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CEQA C HECKLIST S UMMARY
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The following sections outline the work that has been completed and the references to
documents produced specific to this project in anticipation of preparation of an environmental
document in compliance with the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA).

Aesthetics

Carmel Valley is considered a scenic area. Major views are seen primarily from Carmel Valley
Road and Laureles Grade. The portion of the former airport proposed for development is located
near the center of the project site, approximately 600 feet from Carmel Valley Road. Additional
residences, structures, and vegetation obscure the project site from Carmel Valley Road. The
project maintains and preserves the traditional open-space character of the site and maintains
public and private views across the site by consolidating development to less than one-half of the
site, protecting the existing oak woodland, and dedicating approximately one-half of the site as
public parkland. All infrastructure improvements shall be designed and placed to be visually
unobtrusive. When appropriate, landscaping and other screening shall be utilized to achieve this
goal. Lighting shall be placed to illuminate only the intended area and prevent off-site glare.
Street lighting will be designed to promote traffic safety and be unobtrusive and harmonious
with the local character. The proposed project will connect to existing above ground
transmission lines. Potential impacts are anticipated to be less than significant.

Agricultural Resources

The project is proposed on vacant, non-agricultural land. No impacts to agricultural resources

Air Quality

The Monterey Bay Unified Air Pollution Control District (MBUAPCD) is responsible for
monitoring air quality in the North Central Coast Air Basin (NCCAB). The NCCAB is
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designated, under state criteria, as a non-attainment area for ozone and particulates. To achieve
compliance with state air quality standards, the MBUAPCD adopted the Air Quality
Management Plan (AQMP) in 1991 (latest revision September 2004). The MBUAPCD has
developed criteria pollutant emissions thresholds, which meet or exceed state and federal air
quality thresholds. State thresholds are enforced by the California Air Resources Board (CARB)
as mandated by the California Clean Air Act. The thresholds are used to determine whether or
not the proposed project would violate an air quality standard or contribute to an existing
violation. The proposed project will require grading to level lots and for installation of
infrastructure, which will contribute short term construction impacts. The implementation of
dust and diesel emission control measures as recommended by the MBUAPCD are expected to
minimize potential impacts to air quality to less than significant.

Biological Resources

EMC Planning Group Inc. completed a biological resources report for this project, titled Carmel
Valley Village Park and Commons Biotic Resources Assessment, September 2006 (Section 11 of this
Application Package). With implementation of the mitigation measures contained in this report,
impacts to biological resources are expected to be less than significant.

Cultural Resources

Archeological Consulting completed an archeological report for this project, titled Preliminary
Cultural Resources Reconnaissance of the Carmel Valley Vintage Airfield, Carmel Valley, Monterey
County, California, November 1996 (Section 12 of this Application Package). With
implementation of the mitigation measures contained in this report, impacts to cultural resources
are expected to be less than significant.

A review of the airport as a possible nomination onto the State Historic Register was conducted;
however Monterey County determined that the character and defining features that create the
basis for nomination as a historic resource are absent. Impacts to historical resources are
expected to be less than significant.

Geology and Soils

O’Brien and Gere Engineers completed a geotechnical study to determine what, if any, geologic
constraints may be present on the property titled Preliminary Geotechnical Investigation, Village Park
and Commons, Carmel Valley, California, June 2006 (Section 8 of this Application Package). Based
on the results of the study, there are no geotechnical conditions that would preclude
development of the project site for residential purposes, provided the recommendations
contained in the report are incorporated into the proposed project. Recommendations include an

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in-depth investigation into the filled drainage channel to determine the extent of low-density fill
material, general site grading recommendations, construction observation guidelines, and review
of grading plans. With implementation of the mitigation measures contained in this report,
impacts to geology and soils are expected to be less than significant.

Hazards and Hazardous Materials

EMC Planning Group Inc. completed a biological resources report for this project, titled Carmel
Valley Airport Phase I Environmental Site Assessment, September 2006 (Section 7 of this Application
Package). With implementation of the mitigation measures contained in this report, impacts
from hazardous materials are expected to be less than significant.

Hydrology / Water Quality

Questa Engineering completed a water supply plan for this project, titled Water Resources Report
for Village Park & Commons Carmel Valley, California, November 2006 (Section 9 of this
Application Package). This report includes calculation of a balance of water demand supplied by
onsite wells versus the amount of stormwater captured onsite and from north of the project site
within the surrounding watershed. The report concludes that the amount of groundwater
recharge is sufficient to offset project water demand. Part Four of the Water Resources Report
(Section 9 of this Application Package), concludes that within the construction of a water
treatment plant, nitrates can safely be removed from groundwater. With the installation and
maintenance of the water treatment facility, impacts to hydrology and water quality are expected
to be less than significant.

Land Use and Planning

The proposed project is consistent with the land use, housing and open-space goals and
objectives of the Monterey County general plan and the Carmel Valley Master Plan. A
consistency analysis has been prepared for this project including policies in the current General
Plan, and the Carmel Valley Master Plan (Section 3 of this Application Package). The airport
property is vacant non-agricultural land that is located in an established residential area. The
proposed project is located within walking distance of Carmel Valley Village, an established
commercial area bordering Carmel Valley Road. The project also provides affordable
inclusionary housing on the site. The ten affordable units include four “very low income” units,
two “low income”, and four “moderate income” units. The proposed project density is 1.3
dwelling units per acre. Government Code Section 65915 allows up to a 35% density bonus
when affordable units, equal to 11% of the market rate units, are made available for very low
income families (11% of 29 = 3.19). Pursuant to Section 65915, the allowable density on the

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subject site is 1.32 dwelling units per acre or 39.5 total dwelling units on the site. Impacts to land
use and planning are expected to be less than significant.

Mineral Resources

There are no known mineral resources at the project site. Impacts to mineral resources are
expected to be less than significant.

Noise

The proposed project is located within an existing residential area. The nearest potentially
significant source of noise is Carmel Valley Road, which lies approximately 600 feet from the
project site. Additional residences, structures, and vegetation partially obscure the project site
from Carmel Valley Road, thereby restricting the distance noise may travel from Carmel Valley
Road to the project site.

Short term impacts from noisy grading and construction equipment may occur during the
construction of the proposed project. With implementation of restrictions on the time of day
construction may occur, impacts from noise are not expected and are expected to be less than
significant.

Population and Housing

The proposed project is located within an area surrounded by residential development and will
not displace housing or residents. Impacts to population and housing are expected to be less than
significant.

Recreation

The proposed project includes the dedication of 14.68 acres of open space parkland to the local
parks district or to the County Parks Department. The project is consistent with adopted policies
and programs that encourage the dedication of land for open space and recreational
opportunities (refer to discussion of open space issues). Impacts to recreation are expected to be
less than significant.

Transportation and Traffic

The proposed project will increase the number of vehicle trips to and from the site. According to
the traffic report for Carmel Valley prepared by Higgins Associates in December 2000, the
project would not have a significant overall traffic impact on Carmel Valley Road. However,

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Highway 1 north of Carmel Valley Road currently operates at LOS F and the project would add
incrementally to this already unacceptable LOS. An updated traffic report will be prepared to
reflect the project’s impact on current conditions. A project-specific traffic report was prepared
by Higgins and Associates, titled Carmel Valley Village Park and Commons Traffic Impact Analysis,
November 2006 (Section 13 of this Application Package). An exclusive west bound turn lane is
recommended at project build out at the Carmel Valley Road and Via Contenta intersection.
With the provision of a westbound turn lane, the intersection will operate at Monterey County
standard LOS C (Higgins and Associates 2006). The project proponent shall pay fair share traffic
impact fees for improvements to Carmel Valley Road or other major road improvements that
benefit future residents to mitigate project-related contributions to unacceptable LOS. With
implementation of mitigation, impacts to traffic and transportation are expected to be less than
significant.

Utilities / Service Systems

Allied Engineers prepared an evaluation of wastewater treatment and disposal, titled Village Park
and Commons Wastewater Treatment and Disposal System Evaluation, November 2006 (Section 10 of
this Application Package). The site is located in an unincorporated area of Monterey County
that is not within an existing sanitary sewer system service area. Connection to a regional
facility is not feasible. Typically septic systems and leach fields are adequate treatment methods
for low-density residential development. The project contains no commercial, visitor, or resort
uses. In this case, the proposed single-family and affordable dwellings are concentrated in the
middle of the site in a pattern with less land area per unit than the nearby single-family
development pattern. The project includes an on-site package treatment plant to provide
adequate treatment of project-related wastewater for the more densely clustered development.
With the installation of a package treatment plant to Monterey County Health Department
standards, impacts from wastewater generation are not expected and are expected to be less than
significant.

The proposed project includes a system of surface water reclamation and infiltration to recharge
groundwater resources beneath the site and offset project-related withdrawals. Infiltration of
storm water is anticipated to supplement groundwater demand with the goal of having a balance
of water demand and recharge. With implementation of this system, impacts from stormwater
runoff are expected to be less than significant.

Project residents, through adopted CC&Rs or other agreements, will be responsible for the
payment of routine fees to local solid waste removal, recycling and other service providers.
Energy services are available through the existing network. Impacts to utilities are expected to be
less than significant.

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