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HomeMy WebLinkAbout19 - Directive to EQAC��W PORT CITY C II TYO. F NEWPORT BEACH °9 Fes" City Council Staff Report Agenda Item No. 19 June 12, 2012 TO: HONORABLE MAYOR AND MEMBERS OF THE CITY COUNCIL FROM: Community Development Department Kimberly Brandt, AICP, Director 949 - 644 -3226, kbrandt( newportbeachca.gov PREPARED BY: Patrick J. Alford APPROVED: TITLE: Directive to EQAC to Review Environmental Impact Reports for the Uptown Newport Project at 4311 -4321 Jamboree Road, the Westcliff Medical Arts Building at 1901 Westcliff Drive, and the Back Bay Landing Mixed Use-Project at 300 East Coast Highway ABSTRACT: A directive to the Environmental Quality Affairs Citizens Advisory Committee to review and submit comments on three (3) environmental impact reports for upcoming development projects. RECOMMENDATION: Direct the Environmental Quality Affairs Citizens Advisory Committee to review and submit comments on the draft environmental impact reports for the Uptown Newport, Westcliff Medical Arts Building, and Back Bay Landing Mixed -Use projects. FUNDING REQUIREMENTS: There is no fiscal impact related to this item. DISCUSSION: Resolution No. 2011 -26 provides that the Environmental Quality Affairs Citizens Advisory Committee (EQAC) shall meet as directed by the City Council to review and submit comments on any environmental impact report (EIR) prepared by the City. Over the next six (6) months, three (3) draft EIRs for proposed development projects are expected to be completed and submitted for public review and comment: Uptown Newport - A development of mixed use, residential project consisting of up to 1,244 residential units; 11;500 square feet of retail use, and two acres of park space 1 Directive to EQAC to Review EIRs June 12, 2012 Page 2 proposed for a 25 -acre property located on the west side of Jamboree Road at the intersection of Fairchild Road (PA2011 -134). The target date for the start of the public review and comment period is late June 2012. Westcliff Medical Arts Building - A two - story, 12,917- square -foot addition to an existing medical office complex proposed for a 1.65 -acre property located at 1901 Westcliff Drive. The proposed project also includes the repair and restoration and related improvements to the existing historic structures, designed by master architect Richard Neutra, that currently occupy the site (PA2008 -179). The target date for the start of the public review and comment period is August 2012. Back Bay Landing Mixed -Use Project - A mixed -use waterfront development consisting of a 135 -boat enclosed dry stack boat storage facility, 43,500 square feet of visitor - serving retail and recreational marine facilities, and up to 49 attached residential condominium units proposed for 300 East Coast Highway (PA2011 -216). The target date for the start of the public review and comment period is December 2012. It is appropriate that EQAC review and provide comments on these environmental documents. Pursuant to Resolution No. 2011 -26, these reviews would be conducted during the 45 -day public review period for each draft EIR. ENVIRONMENTAL REVIEW: The recommended action is not subject to the California Environmental Quality Act ( "CEQA ") pursuant to Sections 15060(c)(2) (the activity will not result in a direct or reasonably foreseeable indirect physical change in the environment) and 15060(c)(3) (the activity is not a project as defined in Section 15378) of the CEQA Guidelines, California Code of Regulations, Title 14, Chapter 3, because it has no potential for resulting in physical change to the environment, directly or indirectly. NOTICING: The agenda item has been noticed according to the Brown Act (72 hours in advance of the meeting at which the City Council considers the item). Submitted by: �L Kimberly Brandt, Director