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HomeMy WebLinkAboutAera Energy Master Planned Community Briefing Book.pdfA balanced plan with a wide range of high-quality homes in close proximity to employment centers. the public to enjoy the property. Preservation of healthy woodlands and restoration of degraded habitat. Collaborative design: Listening to our neighbors and responding to r*2A JRL www.AeraCommurlity.com their concerns Plans for the Aero Master -Planned Community are preliminary and rnav change during the public environmental review process. Therefore, the information in this document is subject to change and modification. APPROVAL OF THE AERA MASTER PLANNED COMMUNITY WOULD BRING A NUMBER OF BENEFITS TO THE REGION. Wildlife habitat preservation Remediation and clean-up of depleted oil field at no cost to the public. Preservation, restoration and adaptive management of oak and walnut woodlands. Restoration of distressed coastal sage scrub and riparian (stream) habitats with high-quality native vegetation will provide habitat for the California gnatcatcher, Western spadefoot toad and other wildlife. Preservation and enhancement of wildlife corridor through the property (primarily used by small mammals). Berry Creek restoration and new runoff control system will meet or exceed regulations and improve water quality. Public parks, trails and open space More than 1,600 acres (55 percent of 2,935 -acre property) will be devoted to high-quality habitat and recreational open space at no cost to the public. Miles of trails connecting to off-site regional trails, providing access that was previously unavailable. A number of park facilities, including a sports park. Economic and municipal benefits 1 ) Homes near job centers to ease the region's imbalance of jobs and housing. Increased tax revenues to relevant jurisdictions. 300,000 sq. ft. of commercial and/or office space. Reserved school and fire station sites. Preservation of visual qualities Most development will occur in portions of the property not visible from surrounding communities. Prominent "Nike site" ridgeline will be preserved. About 85 percent of Aera's property along the SR -57 freeway will remain un -built, largely protecting the scenic view along the freeway as it transitions between Los Angeles and Orange counties. Compatible densities with surrounding communities along with open space buffers create visual continuity with neighbors. 3 EXISTING CONDITION OF PROPERTY AFTER YEARS OF CATTY GrRAZING,AND.OI,L..PR.pI?UC QN dA j L i N'v ti rl- PYTZ-i . '' fEw b' c r`_ k E. i r p Wt. Wildlife corridor/connectivity When restored, the wildlife corridor and other on-site preserves will offer water, cover and space for animals. Small mammals, invertebrates and insects that move short distances are primary users of the corridor. Corridor design allows animal movement through two safe connection points with adjacent preserved open space: the Harbor Blvd. tunnel and the Tonner Canyon/SR-57 underpass. Completed in June 2006, the Harbor Blvd. under crossing allows wildlife to safely cross under the road into the Coyote Roadkill is a common occurrence when animals attempt to cross at other locations. Oak and walnut woodlands Oak and walnut woodlands might not perpetuate beyond this generation because cattle grazing operations and non-native invasive plants are choking -out young trees and seedlings. Aera's restoration plan to create healthy and sustainable woodlands includes the following efforts: Discontinuing cattle grazing Removing non-native tree species in natural areas Planting oaks and walnuts in locations where they will thrive Active monitoring of habitat to ensure success Site planning efforts place a priority on preserving several high-quality and dense oak and walnut woodlands. Coastal sage scrub Existing coastal sage scrub (CSS) is extremely limited, highly disturbed and fragmented; supports only three pairs of California gnatcatchers. Enhancement and restoration program will create more higher -functioning habitat than today's current fragmented condition. Impacts to on-site gnatcatchers will be avoided. Aera's proposal includes significant enhancements to Berry Creek, which has been severely altered as a result of cattle grazing and oil operations. Improvements include: Elimination of invasive plant species Removal of oil pipelines, road crossings and culverts Planting of native riparian plants and woodlands Managing and controlling runoff Natural' water quality treatment basins and vegetated swales will be created throughout the property to filter and manage stormwater runoff. The project's stormwater management plan will meet or exceed regulations and improve water quality. As shown, the wildlife corridor through Aera's property connects off-site with Tanner Canyon open space via the SR -57 under crossing. 5 PROVIDING NEW HOMES FOR THE REGION'S GROWING POPULATION California's population of about 37 million is expected to reach 48 million people by 2030. About 70 percent of this growth is simply the result of Californians having children, and about one-fifth of the increase will occur in Los Angeles and Orange counties. The Aera Master Planned Community will help meet the region's strong demand for new homes. 2005 2030 Increase % Increase LA County 10,258,304 12,221,799 1,963,495 15 percent Orange County 3,103,377 3,552,742 449,365 13 percent Source: SCAG 2004 Regional Traffic Plan growth forecast IMPROVING THE LOCAL JOBS/HOMES IMBALANCE The region also needs new homes to help improve its severe jobs/housing imbalance. The Southern California Association of Governments (SLAG) recommends a ratio of 1.35 jobs for every home. To achieve SCAG's jobs/homes ratio within a five -mile radius surrounding the project would require an additional 45,838 homes. By providing housing near existing job centers, the Aera community helps to reduce this imbalance, shortening commute times and contributing to improvements in air quality and overall quality of life in the region. Jobs and housing within 5 mile radius of project site 300,000 275,000 250,000 225,000 200,000 175,000 150,000 125,000 100,000 Jobs Households The region remains critically short of housing to serve nearby employment centers, leading to longer commutes and more regional traffic. T N Jobs Traffic congestion is a major concern for all of us living in Southern California. Recognizing this, Aera has worked with neighboring jurisdictions to develop a comprehensive traffic plan. While new development is not required to fix pre-existing traffic problems, Aera believes our plan, along with other planned regional roadway improvements, will help to reduce congestion despite the new car trips that our planned community will generate. AERA'S THREE -PHASED TRAFFIC MITIGATION PLAN 1. Extensive study and improvements More than 50 intersections near the Aera site (see map on following page) are being analyzed by independent traffic engineers to identify potential impacts resulting from the project. Mitigations (improvements) will be recommended based on the impacts identified through sophisticated computer traffic models. Improvements must ensure that local roadways and intersections operate as well as or better than current conditions. In some cases, improvements required by the project will add lane or intersection capacity that exceeds the impacts generated by the project, thus improving existing circulation flows. Major improvements that Aera will provide fair share firnding to upon project approval include: The widening of Brea Canyon Road to provide four travel lanes between the Brea Canyon Road interchange and the Tonner Canyon Road SR -57 interchanges, Funding to accelerate the implementation of Los Angeles County's Intelligent Transportation System. A comprehensive intersection improvement program that will relieve congestion at numerous intersections. 2. Creating a plan with traffic in mind The plan's ingress/egress points are designed to minimize impacts on existing roadways. There will be no public road access through the project to Pathfinder Rd. or Harbor Blvd. Access from Berry St. to Harbor Blvd. was removed to eliminate the potential for cut -through traffic. On-site shopping, parks and school site will keep many car trips within the project. Placing new homes in close proximity to job centers reduces individual commute times and total vehicle miles traveled. Yes - the project is theoretically projected to generate about that many trips, but keep in mind that: The project will be built over a span of many years, allowing for roadway improvements to be implemented as or before impacts occur. Brea Canyon Road will be widened to 4lanes at the outset of the project to accommodate the increase. The daily volume is spread out over a 24-hour period, and vehicles will be distributed to the adjacent freeway and numerous arterial roadways in the area. A comprehensive intersection improvement program will relieve congestion at many area intersections to keep pace with the increases. AERN'S THREE -PHASED TRAFFIC PLAN (cont.) 3. Advocating for regional solutions Aera is closely monitoring regional improvements currently implemented or planned, and when possible, is advocating for planning and construction funding for these projects to be prioritized. Efforts from the State of California and local counties and cities that will help alleviate traffic congestion include: California's Proposition 1B: $1.7 billion for improvements to the SR -57, SR -91,1-5 and other area freeways. Orange County Measure M: $12 billion for improvements, including adding lanes and other improvements to SR -57. Alameda Corridor East project: Integrating rail, truck and commuter routes to streamline travel and improve traffic flow. Four Corners Transportation Coalition: The coalition is seeking funding to help resolve circulation issues between Los Angeles, Orange, Riverside and San Bernardino Counties. SR-60/SR-57 improvements: Improvements are underway and planned to alleviate freeway bottlenecks in and around Diamond Bar. Independent traffic engineers are conducting analyses of more than 50 intersections near the Aera site. Schools Aera is in discussions with the Brea -Olinda Unified School District and Rowland Unified School District regarding school district boundary options for the property. Current plans anticipate a school site (potentially for a K-8 school) to be reserved for the Rowland Unified School District. Fire services Aera is working with the Los Angeles County Fire Department and Orange County Fire Authority to ensure necessary facilities and services are provided. Area is prepared to provide a new fire station site on or near the property to serve the new residents if it is determined such a site is necessary. Sheriff protection services The Los Angeles Sheriffs Department and Orange County Sheriffs Department have each indicated they will be able to provide service to the portion of the Aera community within their respective counties. The new homes would generate necessary funds to cover the cost of sheriff services. Utilities Electricity: Southern California Edison Natural Gas: The Southern California Gas Company Wastewater: Rowland Water District and either Orange County or Los Angeles County Sanitation Districts Water supply Rowland Water District, the local service provider, has indicated a willingness to provide water service to the project and is currently completing the analysis necessary to ensure adequate water supplies are available. Water quality The project's Stormwater Management Plan addresses stormwater, debris flow and recent regulations concerning water quality functions. Water conservation Drought -tolerant landscaping and water -conserving fixtures will be required within the Aera community. Studies are currently being conducted to investigate the possibility that all common -area landscaping, including the golf course (if it is approved as part of the project) could be irrigated with reclaimed water. 11 OVERVIEW OF PROPOSED DIAMOND BAR ANNEXATION Aera and Diamond Bar entered into a pre -annexation agreement in December 2006 to explore the possibility of annexing two-thirds of Aera's 2,935 -acre property into the City's boundaries. Los Angeles and Orange counties will retain land -use approval authority over their territory outside the potential Diamond Bar annexation area. A 2005 Municipal Service Review issued by Los Angeles County LAFCO recommended that Diamond Bar annex more than 2,000 acres of the Aera property because public services (fire and sheriff) and infrastructure (roads and water) for the proposed community will orient towards Diamond Bar. A preliminary study commissioned by Diamond Bar indicates the proposed annexation could result in at least $1 million a year in increased revenue to Diamond Bar. The pre -annexation agreement does not constitute approval of the Aera community or guarantee that annexation will occur. OVERVIEW OF EIIR PUBLIC REVIEW AND APPROVAL PROCESS 1. Notice of 2. Public scoping 3. EIR publication4, EIR public Preparation meetings 0 comment 7. New homes available 6. City Council/Board of Supervisor public hearings before: Diamond Bar Orange County Los Angeles County 10 period 5. Planning Commission public hearings *A v Aera's plan has evolved over seven years, driven both by comprehensive studies of the land, its resources and the potential impacts of development, and input received from community leaders and neighbors. CHANGES IN RESPONSE TO FEEDBACK Reduced road alternative significantly enhances the functionality of the wildlife corridor while dramatically reducing the amount of traffic added onto Harbor Boulevard. Access from Berry St. to Harbor Blvd. removed to eliminate potential for cut -through traffic. Trail system extended into existing regional trails. Incorporating significant recreational open space for a sports park and possible golf course.. Commitment to compatible densities with surrounding neighborhoods. Design techniques incorporated into the plan to protect viewsheds include: The project was designed to protect view sheds to the Nike site" ridgeline and SR -57 freeway corridor. Larger setbacks and enhanced landscaping were incorporated to soften view impacts to the south. r ;? 1.. The majority of development is focused in areas virtually invisible from most adjacent locations to About 85 percent ofAcra's property along the SR -57 freeway will remain un -built, largely protecting the scenic view along the freeway as it transitions between Los Angeles and Orange counties. Aera's efforts to protect and restore the environment and incorporate feedback from our neighbors resulted in a plan that is much less dense than surrounding communities and preserves more than half of the land as open space. Open space/recreation in surrounding cities Housing densities of neighboring cities MEMEM 11 JIM111111111 = Density calculated based on total number of housing units divided by the total area, less commercial acreage. 11 Percent open space calculated based on open space/recreation and total land area. One of California's leading oil and gas producers, with operations extending from the Los Angeles Basin to Coalinga in the San Joaquin Valley. Owns and operates California oil fields formerly owned by Shell Oil and Mobil Oil. Aera has a long track record of supporting local groups and communities within Los Angeles and Orange County, including: Yorba Linda Community Foundation, local Chambers of Commerce, school foundations, and youth sports groups. COMMUNITY PLANNING EXPERIENCE Aera developed the successful Vista Del Verde residential/golf course community in Yorba Linda in partnership with Toll Brothers, Inc. 843 -acres. 290 acres of parks, recreation and open space. 1,800 luxury homes. New elementary school. More than 10 miles of pedestrian and equestrian trails. Black Gold Golf Club, developed by Aera and now operated by the City of Yorba Linda, provides revenue to Yorba Linda and important habitat for the threatened California gnatcatcher. Project approval included innovative Habitat Conservation Plan (HCP) that provided numerous environmental benefits. As Vista Del Verde homes were being built, sold and occupied from 2002 through 2007, the City of Yorba Linda property tax receipts nearly doubled, while costs increased by only about 25%. 12 With the addition of the open space to be set aside within the Aera Master -Planned Community, two-thirds of the 9,883 acres originally held by Aera and its predecessors has been or will be devoted to park, recreation or open space uses. va[ir 13 Acres Percent Land Disposition I Recreation, 6.568 661% Parks. Open Space Developed pads,z.9a 23.24 streets. slopes m Public Use 664 6.7% Final use not datarm it ed 337 3.4% 9,883 13 Aera's Vista Del Verde community has been a tremendous benefit to the City of Yorba Linda. It has offered us quality new homes, a new school, trails and one of the finest golf courses in all of Orange County. " Allan Castellano Mayor, City of Yorba Linda The Aera Energy team was exceptional. They listened to input, responded to issues, and always provided the best solutions possible. We could not have asked for a better development group to work with. " Ken Ryan Former Mayor, City of Yorba Linda Throughout the approval and development process for Vista Del Verde we've found Aera to be upfront and reliable. Many developers make promises and don't deliver. Aera always delivered. " Roy F. Stephenson Director of Public Works/City Engineer, City of Yorba Linda 1974 - 2001 Aera's financial support of the Yorba Linda Community Foundation has helped us enhance the lives of Yorba Linda residents - especially its children." Debbie Banks Executive Director, Yorba Linda Community Foundation 1[1