a. Induce substantial population growth in an area, either directly (for example, by proposing new homes and businesses) or indirectly (for example, through extension of roads and other infrastructure)?
b. Displacing substantial numbers of existing housing, necessitating
the construction of replacement housing elsewhere?
c. Displace substantial numbers of people, necessitating the
construction of replacement housing elsewhere?
Discussion: A project will normally have a significant environmental effect if it will displace a large number of people or induce substantial growth or concentration of population. The CIA Campus Master Plan involves an expansion in student enrollment from 200 to 300 students for a net increase of 100 new students plus the addition of seven new instructional staff. Concurrently, 49 employees would relocate to the recently acquired American Center for Wine, Food & the Arts (Copia) in the City of Napa, California. The net change in student and faculty at the Greystone Campus would amount to a net increase of 58 students and staff. The Vineyard Lodge Housing would be expanded by a net total of 123 student residents.
Impact Analysis
a.(Population Growth) Less than Significant: The proposed project would increase the number of students from 200 to 300
(a total of 100 new students). Project construction activities at the Vineyard Lodge Housing site would result in a maximum occupancy of 224 student residents on-site, which equates to a net increase of 123 students. With the Greystone Guest House, which provides housing for 47 students, the project will be able to provide housing for 271 of its 300 students. The project would generate a net decrease in faculty. Given that the project will result in a net decrease in faculty, while providing housing for the majority of students, the project is not expected to significantly impact the existing or future housing supply in St. Helena. Accordingly, impacts will be less than significant.
b,c.(Displacement of Housing) No Impact: Project construction activities at the Vineyard Lodge Housing site include the
demolition of Vineyard Lodge I. However, three new residential building units would be constructed, resulting in a net increase of 123 students on the project site. Therefore, the proposed project would not displace people or existing housing
that would require the construction of replacement housing elsewhere. No impacts are expected.
Mitigation Measures: None Required. 13. PUBLIC SERVICES. Would the project:
a. Result in substantial adverse physical impacts associated with the provision of new or physically altered governmental facilities, need for new or physically altered governmental facilities, the construction of which could cause significant environmental impacts, in order to maintain acceptable service ratios, response times or other performance objectives for any of the public services including:
i) Fire Protection?
ii) Police Protection?
iii) Schools?
iv) Parks?
v) Other Public Facilities?
Setting
Lands within the St. Helena City limits are well served by established public services including fire and police protection, schools and parklands. In order to offset the cost of improving or expanding City services to accommodate the demand generated by new development the City charges one-time impact fees on new private development. Development impact fees are necessary in order to finance required public service improvements and to pay for new development's fair share of the costs necessary to maintain acceptable levels of service related to fire and police protection services, open space, parkland and other such public services.
Impact Analysis
a,b.(Fire and Police Protection) Less than Significant Impact: The project sites are located within or near the urban limit line
and proximate to the police and fire stations and are currently well served by public services. Additional fire service and police calls may occur as a result of the project. However, the project will be subject to the payment of development impact fees, including the Public Safety Impact Fee which funds equipment and facilities' costs for Police and the Fire Departments that may go towards vehicles, capital equipment, and building improvements so as to maintain a high level of public safety. Accordingly, any impacts will be less than significant.
c. (Schools) Less than Significant Impact: The St. Helena Unified School District provides K-12 public educational services for the
community. The District operates four schools, including a primary school, an elementary school, a middle school, and a high school. The CIA Campus Master Plan involves an expansion in student housing of 123 new student residents. A very limited number of the new residents may have school-aged children. Given that the CIA has moved towards and AOS degree program, most of the students are of college age and do not have school aged children. As such, it is expected that the St. Helena Unified School District would be able to accommodate any limited increase in new school-aged children that could be generated as a result of project implementation. Therefore, impacts would be considered less than significant.
d. (Parks) Less Than Significant Impact: The Parks Division of the Public Works Department maintains ten parks, four pathways,
street trees, benches, and parking lots. These parks include a variety of recreational open spaces including walking trails, playgrounds, and picnic areas. The nearest park to both project sites is Lyman Park, located approximately 0.7 mile southeast of
the Greystone Campus and approximately 0.5 mile south of the Vineyard Lodge Housing site. The net increase in 123 new residents would result in an increase in the local population that would use community parks.
The General Plan identifies a low ratio of active parkland to population, as well as limited connection between passive and active recreational areas and developed areas of the City. The applicant is required to pay a civic improvement fee which is required of all new development to assist in amongst other things, the development and maintenance of recreational facilities in the community. Further, per Mitigation Measure TRANS-2, the applicant is required to install bike lane improvements on the portion of Pratt Avenue between the Vineyard Lodge Housing Site and the Pratt Avenue/ Highway 29 intersection, thereby helping to alleviate pressure on the City’s parks and recreational facilities. Accordingly, with payment of impact fees and improvement of passive recreational facilities as required under Mitigation Measure TRANS-2, impacts related to maintaining service ratios and performance objectives related to park and recreational facilities would be less than significant.
e. (Other Public Facilities) Less than Significant Impact: The Project will not result in substantial adverse impacts associated
with any other public facilities. The project sites are located within or adjacent to the urban limit line and are well served by existing public utilities. The project will not generate a substantial increase in demands that warrant the expansion or construction of new public facilities. Therefore, any impacts to other public facilities will be less than significant.
Mitigation Measures: None required. 14. RECREATION.
a. Would the project increase the use of existing neighborhood and regional parks or other recreational facilities such that
substantial physical deterioration of the facility would occur or be accelerated?
b. Does the project include recreational facilities or require the
construction or expansion of recreational facilities which might
have an adverse physical effect on the environment?
Sources: St. Helena 1993 General Plan: Parks and Recreation Element; St Helena General Plan, Appendix C: Inventory of Recreation Resources Setting
St Helena provides twenty acres dedicated to recreational activities at five locations within the city’s limits. Elementary school and high school facilities within the ULL are also utilized to help meet the community’s recreational needs. Two nearby adjacent California State parks offer an additional 1,900 acres of camping, swimming, and hiking trails for local residents and tourists.
The Parks Division of the Public Works Department maintains ten parks, four pathways, street trees, benches, and parking lots. These parks include a variety of recreational open spaces including walking trails, playgrounds, and picnic areas. The nearest park to both project sites is Lyman Park, located approximately 0.7 mile southeast of the Greystone Campus and approximately 0.5 mile south of the Vineyard Lodge Housing site.
The CIA Campus Master Plan involves a net increase of 123 new student residents which will be housed at the Vineyard Lodge Housing Site, equating to a slight increase in potential park users.
Impact Analysis
a. (Deterioration of Parks) Less Than Significant Impact: The proposed project would result in a net increase of 123 new student residents. The General Plan identifies a low ratio of active parkland to population, as well as, limited connection
between passive and active recreational areas and developed areas of the City. In order to offset an increase in demand for recreational facilities and not further degrade the already stressed park and recreational systems, the applicant is required to pay a civic improvement fee which is required of all new development to assist in, amongst other things, the development and maintenance of recreational facilities in the community. Further, the project will be required to comply with Mitigation Measure TRANS-2 requiring bike lane improvements along a portion of Pratt Avenue which will ensure the project aligns with the intent of the St. Helena Bicycle Plan, 2012. That particular stretch of bike path will provide linkage to pathways along Highway 29 and will contribute to the establishment of improved connectivity throughout the City which can be used for both passive and active recreational activities. Since the project is not expected to substantially increase the use of existing parks or other recreational facilities, and will introduce bike lane improvements along Pratt Avenue that will serve to improve recreational opportunities within the City, impacts to these amenities would be less than significant. b. (Additional Recreational Facilities) Less than significant Impact: The project does not include active recreational facilities and does not require the construction or expansion of recreational facilities. Pursuant to Mitigation Measure TRANS-2, the applicant will be required to install bike lane improvements along Pratt Avenue between the Vineyard Lodge Housing Site and the Pratt Avenue/ Highway 29 intersection. The requisite improvements will be limited to previously disturbed areas and/or existing right-of-way and not expected to generate any adverse physical effects on the environment. Accordingly, any impacts would be less than significant.
Mitigation Measures: None Required.