SECTION 3.0 - Monterey Downs and Horse Park and Central Coast

SECTION 3.0
Basis of Cumulative Analysis
Subsequent
Environmental Impact Report
3.0
Monterey Downs and Monterey Horse Park
and Central Coast Veterans Cemetery Specific Plan
BASIS OF CUMULATIVE ANALYSIS
CEQA Guidelines Section 15355, as amended, states the following regarding cumulative impacts:
“Cumulative impacts” refer to two or more individual effects which, when considered
together, are considerable or which compound or increase other environmental impacts.
(a) The individual effects may be changes resulting from a single project or a number of
separate projects.
(b) The cumulative impact from several projects is the change in the environment which
results from the incremental impact of the project when added to other closely related
past, present, and reasonably foreseeable probable future projects. Cumulative impacts
can result from individually minor but collectively significant projects taking place over a
period of time.
Pursuant to CEQA Guidelines Section 15130(a), a project’s cumulative impacts shall be discussed
when they are “cumulatively considerable,” as defined in CEQA Guidelines Section 15065(a)(3).
Section 4.0, Environmental Analysis , of this EIR assesses the cumulative impacts for each applicable
environmental issue, and does so to a degree that reflects each impact’s severity and likelihood of
occurrence.
As indicated above, a cumulative impact involves two or more individual effects. Per CEQA
Guidelines Section 15130(b), the discussion of cumulative impacts shall be guided by the standards
of practicality and reasonableness, and should include the following elements:
1. Either:
A. A list of past, present and probable future projects producing related or cumulative
impacts, including, if necessary, those projects outside the control of the Agency, or
B. A summary of projections contained in an adopted local, regional or statewide plan,
or related planning document, that describes or evaluates conditions contributing to
the cumulative effect. Such plans may include: a general plan, regional
transportation plan, or plans for the reduction of greenhouse gas emissions. A
summary of projections may also be contained in an adopted or certified prior
environmental document for such a plan. Such projects may be supplemented with
additional information such as a regional modeling program. Any such document
shall be referenced and made available to the public at a location specified by the
lead agency.
2. When utilizing a list, as suggested in paragraph (1) of subdivision (b), factors to consider
when determining whether to include a related project should include the nature of
each environmental resource being examined, the location of the project and its type.
Location may be important, for example, when water quality impacts are at issue since
projects outside the watershed would probably not contribute to a cumulative effect.
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Subsequent
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Monterey Downs and Monterey Horse Park
and Central Coast Veterans Cemetery Specific Plan
Project type may be important, for example, when the impact is specialized, such as a
particular air pollutant or mode of traffic.
3. Lead agencies should define the geographic scope of the area affected by the
cumulative effect and provide a reasonable explanation for the geographic limitation
used.
4. A summary of the expected environmental effects to be produced by those projects
with specific reference to additional information stating where that information is
available; and
5. A reasonable analysis of the cumulative impacts of the relevant projects, including
examination of reasonable, feasible options for mitigating or avoiding the project’s
contribution to any significant cumulative effects.
As noted above, CEQA allows the discussion of cumulative impacts to be based upon a summary
of projections contained in an adopted local, regional or statewide plan, or related planning
document, that describes or evaluates conditions contributing to the cumulative effect. The Fort
Ord Reuse Plan (BRP), which was adopted by the Fort Ord Reuse Authority (FORA) in June 1997,
provides a framework for the reuse of the former U.S. Army base, an approximately 27,964-acre
study area. The BRP identifies the land use goals and policies to transform the former base into an
integrated community. The Project site occupies an approximately 710.5-acre area in the northcentral portion of former Fort Ord, locally referred to as Parker Flats. Utilizing the boundaries of
the BRP, which was evaluated in the certified BRP PEIR, allows for a broader, more comprehensive
projection of development within this area, than would a list approach of past, present, and
probable future projects within the City of Seaside, the City of Marina, or the northwest
unincorporated area of Monterey County. Therefore, the related projects and other possible
development in the area determined as having the potential to interact with the proposed Project,
to the extent that a significant cumulative effect may occur, are based on the Fort Ord BRP
buildout capacities. The land uses analyzed in the BRP PEIR are illustrated on BRP PEIR Figure 3.21 and summarized as follows (based on BRP PEIR Table 2.4-1):
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General Population: 51,773 persons;
CSU Monterey Bay Residential Students: 20,000;
General Housing: 17,132 dwelling units (7.0 percent of 27,964 BRP, or approximately
1,957 acres);
CSU Monterey Bay Residential Student Housing: 5,100 dwelling units;
Employment: 45,457 jobs;
Habitat Management: 62 percent (of 27,964 BRP, or approximately 17,338 acres);
Educational/Institutional/Public Facilities: 9.0 percent (of 27,964 BRP, or approximately
2,517 acres);
Retail: 1.0 percent (of 27,964 BRP, or approximately 280 acres);
Business/Planned Development (Commercial):
5.0 percent (of 27,964 BRP, or
approximately 1,398 acres);
Parks/Recreation: 10.0 percent (of 27,964 BRP, or approximately 2,796 acres); and
Visitor Serving Tourism: <1.0 percent (of 27,964 BRP, or less than 280 acres).
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Subsequent
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Monterey Downs and Monterey Horse Park
and Central Coast Veterans Cemetery Specific Plan
Although preliminarily based on the BRP study area, the geography, and hence the cumulative
projects, considered for the cumulative impact analyses could vary according to environmental
issue area, and would be determined based upon the Project’s scope and anticipated area in which
the Project could contribute to an incremental increase in cumulatively considerable impacts (as
discussed throughout Section 4.0).
WITHIN FORT ORD BASE REUSE PLAN
Much of Fort Ord has already been redeveloped (reused) and many projects have been approved,
but not yet implemented. Some are in the process of construction. These projects include, but
are not limited to, the following:
Unincorporated Monterey County
·
Fort Ord Dunes State Park (implemented). This State Park has a 1,500 foot trail to 4 miles
of ocean beach with views of Monterey Bay (http://www.parks.ca.gov/?page_id=580).
·
Fort Ord National Monument (implemented). The national monument provides 86 miles
of rugged trail and covers approximately 14,650 acres. An additional 7,450 acres will be
added following completion of appropriate environmental remediation (http://www.blm.
gov/pgdata/etc/medialib/blm/ca/pdf/hollister/fortord.Par.31831.File.dat/FortOrd_NM_broch
ure_150_508.pdf).
·
East Garrison Mixed-Use Community (under construction). This project includes
development of a new community with mixed uses, residential, cultural, and open space
land uses on 244 acres at Fort Ord. The community will consist of three residential
neighborhoods surrounding a mixed-use town center. The specific plan allows for the
construction of up to 1,400 residential units plus up to 70 accessory (carriage house) units,
75,000 square feet of commercial space, 11,000 square feet of institutional uses, and
100,000 square feet of artist studio space. In addition, the specific plan contains
approximately 50 acres of open space, parks and natural areas (http://www.co.monterey.
ca.us/planning/major/eastgarrison/EGSP_main.htm).
City of Seaside
·
California State University Monterey Bay (portion of). This university is located partially
within the City of Seaside and partially within the City of Marina. The 1,376 acres CSU
campus was opened in 1995 and has a master plan for build out of the campus through
2020 (http://apps.otterlabs.org/cpd/FINAL_2007_MP-Vol_I/01_Introduction.pdf).
·
Seaside Highlands (aka Hayes Housing - completed).
includes 380 homes (http://seasidehighlandshoa.com).
·
Seaside Resort (partially developed, under construction). In January 2009, Seaside Resort
Development, LLC (SRD) completed the upgrade of the Bayonet and Black Horse golf
courses to meet current PGA standards. The next phase of development will feature a
four-star hotel with approximately 275 rooms, 175 timeshare units and 125 custom
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This single-family neighborhood
Basis of Cumulative Analysis
Subsequent
Environmental Impact Report
Monterey Downs and Monterey Horse Park
and Central Coast Veterans Cemetery Specific Plan
residential lots fronting the redesigned, award-winning courses. In July 2009, SRD released
the first 30 residential lots at “The Enclave at Cypress Grove” for sale
(http://www.ci.seaside.ca.us/index.aspx?page=226#SRD).
·
Main Gate Specific Plan (approved specific plan only). The specific plan outlines the future
development of approximately 56 acres on the former Fort Ord. The City sponsored the
preparation of this specific plan to develop a Lifestyle Center with a retail center (“The
Strand”) hotel/conference center, and a full service spa (http://www.ci.seaside.ca.us/
index.aspx?page=200).
·
POM Annex Military Housing (completed). The project consisted of new and refurbished
military housing.
·
Youth Hostel (approved, but not yet constructed). This approved, but not yet constructed
project, consists of phased development of a 120-bed youth hostel with common rooms,
meeting rooms, three employee apartments, parking, and landscaping (http://www.
ci.seaside.ca.us/Modules/ShowDocument.aspx?documentid=8669).
·
Monterey Peninsula College Public Safety Training Center Phase I (completed). This
project consisted of the renovation of two existing buildings for classroom and office
facilities for Fire and Peace Officer training programs (http://www.mpc.edu/mpcbond/
Pages/PublicSafetyTrainingCenter.aspx).
City of Marina
·
CSU Monterey Bay (portion of). This university is located partially within the City of
Seaside and partially within the City of Marina. The 1,376 acres CSU campus was opened
in 1995 and has a master plan for build out of the campus through 2020.
·
UC Santa Cruz MBEST Center (partially developed). The UC MBEST Initiative is a regional
economic development effort focused on developing collaborative research-business
opportunities in the Monterey Bay region. A key component of this initiative is the
development of a new research and technology center, as well as other job-generating
uses, on up to 500 acres of land acquired by the University of California at the former Fort
Ord on the central California coast. The University of California has another 600 acres that
will be managed as open space habitat (http://ucmbest.ucsc.edu/).
·
Marina Heights (approved, constructed not yet completed). This 248-acre project includes
1,050 homes with parks, greenbelts, and open space (http://www.ci.marina.ca.us/
index.aspx?NID=202).
·
Dunes on Monterey Bay (aka University Villages – partially developed). The 429-acre
Dunes on Monterey Bay is a mixed-use planned community. The development is longterm, and is expected to be complete around 2020. When complete, the development
will include 1,237 homes, regional retail, promenade retail, hotels, offices, and parks
(http://www.ci.marina.ca.us/index.aspx?nid=204).
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Subsequent
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and Central Coast Veterans Cemetery Specific Plan
·
Cypress Knolls (approved, but not yet constructed). The 188-acre Cypress Knolls senior
residential project is fully entitled for the development of a comprehensive senior
residential community with active adult housing, continuum of care senior services, a senior
community
center,
and
supportive
amenities
and
services
https://camarina.civicplus.com/index.aspx?nid=200).
·
Monterey Peninsula College Marina Education Center (Phase 1 completed). This 12,000
square foot facility with eight classrooms opened in the fall of 2011
(http://www.mpc.edu/EdCenterMarina/Pages/Welcome%20page.aspx).
·
Imjin Office Park (completed). This office park includes approximately 37,257 square feet
of office space and a 9,724-square foot conference center.
Fort Ord Reuse Authority
·
Infrastructure projects throughout the former military base.
Further implementation of the BRP forecast development is reasonably foreseeable. In addition,
the cumulative projects could result in a similar range of impacts as the proposed Project, because
they involve new development in an area formerly occupied by a U.S. Army base.
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Subsequent
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