Notice of Preparation of Draft Environmental Impact Report · Many of the structures are in a...
Transcript of Notice of Preparation of Draft Environmental Impact Report · Many of the structures are in a...
FacilitiesManagement
707 826‐3646 PHONE
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1 Harpst Street, Arcata, California 95521‐8299 | humboldt.edu/facilitymgmt
PLANNING DESIGN CONSTRUCTION SUSTAINABILITY OPERATIONS MANAGEMENT
Notice of Preparation of Draft Environmental Impact Report
Date: June 20, 2018
To: State Clearinghouse, Responsible Agencies, Federal Agencies, Interested
Parties and Organizations
Project: HSU Trinity Annex Project
Lead Agency: The California State University (CSU)
CSU, Humboldt 1 Harpst Street Arcata, California 95521
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 15082.
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 15082. 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 https://facilitymgmt.humboldt.edu/capital‐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, 95521
Project Site The project site consists of the 1.44‐acre block between B and C Streets and 13th and 14th Streets in the
southernmost portion of the HSU campus in Arcata, California. The Assessor’s Parcel Number is 021‐061‐
001 and the site address is 1350 C Street, Arcata, California 95521. 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 1969‐1970 fiscal year and was used by HSU for office and
laboratory space until 2008. 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 14th 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 14th 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 13th 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.
Figure 1. Project Location
Figure 2. Project Concept Schematic
BUS SHELTER
BUS BERTHS (TYP.)
BIKE PARKING & REPAIR
STATION