 Impacts ........................................................................................................................ 5-15
5.6 Alternative C—Reduced Building Footprint Alternative ...................................................... 5-19
5.6.1 Description ................................................................................................................... 5-19
5.6.2 Ability to Meet Project Objectives ............................................................................... 5-20
5.6.3 Impacts ........................................................................................................................ 5-21
5.7 Environmentally Superior Alternative ................................................................................. 5-25
Chapter 6 Other CEQA Considerations .............................................................................................. 6-1
6.1 Mandatory Findings of Significance ....................................................................................... 6-1
6.1.1 Quality of the Environment .............................................................................................. 6-1
6.1.2 Impacts on Species ........................................................................................................... 6-1
6.1.3 Impacts on Historical Resources ...................................................................................... 6-2
6.1.4 Long-Term Impacts .......................................................................................................... 6-2
6.1.5 Impacts on Human Beings ............................................................................................... 6-2
6.2 Cumulative Impacts ............................................................................................................... 6-3
6.3 Significant Environmental Effects that Cannot Be Avoided ................................................... 6-4
6.4 Significant Irreversible Environmental Changes .................................................................... 6-5
6.4.1 Energy and Consumption of Nonrenewable Resources .................................................. 6-6
6.5 Growth-Inducing Impacts ...................................................................................................... 6-7
6.5.1 Projected Growth ............................................................................................................ 6-8
Chapter 7 List of Report Preparers .................................................................................................... 7-1
7.1 Lead Agency ........................................................................................................................... 7-1
7.2 Consulting Team .................................................................................................................... 7-1
7.3 Project Sponsor Team ............................................................................................................ 7-2
7.4 Organizations and Persons Consulted ................................................................................... 7-2
Appendix A Notice of Preparation and Comments
Appendix B Air Quality and Greenhouse Gas Materials
Appendix C Assembly Bill 52 Consultation Materials
Appendix D Transportation Impact Analysis
City of South San Francisco
Contents
751 Gateway Boulevard Project v
September 2020
ICF 0662.19
Tables
2-1 Summary of Project Impacts and Mitigation Measures ............................................................... 2-3
3-1 Summary of Existing Site Characteristics ..................................................................................... 3-6
3-2 Proposed Project Features ......................................................................................................... 3-12
3-3 Required Permits and Approvals for the Proposed Project ....................................................... 3-25
4.2-1 Ambient Air Quality Data at the San Francisco-Arkansas Monitoring Station (2016–2018) ..... 4.2-6
4.2-2 Federal and State Ambient Air Quality Attainment Status for San Mateo County ................... 4.2-8
4.2-3 Federal and State Ambient Air Quality Standards ................................................................... 4.2-10
4.2-4 BAAQMD Project-Level Regional Criteria Pollutant Emission Thresholds ............................... 4.2-16
4.2-5 Estimated Unmitigated Criteria Pollutant Emissions from Construction of the Proposed
Project (pounds/day) ............................................................................................................... 4.2-26
4.2-6 Estimated Mitigated Criteria Pollutant Emissions from Construction of the Proposed
Project (pounds/day) ............................................................................................................... 4.2-27
4.2-7 Estimated Criteria Pollutant Emissions from Operation of the Proposed Project
(pounds/day) ........................................................................................................................... 4.2-29
4.2-8 Mitigated Project-level Cancer and Chronic Hazard Risks and PM2.5 Concentrations During
Construction ............................................................................................................................ 4.2-32
4.2-9 Project-level Cancer and Chronic Hazard Risks and PM.5 Concentrations During Operation .... 4.2-33
4.2-10 Maximum Mitigated Cumulative Health Risks from the Proposed Project ............................. 4.2-36
4.4-1 Cultural Resources within 0.25 Mile of the Project Site ............................................................ 4.4-8
4.5-1 PG&E, PCE, and the State of California Power Mix in 2018 ....................................................... 4.5-3
4.5-2 Electricity and Natural Gas Consumption in the City of South San Francisco, 2010–2015 ....... 4.5-4
4.5-3 Existing Energy Consumption at the Project Site ...................................................................... 4.5-5
4.5-4 Estimated Construction Energy Consumption from the Project (Million BTUs) ...................... 4.5-12
4.5-5 Estimated Operational Energy Consumption of the Proposed Project ................................... 4.5-14
4.6-1 Regional Faults and Seismicity .................................................................................................. 4.6-2
4.7-1 Lifetimes and Global Warming Potentials of Key Greenhouse Gases ....................................... 4.7-2
4.7-2 Global, National, State, and Regional Greenhouse Gas Emission Inventories .......................... 4.7-3
4.7-3 Estimated Construction GHG Emissions from the Proposed Project (metric tons) ................. 4.7-19
4.7-4 Estimated GHG Emissions from Operation of the Proposed Project (metric tons/year) ........ 4.7-22
City of South San Francisco
Contents
751 Gateway Boulevard Project vi September 2020
ICF 0662.19
4.8-1 Definition of Sound Measurements .......................................................................................... 4.8-2
4.8-2 Typical A-weighted Sound Levels .............................................................................................. 4.8-3
4.8-3 Vibration Source Levels for Construction Equipment ............................................................... 4.8-6
4.8-4 Vibration Damage Potential Threshold Criteria Guidelines ...................................................... 4.8-7
4.8-5 Vibration Annoyance Potential Criteria Guidelines ................................................................... 4.8-7
4.8-6 Modeled Existing Noise Levels within 0.5 Mile of the Project Site ........................................... 4.8-9
4.8-7 General Plan Land Use Criteria for Noise-Impacted Areas ...................................................... 4.8-11
4.8-8 City of South San Francisco Noise Level Standards ................................................................. 4.8-11
4.8-9 Noise from Equipment Proposed for Project Construction (Leq) ............................................. 4.8-16
4.8-10 Combined Project Construction Noise Levels at Various Distances from 7:00 to 8:00 a.m.
(Lmax and Leq) ............................................................................................................................ 4.8-17
4.8-11 Combined Project Construction Noise Levels at Various Distances During Nighttime
Concrete Pours (Lmax and Leq) ................................................................................................... 4.8-18
4.8-12 Modeled Traffic Noise Impacts on Existing Land Uses ............................................................ 4.8-22
4.8-13 Modeled Cumulative Traffic Noise Impacts ............................................................................ 4.8-29
4.9-1 Home-Based Work Vehicle Miles Traveled Per Employee Threshold ..................................... 4.9-16
4.9-2 Home-Based Work Vehicle Miles Traveled per Employee ...................................................... 4.9-16
4.9-3 Project Trip Generation ........................................................................................................... 4.9-19
4.9-4 VMT Impact Determination ..................................................................................................... 4.9-23
4.9-5 Existing Weekday Morning Peak Hour 95th Percentile Queues ............................................. 4.9-27
4.9-6 Cumulative Weekday Morning Peak Hour 95th Percentile Queues ........................................ 4.9-28
4.10-1 Hazardous Materials Sites within 0.25 Mile of the Project Site ............................................ 4.10-17
4.10-2 Population, Households, and Job Growth Projections, 2010–2040 ...................................... 4.10-49
4.10-3 Estimated Project Demand for Fire Protection and Emergency Medical Response ............. 4.10-56
4.10-4 Estimated Police Protection Incidents Generated by the Proposed Project ......................... 4.10-58
4.10-5 Open Space and Recreational Facilities within 1 Mile of the Project Site ............................. 4.10-63
4.10-6 Estimated Existing and Proposed Water Demand ................................................................. 4.10-72
5-1 Comparison of Main Features of the Proposed Project to the Alternatives ................................ 5-9
5-2 Comparison of Proposed Project Significant Impacts and Less-than-Significant Impacts with
Mitigation to Alternatives .......................................................................................................... 5-27
City of South San Francisco
Contents
751 Gateway Boulevard Project vii September 2020
ICF 0662.19
Figures
3-1 Project Location ............................................................................................................................ 3-4
3-2 Existing Project Site ...................................................................................................................... 3-5
3-3 Existing General Plan Land Use and Zoning Designations ............................................................ 3-8
3-4 Conceptual Project Site Plan ...................................................................................................... 3-13
3-5 Conceptual Floor Plan (Floor 1) .................................................................................................. 3-15
3-6 Conceptual Floor Plan (Floors 3- 7) ............................................................................................ 3-16
3-7 Conceptual Elevations (North and South) .................................................................................. 3-17
3-8 Conceptual Elevations (East and West) ...................................................................................... 3-18
4.1-1 Location of Baseline and Cumulative Projects .......................................................................... 4.1-5
4.9-1 Project Location and Study Intersections .................................................................................. 4.9-2
4.9-2 Existing Transit Facilities ........................................................................................................... 4.9-4
4.9-3 Existing and Planned Bicycle Facilities ....................................................................................... 4.9-7
4.9-4 Project Trip Distribution .......................................................................................................... 4.9-21
4.9-5 Project Trip Assignment .......................................................................................................... 4.9-22
4.9-6 Components of Mitigation Measure TR-1 ............................................................................... 4.9-25
City of South San Francisco
Acronyms and Abbreviations
751 Gateway Boulevard Project viii September 2020
ICF 0662.19
Acronyms and Abbreviations
µg/m3 micrograms per cubic meter
AB Assembly Bill
ABAG Association of Bay Area Governments
ADA Americans with Disabilities Act
AIA Airport Influence Area
ALUC San Mateo County Airport Land Use Commission
ALUCP Airport Land Use Compatibility Plan
ALUCs Airport Land Use Commissions
AMS alternate mode share
amsl above mean sea level
APNs Assessor’s Parcel Numbers
BAAQMD Bay Area Air Quality Management District
BART Bay Area Rapid Transit
BC Business Commercial
BCDC San Francisco Bay Conservation and Development Commission
bgs below ground surface
BMPs best management practices
BTU British thermal unit
C/CAG City/County Association of Governments
CAA Clean Air Act
CAAQS California Ambient Air Quality Standards
CAFÉ standards Corporate Average Fuel Economy Standards
cal BP calibrated years before present
CAL FIRE California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection
CalEEMod California Emissions Estimator Model
CalEPA California Environmental Protection Agency
CalRecycle California Department of Resources Recycling and Recovery
Caltrans California Department of Transportation
CAMUTCD California Manual on Uniform Traffic Control Devices
CAP Climate Action Plan
CARB California Air Resources Board
CCAs Community Choice Aggregators
CCR California Code of Regulations
CCR Code of Regulations
CDFW California Department of Fish and Wildlife
CEC California Energy Commission
City of South San Francisco
Acronyms and Abbreviations
751 Gateway Boulevard Project ix September 2020
ICF 0662.19
CEQA California Environmental Quality Act
CESA California Endangered Species Act
CFR Code of Federal Regulations
CH4 methane
CMA Congestion Management Agency
CMP Congestion Management Program
CNDDB California Natural Diversity Database
CNEL Community Noise Equivalent Level
CNPPA California Native Plant Protection Act of 1977
CO carbon monoxide
CO2 carbon dioxide
CO2e carbon dioxide equivalent
CPUC California Public Utilities Commission
CRHR California Register of Historical Resources
CWA Clean Water Act
dB decibel
dBA A-weighted decibel
dBC C-weighted decibel
DPM diesel particulate matter
DTSC Department of Toxic Substances Control
EIR Environmental Impact Report
EO Executive Order
EPA Environmental Protection Agency
ESPs energy service providers
FAA Federal Aviation Administration
FAR floor area ratio
FEMA Federal Emergency Management Agency
FESA Federal Endangered Species Act
FHWA Federal Highway Administration
FTA Federal Transit Administration
GHG greenhouse gas
GSAs Groundwater Sustainability Agencies
GSPD Gateway Specific Plan District
GSPs Groundwater Sustainability Plans
GWP global warming potential
HBW home-based work
HFCs hydroflourocarbons
HI hazard index
HRA health risk assessment
City of South San Francisco
Acronyms and Abbreviations
751 Gateway Boulevard Project x
September 2020
ICF 0662.19
HVAC heating, ventilation, and air conditioning
Hz hertz
IOUs investor-owned utilities
IPaC Information for Planning and Consultation
IPCC Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change
IRP 2018 Integrated Resource Plan
ITE Institute of Transportation Engineers
kBTU thousand BTU
kW kilowatt
kWh kilowatt hour
Ldn day-night level
LEED Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design
Leq equivalent sound level
LID Low-Impact Development
Lmax maximum sound level
Lmin minimum sound level
LOS Level of Service
LRA Local Responsibility Area
MBTA Migratory Bird Treaty Act
mg/m3 milligrams per cubic meter
MPOs Metropolitan Planning Organizations
MRP Municipal Regional Permit
N2O nitrous oxide
NAAQS National Ambient Air Quality Standards
NCP National Contingency Plan
NDCs Nationally Determined Contributions
NHTSA National Highway Traffic Safety Administration
NO nitric oxide
NO2 nitrogen dioxide
NOC Notice of Completion
NOD Notice of Determination
non-VHFHSZ Non-Very High Fire Hazard Severity Zone
NOP Notice of Preparation
NOX nitrogen oxides
NPDES National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System
NWPR Navigable Waters Protection Rule
O3 ozone
OEHHA Office of Environmental Health Hazard Assessment
OPR Office of Planning and Research
City of South San Francisco
Acronyms and Abbreviations
751 Gateway Boulevard Project xi September 2020
ICF 0662.19
OSHA Occupational Safety and Health Administration
PCBs polychlorinated biphenyls
PCE Peninsula Clean Energy
PCWQCA Porter-Cologne Water Quality Control Act
PPV peak particle velocity
PFCs perfluorocarbons
PG&E Pacific Gas and Electric
PM particulate matter
ppb parts per billion
ppm parts per million
R&D research and development
RECs Recognized Environmental Conditions
RHNA Regional Housing Needs Allocation
RMS root mean square
ROGs reactive organic gases
RPS Renewables Portfolio Standard
RTPs Regional Transportation Plans
RWQCB Regional Water Quality Control Board
SAFE Safer Affordable Fuel-Efficient
SamTrans San Mateo County Transit District
SB Senate Bill
SCS Sustainable Communities Strategy
SF6 sulfur hexafluoride
SFBAAB San Francisco Bay Area Air Basin
SFO San Francisco International Airport
SFPUC San Francisco Public Utilities Commission
SGMA Sustainable Groundwater Management Act
SLCP short-lived climate pollutant
SMCEHD San Mateo County Environmental Health Department
SMCWPPP San Mateo Countywide Water Pollution Prevention Program
SO2 sulfur dioxide
SRAs State Responsibility Areas
SSFFD South San Francisco Fire Department
SSFPD South San Francisco Police Department
SSFUSD South San Francisco Unified School District
SWPPP Stormwater Pollution Prevention Plan
SWRCB State Water Resources Control Board
TACs Toxic Air Contaminants
TAZ Transportation Analysis Zone
City of South San Francisco
Acronyms and Abbreviations
751 Gateway Boulevard Project xii September 2020
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TDM Transportation Demand Management
TPAs Transit Priority Areas
U.S. 101 U.S. Route 101
USACE U.S. Army Corps of Engineers
USC United States Code
USEPA U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
USFWS U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service
USGS U.S. Geological Survey
UWMP Urban Water Management Plan
VHFHSZs Very High Fire Hazard Severity Zones
VMT vehicle miles traveled
WDRs Waste Discharge Requirements
WEAP Worker Environmental Awareness Program
WETA Water Emergency Transportation Authority
WSA Water Supply Assessment