Notice of Preparation of Draft Environmental Impact Report

Transcription

1 PHONE Facilities Management FAX ALT Notice of Preparation of Draft Environmental Impact Report Date: June 20, 2018 To: Project: Lead Agency: State Clearinghouse, Responsible Agencies, Federal Agencies, Interested Parties and Organizations HSU Trinity Annex Project The California State University (CSU) CSU, Humboldt 1 Harpst Street Arcata, California Contact: Michael Fisher, Associate Director Planning, Design, & Construction Public Review Period: June 26 through July 25, 2018 (30 days) in accordance with State CEQA Guidelines Section Purpose of the Notice The intent of this Notice of Preparation (NOP) is to inform agencies and interested parties that Humboldt State University (HSU) is preparing a Draft Environmental Impact Report (EIR) for the proposed Trinity Annex Project in accordance with California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) Guidelines, Section This NOP provides information about the project and its potential environmental effects and requests that comments be provided on the proposed scope and content of the Draft EIR. An Initial Study has been prepared for the project and is available online at projects Community Information Meeting A community information meeting will be held to solicit input on the project s potential environmental impacts and provide information on the environmental review process for the project. Date: July 11, 2018 Time: 3:30 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. Location: D Street Neighborhood Center, 1301 D Street, Arcata CA, Harpst Street, Arcata, California humboldt.edu/facilitymgmt PLANNING DESIGN CONSTRUCTION SUSTAINABILITY OPERATIONS MANAGEMENT

2 Project Site The project site consists of the 1.44 acre block between B and C Streets and 13 th and 14 th Streets in the southernmost portion of the HSU campus in Arcata, California. The Assessor s Parcel Number is and the site address is 1350 C Street, Arcata, California The project site currently includes a complex of interconnected buildings known as the Trinity Annex, three parking areas for HSU permit parking, and landscaping. Figure 1 shows an aerial image of the project site. Background The Trinity Annex complex was originally constructed between 1944 and 1956 for use as a hospital. The site was purchased by the HSU Auxiliary in the fiscal year and was used by HSU for office and laboratory space until The complex is no longer in active use, but a portion of the east wing continues to be used for storage. Many of the structures are in a rundown state with collapsed ceilings and deteriorating insulation and wall structures. The building also contains asbestos in exposed insulation and lead paint on the building s exterior that is chipping away. Although the building is locked up and not open to public use, the life safety hazards associated with the building pose a public risk as the building has been known to attract transients. The three parking areas on the project site are in active use and provide permit parking to campus users. Project Description The project would involve the demolition of the existing Trinity Annex and conversion of the site into a surface parking lot with approximately 13,000 square feet of greenspace space located along the west and south sides of the parking lot. A bus shelter, benches, bicycle parking, and a bike repair station would also be constructed on the project site, along 14 th Street. Figure 2 provides a schematic drawing of the project concept. The project would involve alteration of the public right of way to provide two bus berths along 14 th Street, where a bus stop presently exists, two bus parking berths along B Street, and approximately 83 vehicle spaces for HSU permit parking. Vehicle access to the site would be provided via a driveway on 13 th Street. In addition, the project would include an amendment to the HSU 2004 Master Plan (adopted in 2004) to allow development of the site as a parking lot, rather than a playfield, as is currently designated in the 2004 Master Plan. Potential Environmental Effects An Initial Study was prepared for the project and found that the project would have no impact, a less than significant impact, or a less than significant impact with mitigation incorporated for all resources areas evaluated under CEQA except for Aesthetics and Cultural Resources. The Draft EIR will further evaluate the eligibility of the Trinity Annex complex as a historical resource and assess whether removal of the Trinity Annex would degrade the visual character of the project site. The Draft EIR will propose mitigation to avoid and/or reduce impacts deemed potentially significant, identify reasonable alternatives, and compare the environmental impacts of the alternatives to the impacts of the proposed project. The Draft EIR will also discuss the cumulative impacts of the proposed project in combination with other closely related past, present, and reasonably foreseeable probable future projects in the area (14 CCR 15130). Comments provided in response to the NOP and during the ensuing analyses may identify additional environmental resources to be evaluated.

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4 Figure 1. Project Location

5 Figure 2. Project Concept Schematic BUS BERTHS (TYP.) BUS SHELTER BIKE PARKING & REPAIR STATION