HomeMy WebLinkAboutPlanning Commission 2017-06-27 Agenda PacketAGENDA
SAN RAFAEL PLANNING COMMISSION
REGULAR MEETING
TUESDAY, June 27, 2017, 7:00 P.M.
COUNCIL CHAMBERS, CITY HALL, 1400 FIFTH AVENUE
SAN RAFAEL, CALIFORNIA
CALL TO ORDER
PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
RECORDING OF MEMBERS PRESENT AND ABSENT
APPROVAL OR REVISION OF ORDER OF AGENDA ITEMS
PUBLIC NOTIFICATION OF MEETING PROCEDURES
URGENT COMMUNICATION
Anyone with an urgent communication on a topic not on the agenda may address the Commission at this time. Please
notify the Community Development Director in advance .
CONSENT CALENDAR
1. Minutes May 23, 2017
PUBLIC HEARINGS
2. 1650 Los Gamos Dr. (Kaiser Permanente Medical Office Building) -Notice of Preparation (State
Clearinghouse # 2017062019) and scoping of issues for preparation of a 'focused' Environmental Impact Report
(EIR) for the conversion of an existing office building to medical office uses and new 514 stall, three story parking
garage . Request for Planned Development (PD) Amendment, Master Use Permit, Environmental and Design
Review Permit and Sign Program amendment for use change and new parking structure , site improvements and
signage .APNs: 165-220-12 , 165-220-13 ; Zone ; PD 1950, Applicant ; Kaiser Permanente, Owner and Applicant;
Case Number(s): UP17-005 , ZC17-001 , SP17-002, NM17-001 , IS17-001 , ED17-001. Project Planner: Sean
Kennings
DIRECTOR'S REPORT
COMMISSION COMMUNICATION
ADJOURNMENT:
I. Next Meeting: July 11, 2017
II. I, Anne Derrick, hereby certify that on Friday, June 23, 2017, I posted a notice of the June 27,2017 Planning
Commission meeting on the City of San Rafael Agenda Board .
• Sign interpreters and assistive listenin g devices may be requested by calling 4151485-3085 (voice) or 4151485-3198 (TOO) at least 72 hours in
advance. Copies of documents are available in accessible formats upon request.
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415/454-0964 .
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Any records relatmg to an agenda item. receIved by a majonty or more of the Agency Board less than 72 hours before the meetmg, shall be available for Inspection In the
Community Development Department. Third Floor, 1400 Fifth Avenue. and placed with other a{}enda~related materials on the table in front of the Council Chamber prior to
the meeting.
THE PLANNING COMMISSION WILL TAKE UP NO NEW BUSINESS AFTER 11 :00 P.M. AT REGULARLY SCHEDULED MEETINGS. THIS SHALL BE INTERPRETED
TO MEAN THAT NO AGENDA ITEM OR OTHER BUSINESS WlLL BE DISCUSSED OR ACTED UPON AFTER THE AGENDA lTEM UNDER CONSIDERATION AT
11:00 P.M. THE COMMISSION MAY SUSPEND THIS RULE TO DISCUSS AND/OR ACT UPON ANY ADDITIONAL AGENDA ITEM(S) DEEMED APPROPRIA TE BY A
UNANIMOUS VOTE OF THE MEMBERS PRESENTAPPEAL RIGHTS: ANY PERSON MAY FILE AN APPEAL OF THE PLANNING COMMISSION'S ACTION ON
AGENDA ITEMS WITHIN FIVE BUSINESS DA YS (NORMALL Y 5:00 P.M. ON THE FOLLOWING TUESDA Y) ANO WITHIN 10 CALENDAR OA YS OF AN ACTION ON A
SUBDIVISION. AN APPEAL LETTER SHALL BE FILED WITH THE CITY CLERK, ALONG WITH AN APPEAL FEE OF $350 (FOR NON~APPLICANTS) OR A $4,476
DEPOSIT (FOR APPLICANTS) MADE PAYABLE TO THE CITY OF SAN RAFAEL, AND SHALL SET FORTH THE BASIS FOR APPEAL THERE IS A $50.00
ADDITIONAL CHARGE FOR REQUEST FOR CONTINUATION OF AN APPEAL BY APPELLANT.
IN THE COUNCIL CHAMBERS OF THE CITY OF SAN RAFAEL, May 23,2017
Regular Meeting
San Rafael Planning Commission Minutes
For a complete video of this meeting, go to http://www.cityofsanrafael.org/meetings
CALL TO ORDER
Present: Barrett Schaefer
Berenice Davidson
Mark Lubamersky
Sarah Loughran
Absent: Larry Paul
Jack Robertson
Gerald Belletto
Also Present: Raffi Boloyan, Planning Manager
Cory Bytof
PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
RECORDING OF MEMBERS PRESENT AND ABSENT
APPROVAL OR REVISION OF ORDER OF AGENDA ITEMS
PUBLIC NOTIFICATION OF MEETING PROCEDURES
URGENT COMMUNICATION
CONSENT CALENDAR
1. Minutes, March 14, 2017
Barrett Schaefer moved and Mark Lubamersky seconded to approve Minutes as presented. The vote is
as follows:
AYES:
NOES:
ABSTAIN:
ABSENT:
Barrett Schaefer, Berenice Davidson, Mark Lubamersky, Sarah Loughran
None
None
Larry Paul, Jack Robertson, Gerald Belletto
PUBLIC HEARINGS
2.. Presentation on City's Green and Sustainable Building Regulations. Project Number P17·
008. Project Planner: Raffi Boloyan
Staff Report
This was a presentation and no action was taken.
3. Presentation and update for Preliminary Work Program for San Rafael General Plan 2040
Update: Case Number(s): GPA16·001/P16·013. Project Planner: Rafti Boloyan
Staff Report
This was a Presentation and no action was taken.
DIRECTOR'S REPORT
COMMISSION COMMUNICATION
ADJOURNMENT:
ANNE DERRICK, Administrative Assistant III
APPROVED THIS __ DAY __ OF ___ , 2017
Berenice Davidson, Chair
Community Development Department – Planning Division
Meeting Date: June 27, 2017
Agenda Item:
Case Numbers:
UP17-005, ZC17-001, SP17-
002, NM17-001, IS17-001,
ED17-001
Project Planner:
Sean Kennings: (415) 533-2111
REPORT TO PLANNING COMMISSION
SUBJECT: 1650 Los Gamos Dr. (Kaiser Permanente Medical Office Building) – Notice of
Preparation (State Clearinghouse # 2017062019) and scoping of issues for preparation
of a ‘focused’ Environmental Impact Report (EIR) for the conversion of an existing office
building to medical office uses and new 514 stall, three story parking garage. Request
for Planned Development (PD) Amendment, Master Use Permit, Environmental and
Design Review Permit and Sign Program amendment for use change and new parking
structure, site improvements and signage. APNs: 165-220-12, 165-220-13; Zone; PD
1950, Applicant; Kaiser Permanente, Owner and Applicant; Case Number(s): UP17-
005, ZC17-001, SP17-002, NM17-001, IS17-001, ED17-001
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
The City of San Rafael is the lead agency and will prepare an Environmental Impact Report (EIR) for a
proposed. An Initial Study (IS17-001) has been prepared for the project which has determined that the
project will have “No Impact”, a “Less Than Significant Impact” or a “Less Than Significant With
Mitigation Incorporated” on the following environmental factors and do not warrant further study:
Aesthetics, Agriculture Resources, Biological Resources, Cultural Resources,
Geology/Soils, Hazards/Hazardous Materials, Hydrology/Water Quality, Mineral
Resources, Population/Housing, Public Services, Recreation, Tribal Cultural
Resources and Utilities/Service Systems
The Initial Study determined that the project will have a “Potentially Significant Impact” on the following
topic areas:
Air Quality – Impact to air quality of the site and its surroundings due to unknown construction related
impacts and temporary and operational impacts related to increases traffic trips to and from the
project site.; and
Green House Gas Emissions – Impact to greenhouse gas emissions due to unknown construction
related impacts and temporary and operational impacts related to increases traffic trips to and from
the project site; and
Land Use/Planning – Potential impacts to greenhouse gas emissions related issues due to unknown
construction and operational impacts which may not be consistent with adopted San Rafael plans
and policies; and
Noise – Impact to noise related issues due to unknown construction related impacts and temporary
and operational impacts related to increases traffic trips to and from the project site; and
Traffic and Transportation – Impact to Traffic and circulation networks due to the proposed project
and increase in 473 peak hour trips in and out of the project site.
REPORT TO PLANNING COMMISSION Page 2
Case No: UP17-005; ZC17-001; SP17-002; NM17-001; IS17-001; ED17-001
Due to these “Potentially Significant Impacts”, the preparation of an EIR is required for the project, which
will focus on those environmental factors not determined by the Initial Study as having “No Impact”, a
“Less Than Significant Impact” or a “Less Than Significant With Mitigation Incorporated”.
On June 9, 2017, a Notice of Preparation (NOP) was issued and sent to the Office of Planning and
Research State Clearinghouse (OPR) and all interested parties (Planning Commission, responsible
agencies, utility providers, neighborhood groups and property owners and occupants within a 300’
radius) announcing the initiation of the EIR process, providing a 30-day review period (which ends on
July 10, 2017) and soliciting comments on the scope of issues to be addressed and alternatives that
should be considered in the EIR (Exhibit 2). The purpose of tonight’s public meeting is also to solicit
those comments and accept oral comments. Scoping comments should focus on issues and alternatives
to be studied, not on expressing a preference for a particular alternative, or on the merits of the project.
Written comments will be accepted through the end of the 30 day review period, which is Monday, July
10, 2017 at 5pm
Once comments have been received, the scope of the EIR will be established. The EIR will analyze the
extent to which the project design and alternatives would result in significant environmental impacts and
will identify appropriate project modifications or mitigation measures to reduce or eliminate these
impacts.
After July 10, 2017, the last scheduled date for the receipt of scoping comments, the preparation of the
Draft EIR (DEIR) will begin. The DEIR is expected to be completed within approximately two months,
followed by a 45-day public review period and further Commission hearings on the DEIR, Final EIR
(FEIR), and the project merits before the Planning Commission and ultimately the City Council.
RECOMMENDATION
It is recommended that the Planning Commission take the following action:
1. Accept public testimony on the Notice of Preparation (NOP) and scope of issues to be addressed
in the EI; and
2. Direct staff to prepare a Draft Environmental Impact Report (DEIR), taking into consideration
verbal and written comments received during the scoping period.
PROPERTY FACTS
Address/Location: 1650 Los Gamos Drive Parcel Number(s): 165-220-12, 165-220-13
Property Size: 7.02-acres(305,791 sq ft)
4.09-acres (178,160 sq ft)
11.1-acres total (483,951 sq ft)
Neighborhood: North San Rafael
Commercial
Site Characteristics
General Plan Designation Zoning Designation Existing Land-Use
Project Site: O PD 1590 Office building, surface
parking
North: N/A N/A County undeveloped
South: Office PD 1590 Office, surface parking
East: N/a N/A Highway 101
West: OS, LDR P/OS, R7.5 Open Space, Residential
REPORT TO PLANNING COMMISSION Page 3
Case No: UP17-005; ZC17-001; SP17-002; NM17-001; IS17-001; ED17-001
Site Description/Setting:
The project site is located in the North San Rafael Commercial Center district just west of Highway 101
and just south of the intersection of Lucas Valley Rd. and Los Gamos Dr. The subject building is
surrounded by several existing surface parking lots, along with a County of Marin‐owned office building
to the south, at 1600 Los Gamos Dr. and the Marin YMCA at 1500 Los Gamos Dr. The approximately
340,000 sq. ft. County building at 1600 Los Gamos Dr. is used as the Emergency Operations Center
(EOC), Sherriff’s offices, and other county functions, as well as some limited non-county general office
uses including a daycare center and private school. The project site is located in a mixed‐use
office/commercial area and is separated from the nearest residential neighborhood by an open space
hillside.
The existing 1650 Los Gamos Dr. building (Assessor Parcel Number’s [APN] 165‐220‐13) is three stories
in height, approximately 148,000 sq. ft., and located on approximately 4.09-acres of land with surface
parking.
The site of the proposed Parking Structure (APN 165‐220‐12) is approximately 7.02-acres in size,
located to the west of 1650 Los Gamos Dr., on the west side of Los Gamos Drive. The parcel consists of
an existing surface parking lot and vegetative hillside, and abuts an undeveloped hillside slope, with a
single‐family subdivision above. There is also an existing sanitary sewer line running through the parcel.
The surface parking site over which Kaiser holds an easement over a portion of the adjacent parcel
(1600 Los Gamos Drive), which provides 42 parking spaces for the use of 1650 Los Gamos Dr..
Together, these parcels are the “Project Site”.
BACKGROUND
Both 1650 and 1600 Los Gamos Dr. were originally constructed pursuant to a Planned Development
(“PD”) District, which allows 1650 Los Gamos Dr. to be constructed with up to 150,000 sq. ft. of office
uses and 1600 Los Gamos Dr. to be constructed with up to 340,000 sq. ft. of general office uses. When
the County purchased the 1600 Los Gamos Dr. property a few years ago to establish their Sherriff’s
Office EOC, they were exempt from the City’s Planned Development zoning standards, since the County
is a higher governmental agency and can exempt themselves from a lower government’s regulations.
Currently, both properties, even though separately owned, are covered under one City of San Rafael PD
District. The current PD only allows for general office uses, in both buildings, but as noted above, the
County is exempted from the PD zoning. Therefore, Kaiser has proposed to create a new PD to cover
their property and include their proposed use of the site.
PROJECT DESCRIPTION
Use:
The proposed project includes the conversion of an existing 148,000 sq. ft. office building from general
office uses to medical office uses for Kaiser Permanente. Since the current PD zoning does not allow
medical office uses, the applicant has requested a PD Rezoning and Master Use Permit Amendment to
allow the medical office use of the site. The project also proposes the construction of an up to 511‐
space, three level parking structure on the existing surface parking lot located to the west of
1650 Los Gamos Dr. that will primarily serve the Kaiser Permanente employees working at the
property. The proposed project also includes the continued use of existing 42 parking spaces located on
the adjacent 1600 Los Gamos Dr. property. Kaiser Permanente has legal access to the use of those
parking spaces through an easement and is not proposing any changes to the parking spaces. The
preliminary Draft Traffic Impact Analysis included with the application identifies the need for a signalized
intersection at Los Gamos Dr. and Lucas Valley Rd. and those improvements to signalize and widen
REPORT TO PLANNING COMMISSION Page 4
Case No: UP17-005; ZC17-001; SP17-002; NM17-001; IS17-001; ED17-001
the intersection of Los Gamos Dr./Lucas Valley Rd., are included in the project and will be evaluated
through the environmental review process.
At full buildout, the proposed medical office building would contain approximately 70 provider offices
anticipated to include the following services: Member Services, Health Education, Internal Medicine,
Pediatrics, OB/GYN, Endocrinology, Rheumatology, Dermatology, Eye Services, Physical Therapy,
Imaging, Pharmacy, and Laboratory.
There would be approximately 315 employees working at 1650 Los Gamos Dr. at full buildout. Many of
these employees, about 77%, or 245, would be relocated from existing Kaiser Permanente facilities in
Marin County. Approximately 70%, or 170, of these relocated Marin employees would be relocated from
the Kaiser Permanente Medical Center at 99 Montecillo Rd., San Rafael. Kaiser has indicated that their
goal is to free up space at the main hospital located at 99 Monticello Rd and relocate outpatient/primary
services to the 1650 Los Gamos site. Specialists and hospital based providers would be retained at the
99 Monticello Drive location. The facilities at the hospital are considered small and dated with multiple
providers sharing limited space. Relocation of outpatient services will allow modernization of existing
hospital offices for current provider needs.
The proposed project will not increase the footprint, height or massing of the building. The medical office
uses will be contained within the existing building and no substantial exterior changes are proposed to
the MOB. The only proposed exterior changes to the existing building at 1650 Los Gamos Dr. are minor
improvements to the landscaping and new signage to identify the facility and provide a brand identity.
Access, Circulation and Parking
There are a total of 455 existing parking spaces allocated to the project site consisting of:
• 204 spaces surrounding the building at 1650 Los Gamos Dr.
• 209 spaces on the existing surface parking lot on the west side of Los Gamos Dr.
• 42 spaces located on the adjacent 1600 Los Gamos Dr. property, but are legally allocated to
1650 Los Gamos Dr. through an easement
The overall project site currently provides approximately 3.1 parking spaces to 1,000 sq. ft. of office
space (a parking ratio of 3.1:1,000), consistent with the City’s municipal code provisions in place at the
time the building was originally constructed. To meet current City parking requirements for medical office
uses, Kaiser Permanente is required to provide additional parking, as discussed below.
The existing building is served by 455 existing parking spaces. The current City municipal code requires
a parking ratio of 4.4:1,000 for medical uses (1 space/225 sq. ft. (gross), which would result in a shortfall
of approximately 203 parking spaces once the entire building is converted to medical office. As a result,
Kaiser Permanente needs to provide at least 203 additional parking spaces to meet the City’s minimum
requirements. In addition, based on its experience, Kaiser Permanente’s preferred parking ratio is
5:1,000 (1 space per 200 sq. ft.) , or about 285 additional parking spaces, since many of its members are
unable to take public transit due to the health issues for which they are visiting the facility.
To provide adequate parking for the use of the project at 1650 Los Gamos Dr., the Applicant is proposing
to construct a new three-level, 511‐space parking structure on the surface parking lot to the west of the
existing building. At 511 parking spaces, the new parking structure would provide a net increase of 302
parking spaces, which along with the 242 parking spaces that would remain around the building, would
result in a total of 753 parking spaces, meeting the Kaiser Permanente standard.
Parking Structure
The proposed parking structure is partially buried into the hillside and screened by existing mature trees,
including several tall redwoods. The trees provide a back drop for the parking structure which also
REPORT TO PLANNING COMMISSION Page 5
Case No: UP17-005; ZC17-001; SP17-002; NM17-001; IS17-001; ED17-001
buffers it from surrounding properties. The design of the parking structure is a simple, straight‐forward
approach with concrete as the main structural component. There are railings at each level along the east
and north sides of the facility that provides open ends. The proposed parking structure will have an
enclosed elevator and stair element at the southeast corner adjacent to the existing cross walk. The
elevator/stair element will be clad in a material that will provide texture that softens and blends well with
the concrete structure. Use of the same cladding at the upper portion of the northeast corner helps define
the vehicular entry/exit and wraps the stairs at this end to relate to the elevator/stair element at the
opposite end. The proposed parking structure will be fully sprinklered and outfitted with fire
extinguishers/cabinets per current codes and ordinances. Fire access will also be provided by fire lanes
on both the north and south side of the parking structure, and from Los Gamos Dr. The parking structure
will have LED lighting throughout and will be fully accessible per ADA requirements.
Vehicular access would be provided from Los Gamos Dr. The three existing driveways on the east side
of Los Gamos Dr. will continue to provide primary access to the existing building. The parking structure
would be accessed by a single driveway on the west side of Los Gamos Dr., with fire lanes located on
both the north and south side of the structure. Kaiser Permanente requests that the City allow it to stripe
“Keep Clear” lane markings in front of the parking structure driveway to permit vehicles turning in and out
of the driveway when traffic along Los Gamos Dr. is in queue.
Pedestrians would be able to access the project site from the sidewalks on both sides of Los Gamos Dr.,
connecting to sidewalks along Lucas Valley Rd., as well as connect to the bus pad/stop at the Highway
101 ramp interchange.
Bicyclists would be able to access the project site from the existing Class II bike lane on Lucas Valley
Rd.. The Project will also provide approximately 64 on‐site bicycle parking spaces (34 at the MOB, 30 at
the parking structure) to encourage bicycle usage.
Transportation Demand Management Program
The San Rafael Medical Center operates an existing transportation demand management program (“San
Rafael Kaiser Permanente TDM”) to increase the use of alternative modes of transportation by
employees. Currently, the San Rafael Kaiser Permanente TDM includes the Kaiser Permanente facilities
at: 99 Montecillo Rd., 820 Las Gallinas, 111 Smith Ranch Rd., 100 Smith Ranch Rd., 7200 Redwood
Blvd., 1033 3rd Street, 3900 Lakeville Hwy, and 97 San Marin Dr.. The 1650 Los Gamos Dr. MOB would
be included into the existing program. The MOB will also provide on‐site bicycle parking, as well as
dedicated parking for carpool/vanpools and electric charging stations for electric vehicles, to comply with
San Rafael regulatory requirements.
Drainage and Grading
The proposed project site would require approximately 15,000 cubic yards of excavation for construction
of the parking structure. This 15,000 cu yds of material would be removed from the site. Excavation
would attempt to minimize impacts to existing mature trees and vegetation. The parking structure will
have a concrete retaining wall system integrated with the overall structural system. Retaining walls with
be primarily on the south, west and north sides. The water retention/planter area on the east side utilizes
concrete retainage.
A 6‐inch public sanitary sewer main, operated and maintained by the Las Gallinas Valley Sanitary
District (“LGVSD”), runs in a 10‐foot easement through the site of the proposed parking structure. This
pipe will be re‐routed around west and north side of the parking structure footprint.
Landscaping and Associated Improvements
The parking structure is proposed to be located within the footprint of an existing parking lot to reduce the
limits of disturbance. The majority of trees proposed for removal are mature landscaping trees located
REPORT TO PLANNING COMMISSION Page 6
Case No: UP17-005; ZC17-001; SP17-002; NM17-001; IS17-001; ED17-001
within the footprint of the existing surface parking lot. Approximately 61 trees are proposed to be
removed and 31 new trees would be planted around the perimeter of the parking structure as
replacement. The existing and proposed perimeter trees will provide screening of the new parking
structure and provide habitat for local species. The design also integrates terraced planter walls that
collect and treat stormwater in native planting beds. The terraces help transition the grade change from
street level to the parking structure.
Additional approvals may be required from the County of Marin and the California Department of
Transportation (Caltrans), as responsible agencies, to allow for any project mitigations identified within
their jurisdictional boundaries. Approvals from the Las Gallinas Valley Sanitary District will also be
required to relocate the sanitary sewer line. Other responsible agencies and additional approvals may
be identified through the environmental review process.
The project includes requests for the following entitlements:
1. An Environmental and Design Review Permit (ED17-001)for the design of the new three story
parking structure and other site improvements;
2. A Use Permit (UP17-005) to allow medical office uses, pursuant to Section 14.07.020 of the San
Rafael Municipal Code;
3. A Planned District (PD) Rezoning (ZC17-001) for PD amendment to separate this site from the
current PD District (which includes the County property) and allow medical office uses;
4. A Sign Program (SP17-002) to allow new monuments signage on the existing site and building.
ANALYSIS
Probable Environmental Effects:
The purpose of this scoping meeting is to afford agencies and the general public an opportunity to
provide verbal comments on the scope of issues to be addressed in the EIR for the proposed project.
Although such a meeting is not required under CEQA, it offers another vehicle for public participation in
addition to the submittal of written comments within the legally required 30 day public review period.
Public comments at the scoping meeting should be limited to the scope of issues to be addressed in the
EIR; comments on the merits of the project are not appropriate, as there will be subsequent hearings for
that purpose following preparation of an EIR. At the conclusion of the scoping and Notice of Preparation
(NOP) period, the scope of environmental factors that will be studied in the EIR will be established and
the additional analysis and study can commence and a Draft EIR will be prepared.
The purpose of the EIR is to provide full disclosure, in advance, of the potential environmental impacts
that would result from implementation of the proposed project, and allow decision makers and the public
to understand the full environmental impacts of a proposed project. The EIR will analyze the extent to
which the project design and alternatives would result in significant environmental impacts and will
identify appropriate project modifications or mitigation measures to reduce or eliminate these impacts.
An Initial Study was prepared for the project to determine if an EIR is required (A copy of the Initial Study
was distributed to the Planning Commissioners, responsible agencies and appropriate neighborhood
groups at the start of the required 30-day noticing period. A copy of the Initial Study was also posted
online at the City’s website and made available at both the City Library and City Hall.). The Initial Study
determined that the project will have “No Impact”, a “Less Than Significant Impact” or a “Less Than
Significant With Mitigation Incorporated” on the following environmental factors in the Initial Study
Checklist and do not warrant further study:
Agriculture Resources,
Biological Resources,
Geology/Soils,
Hazards/Hazardous Materials,
Hydrology/Water Quality,
Mineral Resources,
Population/Housing,
Public Services,
Recreation, and
Utilities/Service Systems
The Initial Study determined that the project will have a “Potentially Significant Impact” on:
Air Quality – Impact to air quality of the site and its surroundings due to unknown construction related
impacts and temporary and operational impacts related to increases traffic trips to and from the
project site.; and
Green House Gas Emissions – Impact to greenhouse gas emissions due to unknown construction
related impacts and temporary and operational impacts related to increases traffic trips to and from
the project site; and
Land Use/Planning – Potential impacts to greenhouse gas emissions related issues due to unknown
construction and operational impacts which may not be consistent with adopted San Rafael plans
and policies; and
Noise – Impact to noise related issues due to unknown construction related impacts and temporary
and operational impacts related to increases traffic trips to and from the project site; and
Traffic and Transportation – Impact to Traffic and circulation networks due to the proposed project
and increase in 473 peak hour trips in and out of the project site.
Due to these “Potentially Significant Impacts”, the preparation of an EIR is required for the project, which
will focus on those environmental factors not determined by the Initial Study as having “No Impact”, a
“Less Than Significant Impact” or a “Less Than Significant With Mitigation Incorporated”.
Air Quality/Greenhouse Gas Emissions
The Initial Study provides a preliminary analysis to identify the impacts of the project upon Air Quality
considerations. Based upon this initial review, preparation of an EIR is required. The EIR will include
analysis of potential traffic mitigation measures as well as potential temporary and cumulative mitigation
measures necessary to reduce potential air quality impacts to less than significant levels. The EIR would
also address project alternatives to analyze this potentially significant adverse impact. The EIR will
include analysis of potential design mitigation measures as well as project alternatives to address this
significant adverse impact.
Land Use and Planning
The Initial Study did not fully evaluate the analysis related to temporary construction activities and long-
term operational activities of the proposed project as it relates to traffic. As such, the evaluation of
greenhouse gas emissions is still yet to be determined. This potentially significant impact could also
mean that there is inconsistency with the adopted San Rafael Climate Action Plan. The EIR will include
analysis of potential construction mitigation measures, propose traffic improvements, proposed Traffic
Demand Management measures, and project alternatives to address this significant adverse impact.
Noise
The Initial Study did not fully evaluate the analysis related to temporary construction activities and long-
term operational activities of the proposed project as it relates to noise considerations The project
applicant has submitted a Traffic Impact Analysis of the proposed project that will be evaluated pursuant
to CEQA and the City of San Rafael standards and regulations. As such, impacts related to increased
traffic trips would be addressed in the project EIR. This Initial Study provides a preliminary analysis to
identify the impacts of the project upon Noise considerations. Based upon this initial review, preparation
of an Environmental Impact Report is required. The EIR will provide analysis of potential traffic,
REPORT TO PLANNING COMMISSION Page 8
Case No: UP17-005; ZC17-001; SP17-002; NM17-001; IS17-001; ED17-001
construction, and operational impacts and as a result potential temporary and cumulative mitigation
measures necessary to reduce potential Noise impacts to less than significant levels. The EIR would
also address project alternatives to analyze this potentially significant adverse impact.
Traffic and Transportation
The Initial Study, through evaluation of the Draft Traffic Impact Analysis (DTIA), identified potential
impacts related to expected transportation conditions from the change in use, that would result in
additional new vehicular trips (above those associated with the existing 148,000 sq. ft. general office
building). The DTIA study analyzed expected conditions with the proposed project condition in place
under Existing, Baseline, and Cumulative conditions. The Applicant’s traffic consultant, Fehr & Peers,
determined that the proposed project would result in transportation impacts at several intersections. As
such, the DTIA includes potential mitigation measures to reduce the proposed project’s impacts to less
than significant with mitigation incorporated, where feasible. Potential mitigation measures include
improving the Lucas Valley Rd./Los Gamos Dr. intersection, consistent with the improvements identified
in the San Rafael General Plan 2020, and a Transportation Demand Management (TDM) program to
reduce peak hour employee single-occupant vehicle trips.
The Initial Study provides a preliminary analysis to identify the impacts of the project upon traffic and
transportation considerations. Because a comprehensive analysis of traffic and parking has not yet been
completed, the proposed project may potentially result in significant traffic and transportation impacts.
Based upon this potential for significant impacts, preparation of an EIR is required to further evaluate the
project. As such, the preliminary evaluation of the DTIA recognizes that a full analysis, complete with
revisions and updated data and discussions, will be prepared as a Final TIA and will be included as part
of the EIR process. Although, the DTIA may be referenced in the EIR, the Final TIA would be the source
document for the final analysis. Therefore, the EIR will analyze potential mitigation measures, as well as
potential temporary and cumulative mitigation measures appropriate to reduce potential traffic and
transportation impacts to less than significant levels.
Project Alternatives
CEQA requires that an EIR also describe and study a range of reasonable alternatives to a project,
which would feasibly attain most of the basic objectives of the project, but avoid or substantially lessen
any of the significant effects of the project. One of the intents of the NOP and the Commission’s scoping
session is to help determine ‘legitimate’ potential alternatives to the project for discussion in the EIR. The
EIR will discuss as yet unknown potential alternatives to the proposed project in addition to a no-project
alternative. Staff has preliminarily identified two (2) potential alternatives, aside from the no project
alternative that is required by CEQA:
1. A ‘reduced’ project which reduces the amount of allowable medical office spaces, thereby
reducing the anticipated peak hour traffic trips and parking allocation requirement such that
the traffic impact would be reduced and parking structure would be smaller;
2. The project as proposed, but relocating them off-site to a separate site; and
3. ‘No project’ (as required by CEQA).
Notice of Preparation
Pursuant to Section 15082 of the CEQA Guidelines, the Notice of Preparation (NOP) was sent on June
9, 2017, to the State Clearinghouse (SCH# 2017062019) announcing the initiation of the EIR process
and to solicit comments from responsible and trustee agencies. In addition, public notice was mailed to
utility providers, organizations, environmental groups, neighboring property owners, homeowners
associations in the adjacent neighborhoods, and interested parties concerning the scope of issues to be
addressed in the EIR. In addition, a Notice of this Scoping Meeting was posted on the project site,
published in the Marin Independent Journal on June 10, 2017, and mailed to all property owners and
occupants within 300 feet of the subject property.
REPORT TO PLANNING COMMISSION Page 9
Case No: UP17-005; ZC17-001; SP17-002; NM17-001; IS17-001; ED17-001
Pursuant to the CEQA-mandated 30-day public review period from receipt of the NOP, the City will
accept written comments through Monday, July 10, 2017 at 5pm. Oral comments will be accepted at the
Planning Commission meeting on June 27, 2017, although the public is encouraged to submit written
comments in addition to verbal comments provided at the meeting. Again, it is emphasized that
comments should be restricted to the scope of environmental issues to be addressed in the EIR, and not
on the merits of the project. Following the close of the NOP review period, City staff and the EIR
consultant will review comments received and finalize consultant’s scope of work for preparation of a
Draft Environmental Impact Report (DEIR).
CORRESPONDENCE
Correspondence in response to the NOP received as of Wednesday, June 21, 2017, the time of printing
and releasing staff’s report, is attached as Exhibit 4. Comments received include:
Office of Planning and Research State Clearinghouse, dated June 9, 2017, acknowledging receipt of
the NOP (SCH# 2017062019); and
Alex Kugelman, 56 Salvador Way
Correspondence received after Wednesday, June 21 2017 to Friday, June 23, 2017 will be forwarded to
the Commission under separate cover. Correspondence received after Friday, June 23, 2017, until the
hearing date (Tuesday, July 27, 2017), shall be presented to the Commission during the scoping
session.
EXHIBITS
1. Vicinity Map
2. Notice of Preparation
3. Correspondence
Project Plans (11” x 17” color plan sets distributed to the Planning Commission only)
Initial Study (previously distributed to the Planning Commission on June 12, 2017)
Copies of the initial study and project plans can be found at www.cityofsanrafael.org/kaiser-losgamos
Community Development
Department
MEMORANDUM
DATE: June 9, 2017
TO: Mayor Phillips and City Council Members
Chairman Belletto and Planning Commissioners
CC: Jim Schutz, City Manager
FROM: Raffi Boloyan, Planning Manager
SUBJECT: Initial Study, Notice of Preparation (NOP) for Draft Environmental Impact
Report (DEIR) for conversion of existing office building to medical office
uses and new parking structure at 1650 Los Gamos Drive (Los Gamos
Drive and Lucas Valley Road). APNs: 165-220-12, 165-220-13. File No’s:
[UP17-005; ZC17-001; SP17-002; NM17-001; IS17-001; ED17-001]
An Initial Study (IS) has been prepared for the above referenced project, which includes the
proposed conversion of an existing office building to medical office use for Kaiser, construction
of a new parking structure on an existing surface parking lot and potential signalized
intersection at Los Gamos Drive and Lucas Valley Road. The IS determined the project will
have a “Potentially Significant Impact” on:
Air Quality – Impact to air quality of the site and its surroundings due to unknown
construction related impacts and temporary and operational impacts related to increases
traffic trips to and from the project site.; and
Green House Gas Emissions – Impact to greenhouse gas emissions due to unknown
construction related impacts and temporary and operational impacts related to increases
traffic trips to and from the project site; and
Land Use/Planning – Potential impacts to greenhouse gas emissions related issues due
to unknown construction and operational impacts which may not be consistent with
adopted San Rafael plans and policies; and
Noise – Impact to noise related issues due to unknown construction related impacts and
temporary and operational impacts related to increases traffic trips to and from the
project site; and
Traffic and Transportation – Impact to Traffic and circulation networks due to the
proposed project and increase in 473 peak hour trips in and out of the project site.
Due to these “Potentially Significant Impact”, the preparation of an Environmental Impact
Report (EIR) is required for the project. A Notice of Preparation (NOP) of an EIR is the required
first step before commencing with the preparation of the Draft EIR. The NOP is required to
establish the scope of what should be studied in the Draft EIR.
Community Development
Department
MEMORANDUM
A copy of the NOP has been sent out to all interested parties with a 30-day review period,
inviting written comments on the scope of the EIR and alternatives that should be considered.
The 30-day comment period on the NOP will conclude on Monday, July 10, 2017 at 5pm.
The City will also hold a public scoping meeting before the City of San Rafael Planning
Commission on Tuesday, July 27, 2017, at 7:00 p.m. The Initial Study is being distributed at
the start of the public review period to allow the Commission an opportunity to review the
document. A staff report summarizing the initial study will be distributed to the Commission on
the Friday, before the scoping meeting, or Friday, June 23, 2017.
The Intimal Study is being distributed to the Council as a “heads up” on this project so they are
aware an EIR is to be prepared. The Council will not review this project until the Planning
Commission reviews the Draft EIR, Final EIR and makes its recommendations to the Council.
This is not anticipated to occur until late 2017 or early 2018
Comments may also be sent by email to Sean Kennings, the planner contracted to handle the
environmental documents for the project, at sean@lakassocaites.com with the heading “1650
Los Gamos: Kaiser Medical Office Building” in the subject line.
Bound copies of the project’s IS are available to review, during operating hours, at the City of
San Rafael Public Library and the City of San Rafael Community Development Department,
Planning Division. In addition, an electronic copy is available on the City’s web site at
https://www.cityofsanrafael.org/kaiser-losgamos/. CD-format copies of the IS are also
available to purchase at the Planning Division.
For additional information on the project, please contact Sean Kennings, the project planner, at
(415) 533-2111, sean@lakassocaites.com, or alternatively, you can contact me at (415) 485-
3095 or raffi.boloyan@cityofsanrafael.org
KAISER PERMANENTE MEDICAL OFFICE BUILDING
1650 Los Gamos, San Rafael, CA
Assessor’s Parcel Numbers: 011-256-12, 011-256-13
Initial Study and Notice of Preparation (NOP) of an
Environmental Impact Report (EIR)
Lead Agency:
City of San Rafael
Community Development Department
1400 Fifth Avenue (P.O. Box 151560)
San Rafael, CA 94915-1560
Contact: Sean Kennings – LAK Associates
June 9, 2017
This Page Intentionally Left Blank
TABLE OF CONTENTS
NOTICE OF INTENT .............................................................................................................................................5
SUMMARY OF IMPACTS AND MITIGATION MEASURES .........................................................................7
ENVIRONMENTAL CHECKLIST .....................................................................................................................20
EXHIBITS ...............................................................................................................................................................27
ENVIRONMENTAL FACTORS POTENTIALLY AFFECTED .....................................................................31
EVALUATION OF ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACTS ........................................................................................32
EVALUATION OF THE PROJECT ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACTS IS PREPARED AS FOLLOWS: ...32
I. AESTHETICS ..............................................................................................................................32
II. AGRICULTURE AND FOREST RESOURCES ........................................................................37
III. AIR QUALITY .............................................................................................................................38
IV. BIOLOGICAL RESOURCES ......................................................................................................41
V. CULTURAL RESOURCES ........................................................................................................45
VI. GEOLOGY AND SOILS .............................................................................................................49
VII. GREENHOUSE GAS EMMISSIONS .........................................................................................53
VIII. HAZARDS AND HAZARDOUS MATERIALS .........................................................................55
IX. HYDROLOGY AND WATER QUALITY ..................................................................................59
X. LAND USE AND PLANNING....................................................................................................65
XI. MINERAL RESOURCES ............................................................................................................67
XII. NOISE ..........................................................................................................................................68
XIII. POPULATION AND HOUSING .................................................................................................70
XIV. PUBLIC SERVICES ....................................................................................................................72
XV. RECREATION .............................................................................................................................74
XVI. TRANSPORTATION/TRAFFIC .................................................................................................75
XVII. TRIBAL CULTURAL RESOURCES .........................................................................................81
XVIII. UTILITIES AND SERVICE SYSTEMS .....................................................................................84
XIX. MANDATORY FINDINGS OF SIGNIFICANCE .....................................................................88
SOURCE REFERENCES ......................................................................................................................................90
DETERMINATION FOR PROJECT ..................................................................................................................92
This Page Intentionally Left Blank
Notice of Intent 5 Kaiser Permanente: 1650 Los Gamos
Medical Office Building
NOTICE OF INTENT
DATE: June 9, 2017
TO: Public Agencies, Organizations and Interested Parties
FROM: Sean Kennings, LAK Associates - Contract Planner for City of San Rafael
SUBJECT: NOTICE OF PUBLIC REVIEW AND INTENT TO PREPARE AN
ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT REPORT
Pursuant to the State of California Public Resources Code and the “Guidelines for Implementation of the
California Environmental Quality Act of 1970” as amended to date, this is to advise you that the Department
of Community Development of the City of San Rafael has prepared an Initial Study on the following
project:
Project Name:
Kaiser Permanente 1650 Los Gamos Drive Medical Office Building
Location:
1650 Los Gamos Drive, San Rafael, Marin County, California, APNs: 165-220-12 and 165-220-13.
Property Description:
The subject property is approximately 11.1 acres in size located in north San Rafael. The subject property
consists of two separate parcels bisected by Los Gamos Drive. APN 165 -220-13 is a 178,160-square foot
parcel previously developed with an existing approximately 148,000 square foot office building and associated
surface parking. Across Los Gamos to the west is APN 165-220-12, a 305,791-square foot parcel developed
with an approximately 80,000 square foot terraced surface parking lot and landscaping. The remainder of this
parcel is characterized by oak woodland.
Project Description:
Kaiser Permanente is proposing a project with three components (collectively defined as “the proposed
project”):
• Amendment to the current Planned Development (PD) zoning to add medical office use as an
allowable use in the PD and allow the existing 148,000‐gross square foot office building, located at
1650 Los Gamos Drive in San Rafael, it to be utilized as a medical office building (“MOB”).
• The construction of an up‐to 511‐space parking structure on the existing surface parking lot located to
the west of 1650 Los Gamos Drive that will primarily serve the Kaiser Permanente employees
working at the MOB (“parking structure”).
Notice of Intent 6 Kaiser Permanente: 1650 Los Gamos
Medical Office Building
• Continued use of the 42 existing parking spaces located adjacent to 1650 Los Gamos Drive, on the
1600 Los Gamos Drive property. Kaiser Permanente has legal access to the use of those parking
spaces through an easement and is not proposing any changes to the parking spaces.
Both 1650 and 1600 Los Gamos Drive were originally developed pursuant to a single PD District, which
permits 1650 Los Gamos Drive to be constructed with up to 150,000 square feet of office uses and 1600 Los
Gamos Drive to be constructed with up to 340,000 square feet of office uses.
To provide adequate parking for the use of the MOB at 1650 Los Gamos Drive, Kaiser Permanente is
proposing to construct a new up-to 511‐space parking structure on the site of the existing surface parking lot to
the west of the existing building.
Discretionary approvals or permits needed to construct and operate the Project will include:
1) an amendment to the existing PD District for the site to (i) allow medical office uses at 1650 Los
Gamos Drive in addition to existing office uses, and to (ii) separate the PD District from 1600 Los
Gamos Drive, except for the surface parking area covered by an easement; 2) a Master Use Permit
Amendment; 3) a Major Design Review Permit; and 4) a Sign Program.
Additional approvals may be required from the County of Marin and the California Department of
Transportation (Caltrans), as responsible agencies, to allow for any project mitigations identified within their
jurisdictional boundaries. Approvals from the Las Gallinas Valley Sanitary District will also be required to
relocate the sanitary sewer line. Other responsible agencies and additional approva ls may be identified
through the environmental review process.
Environmental Issues:
The proposed project would result in significant adverse impacts upon traffic and circulation due to the
proposed requirement of a major intersection improvement. In addition, because a comprehensive analysis of
potential environmental impacts has not yet been undertaken, the proposed project could potentially result in
impacts to Air Quality, Greenhouse Gas Emissions, Land Use and Planning, Noise, and Traffic and
Transportation. These thresholds will be further discussed in an Environmental Impact Report (EIR) and
mitigations will be identified, analyzed and implemented to the extent feasible to reduce potential
environmental impacts to less than significant levels.
The Initial Study document has been prepared in consultation with local, and state responsible and trustee
agencies and in accordance with Section 15063 of the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA).
A thirty-day (30-day) public review period shall commence on June 9, 2017. Written comments must be
sent to the City of San Rafael, Community Development Department, Planning Division, 1400 Fifth Avenue,
San Rafael CA 94901 by July 10, 2017. The City of San Rafael Planning Commission will hold a public
hearing soliciting comments on the scope of issues to be addressed and alternatives that should be considered
in the EIR on June 27, 2017, 7:00 PM in the San Rafael City Council Chambers at City Hall (address
listed above). Correspondence and comments can be delivered to Sean Kennings, project planner,
phone: (415) 533-2111, email: sean@lakassociates.com.
Summary of Impacts and Mitigation Measures 7 Kaiser Permanente: 1650 Los Gamos
Medical Office Building
SUMMARY OF IMPACTS AND MITIGATION MEASURES
Summary of Impacts and Mitigation Measures
: Kaiser Permanente: 1650 Los Gamos Medical Office Building
Environmental Impacts Level of
Significance
Without
Mitigation
Mitigation Measures Level of
Significance
with Mitigation
Potentially Significant:
Less Than Significant Without Mitigation:
Less than Significant:
(PS)
(LTSWM)
(LTS)
(PS)
(LTSWM)
(LTS)
I. Aesthetics
I (d). Would the project:
Create a new source of substantial light or glare
which would adversely affect day or nighttime views
in the area?
PS MM AES-1: Prior to the issuance of any building permits,
the Project applicant shall submit to the satisfaction of the
Community Development Department Director, Project
building plans that include a photometric lighting study
demonstrating that outdoor lighting fixtures meet the
requirements of the California Energy Code (known as Part
6, Title 24 of the California Code of Regulations).
LTS
III. Air Quality
III (a): Would the project:
Conflict with or obstruct implementation of the
applicable air quality plan?
PS As the full analysis of traffic related impacts is still
unknown, air quality as it relates to project generated traffic
is also unknown. Based upon this initial review, preparation
of an Environmental Impact Report is required. The EIR
will analysis of potential traffic mitigation measures and as a
result potential temporary and cumulative mitigation
measures necessary to reduce potential air quality impacts to
less than significant levels. The EIR would also address
project alternatives to analyze this potentially significant
adverse impact.
PS
III (b): Would the project:
Violate any air quality standard or contribute
substantially to an existing or projected air quality
violation?
PS This Initial Study provides a preliminary analysis to identify
the impacts of the project upon Air Quality considerations.
Based upon this initial review, preparation of an
Environmental Impact Report is required. The EIR will
PS
Summary of Impacts and Mitigation Measures 8 Kaiser Permanente: 1650 Los Gamos
Medical Office Building
Summary of Impacts and Mitigation Measures
: Kaiser Permanente: 1650 Los Gamos Medical Office Building
Environmental Impacts Level of
Significance
Without
Mitigation
Mitigation Measures Level of
Significance
with Mitigation
include analysis of potential traffic mitigation measures as
well as potential temporary and cumulative mitigation
measures necessary to reduce potential air quality impacts to
less than significant levels. The EIR would also address
project alternatives to analyze this potentially significant
adverse impact.
III (c): Would the project:
Result in a cumulatively considerable net increase
any criteria pollutant for which the project region is
non–attainment under an applicable federal or state
ambient air quality standard (including releasing
emissions which exceed quantitative thresholds for
ozone precursors)?
PS This Initial Study provides a preliminary analysis to identify
the impacts of the project upon Air Quality considerations.
Based upon this initial review, preparation of an
Environmental Impact Report is required. The EIR will
provide analysis of potential traffic impacts and mitigation
measures as well as potential cumulative impacts and
subsequent mitigation measures necessary to reduce
potential impacts to less than significant levels will also be
evaluated. The EIR would also address project alternatives
to analyze this potentially significant adverse impact.
PS
III (d): Would the project:
Expose sensitive receptors to substantial pollutant
concentrations?
PS Because construction methods have not been fully
evaluated, preparation of an Environmental Impact Report is
required. The EIR will provide analysis of potential traffic
and construction impacts and mitigation measures as well as
potential cumulative impacts and subsequent mitigation
measures necessary to reduce potential impacts to less than
significant levels will also be evaluated. The EIR would
also address project alternatives to analyze this potentially
significant adverse impact.
PS
IV. Biological Resources
IV (d): Would the project: PS MM BIO-1: Prior to issuance of a grading or building LTS
Summary of Impacts and Mitigation Measures 9 Kaiser Permanente: 1650 Los Gamos
Medical Office Building
Summary of Impacts and Mitigation Measures
: Kaiser Permanente: 1650 Los Gamos Medical Office Building
Environmental Impacts Level of
Significance
Without
Mitigation
Mitigation Measures Level of
Significance
with Mitigation
Interfere substantially with the movement of any
native resident or migratory fish or wildlife species or
with established native resident or migratory wildlife
corridors, or impede the use of native wildlife nursery
sites?
permit, the project sponsor shall conduct a preconstruction
nesting bird and bat survey. Preconstruction surveys shall
include the following:
1) Perform any vegetation trimming and/or removal outside
of the bird nesting season (Sept. 1 – Feb. 14);
2) Provide a worker environmental awareness training for
construction personnel;
3) Perform preconstruction surveys for nesting migratory
birds by a qualified biologist no more than 72 hours prior to
the start of construction for activities occurring during the
breeding season (February 15 to August 31); and
4) If work is to occur within 300 feet of active raptor nests
or 50 feet of active passerine nests, non-disturbance buffers
will be established at a distance sufficient to minimize
disturbance.
V. Cultural Resources
V (b): Would the project:
Cause a substantial adverse change in the
significance of an archaeological resource pursuant to
§15064.5?
PS MM CULT-1: Protect Archaeological Resources
Identified during Construction: The project sponsor shall
ensure that construction crews stop all work within 100 feet
of the discovery until a qualified archaeologist can assess
the previously unrecorded discovery and provide
recommendations. Resources could include subsurface
historic features such as artifact-filled privies, wells, and
refuse pits, and artifact deposits, along with concentrations
of adobe, stone, or concrete walls or foundations, and
concentrations of ceramic, glass, or metal materials. Native
LTS
Summary of Impacts and Mitigation Measures 10 Kaiser Permanente: 1650 Los Gamos
Medical Office Building
Summary of Impacts and Mitigation Measures
: Kaiser Permanente: 1650 Los Gamos Medical Office Building
Environmental Impacts Level of
Significance
Without
Mitigation
Mitigation Measures Level of
Significance
with Mitigation
American archaeological materials could include obsidian
and chert flaked stone tools (such as projectile and dart
points), midden (culturally derived darkened soil containing
heat-affected rock, artifacts, animal bones, and/or shellfish
remains), and/or groundstone implements (such as mortars
and pestles).
V (d): Would the project:
Disturb any human remains, including those interred
outside of dedicated cemeteries?
PS MM CULT-2: Protect Human Remains Identified
During Construction: The Project proponent shall treat any
human remains and associated or unassociated funerary
objects discovered during soil-disturbing activities
according to applicable State laws. Such treatment includes
work stoppage and immediate notification of the Marin
County Coroner and qualified archaeologist, and in the
event that the Coroner’s determination that the human
remains are Native American, notification of NAHC
according to the requirements in PRC Section 5097.98.
NAHC would appoint a Most Likely Descendant (MLD). A
qualified archaeologist, Project proponent, County of Marin,
and MLD shall make all reasonable efforts to develop an
agreement for the treatment, with appropriate dignity, of any
human remains and associated or unassociated funerary
objects (CEQA Guidelines Section 15064.5[d]). The
agreement would take into consideration the appropriate
excavation, removal, recordation, analysis, custodianship,
and final disposition of the human remains and associated or
unassociated funerary objects. The PRC allows 48 hours to
reach agreement on these matters.
LTS
VII. Greenhouse Gases
Summary of Impacts and Mitigation Measures 11 Kaiser Permanente: 1650 Los Gamos
Medical Office Building
Summary of Impacts and Mitigation Measures
: Kaiser Permanente: 1650 Los Gamos Medical Office Building
Environmental Impacts Level of
Significance
Without
Mitigation
Mitigation Measures Level of
Significance
with Mitigation
VII (a): Would the project:
Generate greenhouse gas (“GHG”) emissions, either
directly or indirectly, that may have a significant
impact on the environment?
PS The project applicant has submitted a Traffic Impact
Analysis of the proposed project that will be evaluated
pursuant to CEQA and the City of San Rafael standards and
regulations. As such, impacts related to increased traffic
trips would be addressed in the project EIR. This Initial
Study provides a preliminary analysis to identify the impacts
of the project upon Greenhouse Gas Emissions
considerations. The EIR will provide analysis of potential
traffic, construction, and operational impacts and develop
potential temporary and cumulative mitigation measures
necessary to reduce potential GHG impacts to less than
significant levels through compliance with the implementing
Ordinances and the San Rafael CCAP. The EIR would also
address project alternatives to analyze this potentially
significant adverse impact.
PS
VII (b): Would the project:
Conflict with an applicable plan, policy or regulation
for the purpose of reducing the emissions of
greenhouse gases?
PS The project applicant has submitted a Traffic Impact
Analysis of the proposed project that will be evaluated
pursuant to CEQA and the City of San Rafael standards and
regulations. As such, impacts related to increased traffic
trips would be addressed in the project EIR. This Initial
Study provides a preliminary analysis to identify the impacts
of the project upon Greenhouse Gas Emissions
considerations. The EIR will provide analysis of potential
traffic, construction, and operational impacts and develop
potential temporary and cumulative mitigation measures
necessary to reduce potential GHG impacts to less than
significant levels through compliance with the implementing
Ordinances and the San Rafael CCAP. The EIR would also
address project alternatives to analyze this potentially
PS
Summary of Impacts and Mitigation Measures 12 Kaiser Permanente: 1650 Los Gamos
Medical Office Building
Summary of Impacts and Mitigation Measures
: Kaiser Permanente: 1650 Los Gamos Medical Office Building
Environmental Impacts Level of
Significance
Without
Mitigation
Mitigation Measures Level of
Significance
with Mitigation
significant adverse impact.
IX. HYDROLOGY AND WATER QUALITY
IX (a): Would the project:
Violate any water quality standards or waste
discharge requirements?
PS MM HYDRO-1: Prior to grading activities, the
project applicant shall prepare a Stormwater Pollution
Prevention Plan (SWPPP) in accordance with the
requirements of the statewide Construction General Permit.
The SWPPP shall be prepared by a Qualified SWPPP
Developer (QSD). The SWPPP shall include the minimum
Best Management Practices (BMPs) required for the
identified risk level. The SWPPP shall be designed to
address the following objectives:
(1) All pollutants and their sources, including sources of
sediment associated with construction, construction site
erosion, and all other activities associated with construction
activity are controlled;
(2) Where not otherwise required to be under a Regional
Water Quality Control Board permit, all non‐stormwater
discharges are identified and either eliminated, controlled, or
treated;
(3) Site BMPs are effective and result in the reduction or
elimination of pollutants in stormwater discharges and
authorized non‐stormwater discharges from construction
activity; and
(4) Stabilization BMPs installed to reduce or eliminate
pollutants after construction are completed.
(5) BMP implementation shall be consistent with the BMP
requirements in the most recent version of the California
Stormwater Quality Association Stormwater Best
LTS
Summary of Impacts and Mitigation Measures 13 Kaiser Permanente: 1650 Los Gamos
Medical Office Building
Summary of Impacts and Mitigation Measures
: Kaiser Permanente: 1650 Los Gamos Medical Office Building
Environmental Impacts Level of
Significance
Without
Mitigation
Mitigation Measures Level of
Significance
with Mitigation
Management Handbook‐Construction or the Caltrans
Stormwater Quality Handbook Construction Site BMPs
Manual.
IX (a): Would the project:
Violate any water quality standards or waste
discharge requirements?
PS MM HYDRO-2: Prior to a certificate of occupancy, the
project applicant shall verify that operational stormwater
quality control measures that comply with the requirements
of the current Phase II Small MS4 Permit have been
implemented. Responsibilities include but are not limited to:
1) Designing BMPs into project features and operations to
reduce potential impacts to surface water quality and to
manage changes in the timing and quantity of runoff
associated with operation of the project. These features shall
be included in the design‐level drainage plan and final
development drawings.
2) The proposed project shall incorporate site design
measures and Low Impact Development design standards,
including minimizing disturbed areas and impervious
surfaces, infiltration, harvesting, evapotranspiration, and/or
bio‐treatment of stormwater runoff.
3) The project applicant shall establish an Operation and
Maintenance Plan. This plan shall specify a regular
inspection schedule of stormwater treatment facilities in
accordance with the requirements of the Phase II Small MS4
Permit.
4) Funding for long‐term maintenance of all BMPs shall be
specified.
LTS
Summary of Impacts and Mitigation Measures 14 Kaiser Permanente: 1650 Los Gamos
Medical Office Building
Summary of Impacts and Mitigation Measures
: Kaiser Permanente: 1650 Los Gamos Medical Office Building
Environmental Impacts Level of
Significance
Without
Mitigation
Mitigation Measures Level of
Significance
with Mitigation
IX (b): Would the project:
Substantially alter the existing drainage pattern of the
site or area, including through the alteration of the
course of a stream or river, in a manner, which would
result in substantial erosion or siltation on- or off-
site?
PS Implementation of MM HYDRO-1 LTS
IX (f): Would the project:
Otherwise substantially degrade water quality?
PS Implementation of MM HYDRO-1
LTS
X. Land Use and Planning
X (b): Would the project:
Conflict with any applicable land use plan, policy, or
regulation of an agency with jurisdiction over the
project (including, but not limited to the general plan,
specific plan, local coastal program, or zoning
ordinance) adopted for the purpose of avoiding or
mitigating an environmental effect?
PS The proposed project has not been evaluated for consistency
with the policies in the General Plan Climate Change Action
Plan (CCAP), which seek to limit GHG emissions and
implement regional air quality goals. This Initial Study
provides a preliminary analysis to identify the impacts of the
project upon Greenhouse Gas Emissions considerations. As
such, impacts related to increased traffic trips would be
addressed in the project EIR. The EIR will provide analysis
of potential traffic, construction, and operational impacts
and develop potential temporary and cumulative mitigation
measures necessary to reduce potential GHG impacts to less
than significant levels through compliance with the
implementing Ordinances and the San Rafael CCAP.
Therefore, the proposed project would need to be further
evaluated to ensure there is no conflict with an applicable
land use plan, policy, or regulation adopted for the purpose
of avoiding or mitigating an environmental effect.
PS
XII. Noise
XII (a): Would the project:
Exposure of persons to or generation of noise levels
PS The project applicant has submitted a Traffic Impact
Analysis of the proposed project that will be evaluated
PS
Summary of Impacts and Mitigation Measures 15 Kaiser Permanente: 1650 Los Gamos
Medical Office Building
Summary of Impacts and Mitigation Measures
: Kaiser Permanente: 1650 Los Gamos Medical Office Building
Environmental Impacts Level of
Significance
Without
Mitigation
Mitigation Measures Level of
Significance
with Mitigation
in excess of standards established in the local general
plan or noise ordinance, or applicable standards of
other agencies?
pursuant to CEQA and the City of San Rafael standards and
regulations. As such, impacts related to increased traffic
trips would be addressed in the project EIR. This Initial
Study provides a preliminary analysis to identify the impacts
of the project upon Noise considerations. Based upon this
initial review, preparation of an Environmental Impact
Report is required. The EIR will provide analysis of
potential traffic, construction, and operational impacts and
as a result potential temporary and cumulative mitigation
measures necessary to reduce potential Noise impacts to less
than significant levels. The EIR would also address project
alternatives to analyze this potentially significant adverse
impact.
XII (b): Would the project:
Exposure of persons to or generation of excessive
ground borne vibration or ground borne noise levels?
PS Evaluation of the construction activities has not been
determined to involve excessive ground borne vibration or
ground borne noise levels. This Initial Study provides a
preliminary analysis to identify the impacts of the project
upon Noise considerations including impacts related to
construction activities. Based upon this initial review,
preparation of an Environmental Impact Report is required.
The EIR will provide analysis of potential construction
impacts and as a result evaluate potential mitigation
measures necessary to reduce potential construction Noise
impacts to less than significant levels. The EIR would also
address project alternatives to analyze this potentially
significant adverse impact.
PS
XII (c): Would the project:
A substantial permanent increase in ambient noise
PS Evaluation of the long term operational activities of the
proposed project has not yet been determined and therefore
PS
Summary of Impacts and Mitigation Measures 16 Kaiser Permanente: 1650 Los Gamos
Medical Office Building
Summary of Impacts and Mitigation Measures
: Kaiser Permanente: 1650 Los Gamos Medical Office Building
Environmental Impacts Level of
Significance
Without
Mitigation
Mitigation Measures Level of
Significance
with Mitigation
levels in the project vicinity above levels existing
without the project?
it is unknown if the project would result in substantial
permanent increase in ambient noise levels in the project
vicinity. However, this Initial Study provides a preliminary
analysis to identify the impacts of the project upon Noise
considerations including impacts related to ambient noise
levels. Based upon this initial review, preparation of an
Environmental Impact Report is required. The EIR will
provide analysis of potential construction impacts and as a
result evaluate potential mitigation measures necessary to
reduce potential construction Noise impacts to less than
significant levels. The EIR would also address project
alternatives to analyze this potentially significant adverse
impact.
XII (d): Would the project:
A substantial temporary or periodic increase in
ambient noise levels in the project vicinity above
levels existing without the project?
PS See Response XII (a) and (b) above. Discussion of
temporary construction noise impacts and ongoing traffic
impacts and potential recommended mitigation measures
related to the proposed project would be addressed in a
project EIR.
PS
XVI. Traffic and Transportation
XVI (a): Would the project:
Conflict with an applicable plan, ordinance or policy
establishing measures of effectiveness for the
performance of the circulation system, taking into
account all modes of transportation including mass
transit and non-motorized travel and relevant
component of the circulation system, including but
not limited to intersections, streets, highways, and
freeways, pedestrian and bicycle paths, and mass
PS Although the TIA provides potential mitigation measures to
reduce the project’s impacts, several traffic impacts have
been identified that would remain significant and
unavoidable. This Initial Study provides a preliminary
analysis to identify the impacts of the project upon Traffic
and Transportation considerations. Based upon this initial
review, preparation of an Environmental Impact Report is
required. The EIR will provide analysis of potential traffic
impacts and potential cumulative impacts and mitigation
PS
Summary of Impacts and Mitigation Measures 17 Kaiser Permanente: 1650 Los Gamos
Medical Office Building
Summary of Impacts and Mitigation Measures
: Kaiser Permanente: 1650 Los Gamos Medical Office Building
Environmental Impacts Level of
Significance
Without
Mitigation
Mitigation Measures Level of
Significance
with Mitigation
transit)? measures necessary to reduce potential impacts to less than
significant levels. The EIR would also address project
alternatives to analyze this potentially significant adverse
impact.
XVI (b): Would the project:
Conflict with an applicable congestion management
program, including, but not limited to level of service
standards and travel demand measures, or other
standards established by the county congestion
management agency for designated roads or
highways?
PS As the TIA will be further evaluated by the City of San
Rafael, potential conflicts with applicable congestion
management programs, including, but not limited to level of
service standards and travel demand measures have not yet
been identified and could remain significant and
unavoidable. Based upon this initial review, preparation of
an Environmental Impact Report is required. The EIR will
provide analysis of potential traffic impacts and potential
cumulative impacts and mitigation measures necessary to
reduce potential impacts to less than significant levels. The
EIR would also address project alternatives to analyze this
potentially significant adverse impact.
PS
XVI (d): Would the project:
Substantially increase hazards due to a design feature
(e.g., sharp curves or dangerous intersections) or
incompatible uses (e.g., farm equipment)?
PS The project traffic study was evaluated by the City of San
Rafael Department of Public Works for traffic and
circulation compliance with City standards including
potential conflicts to site distances and found them to be
acceptable. However, the full analysis of proposed project
improvements, including the proposed signalized
intersection at Los Gamos Drive and Lucas Valley Road
have not yet been evaluated. This Initial Study provides a
preliminary analysis to identify the impacts of the project
upon Traffic and Transportation considerations. Based upon
this initial review, preparation of an Environmental Impact
Report is required. The EIR will provide analysis of
PS
Summary of Impacts and Mitigation Measures 18 Kaiser Permanente: 1650 Los Gamos
Medical Office Building
Summary of Impacts and Mitigation Measures
: Kaiser Permanente: 1650 Los Gamos Medical Office Building
Environmental Impacts Level of
Significance
Without
Mitigation
Mitigation Measures Level of
Significance
with Mitigation
potential traffic impacts and mitigation measures necessary
to reduce potential impacts to less than significant levels
will also be evaluated. The EIR would also address project
alternatives to analyze this potentially significant adverse
impact.
XVI (f): Would the project:
Conflict with adopted policies, plans, or programs
regarding public transit, bicycle, or pedestrian
facilities, or otherwise decrease the performance or
safety of such facilities?
PS This Initial Study provides a preliminary analysis to identify
the impacts of the project upon Traffic and Transportation
considerations. Based upon this initial review, preparation
of an Environmental Impact Report is required. The EIR
will provide analysis of potential traffic impacts and
mitigation measures necessary to reduce potential impacts to
less than significant levels will also be evaluated. The EIR
would also address project alternatives to analyze this
potentially significant adverse impact.
PS
XVII. Tribal Cultural Resources
XVIII. Would the project cause a substantial adverse
change in the significance of a tribal cultural
resource, defined in Public Resources Code section
21074 as either a site, feature, place, cultural
landscape that is Geographically defined in terms of
the size and scope of the landscape, sacred place, or
object with cultural value to a California Native
American tribe, and that is:
(a) Listed or eligible for listing in the California
Register of Historical Resources, or in a local
register of historical resources as defined in
Public Resources Code section 5020.1(k), or
PS MM TRIBAL-1: Implementation of the unanticipated
discovery measures outlined in Section V(b) and (d) above,
address the potential discovery of previously unknown
resources within the project area. If significant tribal cultural
resources are identified onsite, all work would stop
immediately within 50 feet of the resource(s) and the project
applicant would comply with all relevant State and City
policies and procedures prescribed under PRC Section
21074.
LTS
Summary of Impacts and Mitigation Measures 19 Kaiser Permanente: 1650 Los Gamos
Medical Office Building
Summary of Impacts and Mitigation Measures
: Kaiser Permanente: 1650 Los Gamos Medical Office Building
Environmental Impacts Level of
Significance
Without
Mitigation
Mitigation Measures Level of
Significance
with Mitigation
(b) A resource determined by the lead agency, in its
discretion and supported by substantial evidence, to
be significant pursuant to criteria set forth in
Subdivision (c) of Public Resources Code Section
5024.1. In applying the criteria set forth in
subdivision (c) of Public Resource Code Section
5024.1, the lead agency shall consider the
significance of the resource to a California Native
American tribe.
Environmental Checklist Form 20 Kaiser Permanente: 1650 Los Gamos
Medical Office Building
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Environmental Checklist Form 21 Kaiser Permanente: 1650 Los Gamos
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ENVIRONMENTAL CHECKLIST
1. Project Title Kaiser Permanente 1650 Los Gamos Drive Medical Office
Building
2. Lead Agency Name & Address City of San Rafael
Community Development Department
Planning Division
1400 Fifth Avenue
San Rafael, California 94901
3. Contact Person & Phone Number Sean Kennings, LAK Associates
Phone: (415) 533-2111
Email: sean@lakassociates.com
4. Project Location The site is located in the City of San Rafael, Marin County,
California at 1650 Los Gamos Drive, Assessor’s Parcel Nos. 165-
220-12 & 165-220-13. (Refer to Exhibit A, “Vicinity Map”).
5. Project Sponsor's Name & Address
Project Sponsor:
Kaiser Foundation Health Plan
Real Estate Department
1950 Franklin Street – 12th Floor
Oakland, CA 94612
6. General Plan Designation Office – 15-32 units/acres
7. Zoning Planned Development District (PD 1590)
8. Description of Project
Environmental Setting and Background
The applicant, Kaiser Foundation Hospitals (Kaiser Permanente), proposes a medical office building project at
1650 Los Gamos Drive in the City of San Rafael, California. The project site is located in the North San Rafael
Commercial Center district just west of Highway 101 at the intersection of Lucas Valley Road and Los Gamos
Drive. An existing building at 1650 Los Gamos Drive is surrounded by several existing surface parking lots.
There is also an office building owned by Marin County to the south of the project site, at 1600 Los Gamos Drive.
The project site is located in a mixed‐use office/commercial area and is separated approximately 250’ from the
nearest residential structure by an open space hillside.
The project site includes three corresponding parcels, two of which (1650 Los Gamos Drive and an adjacent
surface parking lot) are owned by Kaiser Permanente and the third (1600 Los Gamos Drive) is owned by Marin
County. Together, these parcels comprise the “project site” and are more fully described as follows:
• An existing building at 1650 Los Gamos Drive (Assessor Parcel Number’s [APN] 165-220-13),
includes a three-story, approximately 148,000 square foot office building and associated surface
parking on approximately 4.02 acres.
• An approximately 7.02-acre parcel located to the west of 1650 Los Gamos Drive, on the west side of
Los Gamos Drive (APN 165‐220‐12). The parcel currently consists of a surface parking lot and
Environmental Checklist Form 22 Kaiser Permanente: 1650 Los Gamos
Medical Office Building
vegetative hillside, and abuts an undeveloped hillside slope, with a single‐family subdivision above.
There is also an existing sanitary sewer line running through the parcel.
• The surface parking site at 1600 Los Gamos Drive (APN: 165-220-11), a portion of which Kaiser holds
a parking easement (to allow the use of 42 parking spaces for 1650 Los Gamos Drive.
Project Description
Kaiser Permanente is proposing a project with three components:
• Amendment to the current Planned Development (PD) zoning to add medical office use as an allowable
use in the PD and allow the existing 148,000‐gross square foot office building, located at 1650 Los
Gamos Drive in San Rafael, it to be utilized as a medical office building (MOB).
• The construction of an up‐to 511‐space parking structure on the existing surface parking lot located to the
west of 1650 Los Gamos Drive that will primarily serve the Kaiser Permanente employees working at the
MOB (parking structure).
• Continued use of the 42 existing parking spaces located adjacent to 1650 Los Gamos Drive, on the 1600
Los Gamos Drive property. Kaiser Permanente has legal access to the use of those parking spaces through
an easement and is not proposing any changes to the parking spaces.
Both 1650 and 1600 Los Gamos Drive were originally developed pursuant to a single PD District, which permits
1650 Los Gamos Drive to be constructed with up to 150,000 square feet of office uses and 1600 Los Gamos Drive
to be constructed with up to 340,000 square feet of office uses.
To provide adequate parking for the use of the MOB at 1650 Los Ga mos Drive, Kaiser Permanente is proposing
to construct a new up-to 511‐space parking structure on the site of the existing surface parking lot to the west of
the existing building.
Discretionary approvals or permits needed to construct and operate the Project will include:
1) an amendment to the existing PD District for the site to (i) allow medical office uses at 1650 Los Gamos
Drive in addition to existing office uses, and to (ii) separate the PD District from 1600 Los Gamos
Drive, except for the surface parking area covered by an easement; 2) a Master Use Permit Amendment;
3) a Major Design Review Permit; and 4) a Sign Program.
Additional approvals may be required from the County of Marin and the California Department of Transportation
(Caltrans), as responsible agencies, to allow for any project mitigations identified within their jurisdictional
boundaries. Approvals from the Las Gallinas Valley Sanitary District will also be required to relocate the sanitary
sewer line. Other responsible agencies and additional approva ls may be identified through the environmental
review process.
At full buildout, the MOB would contain approximately 70 provider offices anticipated to provide the following
services:
• Member Services
• Health Education
• Internal Medicine
• Pediatrics
• OB/GYN
• Endocrinology
• Rheumatology
• Dermatology
• Eye Services
• Physical Therapy
• Imaging
• Pharmacy
• Laboratory
Environmental Checklist Form 23 Kaiser Permanente: 1650 Los Gamos
Medical Office Building
Other services, such as an urgent care clinic, may also be included in the MOB, and the mix of services will
change over time to reflect the changes needs of the local membership base. There would be approximately 315
employees working at 1650 Los Gamos Drive at full buildout. Many of these employees, about 77%, or 245,
would be relocated from existing Kaiser Permanente facilities throughout Marin County. Approximately 70%, or
170, of these relocated Marin employees would be relocated from the Kaiser Permanente Medical Center at 99
Montecillo Road, San Rafael.
The proposed project will not increase the footprint, height or massing of the existing office building. The medical
office uses will be contained within the existing building and no substantial exterior changes are proposed to the
MOB. The only proposed exterior changes to the existing building at 1650 Los Gamos Drive are minor
improvements to the landscaping and new signage to identify the facility and to provide a brand identity.
For purposes of this environmental review, the proposed reuse of the existing building is assumed to have up to
150,000 square feet of medical office space, which is the maximum amount allowed for development under the
existing PD zoning.
Draft Traffic Impact Analysis
The project applicant contracted the services of Fehr & Peers to prepare a Draft Transportation Impact Analysis
(DTIA) for the proposed project. The DTIA analyzes the transportation impacts associated with the applicant’s
proposal to add medical office as an allowed use at the existing 1650 Los Gamos Drive office building. Although
not considered an environmental impact, the DTIA also included a parking analysis consistent with the City of
San Rafael parking requirements. Fehr & Peers determined that the proposed project is an infill development
because it does not require new construction on undeveloped land, as the existing office building will not be
expanded and the proposed parking structure will be located on the existing parking lot. At the time Fehr & Peers
collected data for the DTIA, the existing office building was approximately 34% occupied. However, historically,
the office building has been close to 100% occupied over the majority of its existence from 1979 to the late
2000’s.
Potential Intersection Improvement
The DTIA identifies a potential intersection improvement for the Lucas Valley Road/Los Gamos Drive
interchange. This potential improvement includes signalization of the intersection, providing multiple through
and turns lanes, and crosswalks and sidewalks for pedestrians. This intersection improvement is consistent with
planned improvements for this intersection identified in the San Rafael General Plan 2020 Policy C-7. The
potential intersection improvement in included as Figure 3 below.
Access, Circulation and Parking
There are a total of 455 existing parking spaces allocated to the project site consisting of:
• 204 spaces surrounding the building at 1650 Los Gamos Drive
• 209 spaces on the existing surface parking lot on the west side of Los Gamos Drive
• 42 spaces located on the adjacent 1600 Los Gamos Drive property, which are legally allocated to 1650
Los Gamos Drive through an easement
The overall project site currently provides approximately 3.1 parking spaces to 1,000 square feet of office space (a
parking ratio of 3.1:1,000), consistent with the City’s municipal code provisions in place at the time the b uilding
was originally constructed and in line with the PD District parameters currently in place. To meet current City
parking requirements for medical office uses, Kaiser Permanente is required to provide additional parking, as
discussed below.
Environmental Checklist Form 24 Kaiser Permanente: 1650 Los Gamos
Medical Office Building
The existing building is served by 455 existing parking spaces. The current City municipal code requires a
parking ratio of 4.4 parking spaces per 1,000 square feet of office space for medical uses, which would result in a
shortfall of approximately 203 parking spaces once the entire building is utilized as medical office. As a result,
Kaiser Permanente needs to provide at least 203 additional parking spaces to meet the City’s minimum
requirements. In addition, based on its experience, Kaiser Permanente’s preferred parking ratio is 5:1,000 (or
about 285 additional parking spaces), since many of its members are unable to take public transit due to the health
issues for which they are visiting the facility.
To provide adequate parking for the use of the MOB at 1650 Los Gamos Drive, Kaiser Permanente is proposing
to construct a new approximately 511‐space parking structure on the surface parking lot to the west of the existing
building. At 511 parking spaces, the new parking structure would provide a net increase of 302 parking spaces
above the current 209 surface spaces. After completion of the parking structure, including the 246 parking spaces
that would remain around the MOB, the proposed project would result in a total of 757 parking spaces, meeting
the Kaiser Permanente standard. Sheet A‐110 of the Design Review Package depicts the potential location of a
future parking facility. Kaiser Permanente is still studying the ideal size of the parking structure, but it would not
exceed 511 parking spaces and would not provide less than the City required parking minimum of 203 parking
spaces.
Parking Structure Design
The proposed parking structure will be partially buried into the hillside and screened by a stand of existing mature
trees. The trees will provide a back drop to the parking structure, which also buffers it from surrounding
properties. The design of the proposed parking structure is based on a very efficient, straight‐forward approach
with concrete as the main structural component. There will are railings at each level along the east and north sides
of the facility that provide a very open and light architecture. The proposed parking structure will have an
enclosed elevator and stair element at the southeast corner adjacent to the existing cross walk. The elevator/stair
element will be clad in a material that will provide texture that softens and blends well with the concrete structure.
Use of the same cladding at the upper portion of the northeast corner will help define the vehicular entry/exit and
wraps the stairs at this end to relate to the elevator/stair element at the opposite end. The proposed parking
structure will be fully sprinklered and outfitted with fire extinguishers/cabinets per current codes and ordinances.
Fire access will also be provided by fire lanes on both the north and south side of the parking structure, and from
Los Gamos Drive. The parking structure will have LED lighting throughout and will be fully accessible per ADA
requirements.
Vehicular access will be provided from Los Gamos Drive. The three existing driveways on the east side of Los
Gamos Drive will continue to provide primary access to the existing building. The proposed parking structure
would be accessed by a single driveway on the west side of Los Gamos Drive, with fire lanes located on both the
north and south side of the structure. Kaiser Permanente has requested that the City allow it to stripe “Keep Clear”
lane markings in front of the parking structure driveway to permit vehicles turning in and out of the driveway
when traffic along Los Gamos Drive is in queue.
Pedestrians will access the project site from the sidewalks on both sides of Los Gamos Drive, connecting to
sidewalks along Lucas Valley Road, as well as connecting to the bus pad/stop at the Highway 101 ramp
interchange.
Bicyclists will access the project site from the existing Class II bike lane on Lucas Valley Road. The Project will
also provide approximately 64 on‐site bicycle parking spaces (34 at the MOB, 30 at the parking structure) to
encourage bicycle usage.
Environmental Checklist Form 25 Kaiser Permanente: 1650 Los Gamos
Medical Office Building
Transportation Demand Management Program
The San Rafael Medical Center operates an existing transportation demand management program (San Rafael
Kaiser Permanente TDM) to increase the use of alternative modes of transportation by employees. Currently, the
San Rafael Kaiser Permanente TDM includes the Kaiser Permanente facilities at: 99 Montecillo Road, 820 Las
Gallinas, 111 Smith Ranch Road, 100 Smith Ranch Road, 7200 Redwood Blvd., 1033 3rd Street, 3900 Lakeville
Hwy, and 97 San Marin Drive. The 1650 Los Gamos Drive MOB would be integrated in the existing program.
The San Rafael Kaiser Permanente TDM will include the following services for Kaiser Permanente employees
working at the facilities listed above:
• Transportation manager to oversee the San Rafael Kaiser Permanente TDM
• Commuter subsidy for transit or vanpool use
• Pre‐tax community spending accounts
• Guaranteed Ride Home program
• Carpool Matching (provided through 511.org)
• Vanpool Matching
• Internal website that provides information on San Rafael Kaiser Permanente TDM and
alternative modes of transportation
The proposed project’s MOB will also provide on‐site bicycle parking, as well as dedicated parking for
carpool/vanpools and electric charging stations for electric vehicles to comply with San Rafael regulatory
requirements.
Drainage and Grading
The development of the proposed parking structure will require excavation to partially bury the rear of the
structure and with the goal of minimizing the impact to the existing trees. With the current design, approximately
15,000 cubic feet of excavation is required for construction of the proposed parking structure. This 15,000 cubic
feet of material would be removed and disposed of off-site. The proposed parking structure will have a concrete
retaining wall system integrated with the overall structural system. Retaining walls with be primarily on the south,
west and north sides. The water retention/planter area on the east side will utilize concrete retainage.
A 6‐inch public sanitary sewer main, operated and maintained by the Las Gallinas Valley Sanitary District
(“LGVSD”), runs along a 10‐foot easement through the site of the proposed parking structure. This pipe will be
re‐routed around west and north side of the proposed parking structure footprint.
Proposed Landscaping and Associated Improvements
The parking structure is proposed to be located within the footprint of an existing parking lot to reduce the limits
of disturbance. The majority of trees proposed for removal are mature landscaping trees located within this
footprint, though many of the larger trees around the perimeter of the existing parking lot would be retained by
keeping project construction and grading out of the critical root zones of these trees. Approximately 61 trees are
proposed to be removed and 31 new trees would be planted around the perimeter of the parking structure as
replacement. The existing and proposed perimeter trees will provide screening of the new parking structure and
provide habitat for local species. The design also integrates terraced planter walls that collect and treat stormwater
in native planting beds. The terraces transition the grade change from street level to the parking structure.
Planning Applications
In addition to this Initial Study (IS17-001), the 1650 Los Gamos Drive project would require a number of
discretionary permits, including the following:
Environmental and Design Review (ED17-001) - The project requires an Environmental and Design
Review Permit because it is proposing a new three-story parking structure. The project is subject to the
Environmental Checklist Form 26 Kaiser Permanente: 1650 Los Gamos
Medical Office Building
review criteria for Environmental and Design Review Permits pursuant to San Rafael Municipal Code
Section 14.25.050, which provide guidelines for all aspects of project design, including site design,
architecture, materials and colors, walls, fences and screening, exterior lighting, signs and landscape
design.
Use Permit (UP17-005) - The project includes a request for approval of a use permit to allow medical
office, pursuant to Section 14.07.020 of the San Rafael Municipal Code.
Zoning Change (ZC17-001) The project includes a request for PD amendment or zoning change to allow
medical office uses in the existing PD ordinance, pursuant to Section 14.07.150 of the San Rafael
Municipal Code. This action will create a new PD ordinance specific to 1650 Los Gamos Drive property
Signage Program (SP17-002) - The Project includes a request for approval of a signage master plan for
the site.
Existing PD and Amendment Consistency
In conjunction with this project, the City of San Rafael will initiate a concurrent amendment to the existing PD
1590 district, removing references to the building, parking or description of the 1650 Los Gamos site. No other
changes to the land use allowance for the County’s property at 1600 Los GAmos are proposed This action to
amend PD 1590 for 1600 Los Gamos Dr will ensure that prior references to 1650 Los Gamos in the newly created
district are separate and apart from the uses and standards attributed to the PD specific to the 1600 Los Gamos
Drive property. This action will remove reference to 1650 Los Gamos Drive in PD 1590, and like the zoning
change for the proposed project, would therefore create a new PD for the 1600 Los Gamos Drive parcel.
9. Surrounding land uses and setting: Briefly describe the project’s surroundings:
The project site is located in North San Rafael, immediately west of US Highway 101 and south of the
intersection of Lucas Valley Road and Los Gamos Drive.
10. Other Public Agencies Whose Approval Is Required
[e.g., Permits, Financing Approval, or Participation Agreement.]
The following additional public agencies will review and comment upon the project plans and Initial Study:
• Regional Water Quality Control Board (RWQCB)
• Marin Municipal Water District
• Las Gallinas Valley Sanitary District CalTrans
• Marin County Community Development Agency – Department of Public Works
11. Have California Native American tribes traditionally and culturally affiliated with the project area
requested consultation pursuant to Public Resources Code section 21080.3.1? If so, has consultation begun?
Garcia and Associates (“GANDA”) sent a letter to the Graton Rancheria of Federated Indians on April 28, 2017
to formally begin the consultation process. The Tribe responded via email on May 17, 2017 requesting updated
consultation.
Environmental Checklist Form 27 Kaiser Permanente: 1650 Los Gamos
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EXHIBITS
Figure 1: Vicinity Map
Figure 2: Project Site
Project Site
Project Site
Environmental Checklist Form 28 Kaiser Permanente: 1650 Los Gamos
Medical Office Building
C. Proposed Traffic Intersection Improvement
Figure 3: Site Plan
Environmental Checklist Form 29 Kaiser Permanente: 1650 Los Gamos
Medical Office Building
Figure 4: Parking Structure Perspective
Environmental Checklist Form 30 Kaiser Permanente: 1650 Los Gamos
Medical Office Building
Figure 5: Potential Intersection Improvement
Environmental Checklist Form 31 Kaiser Permanente: 1650 Los Gamos
Medical Office Building
ENVIRONMENTAL FACTORS POTENTIALLY AFFECTED
The environmental factors checked below would be potentially affected by this project, involving at least one
impact that is a “Potentially Significant Impact” as indicated by the checklist on the following pages.
Aesthetics Agriculture Resources Air Quality
Biological Resources Cultural Resources Geology /Soils
Greenhouse Gas Emissions Hazards & Hazardous
Materials
Hydrology / Water Quality
Land Use / Planning Mineral Resources Noise
Population / Housing Public Services Recreation
Transportation / Traffic Tribal Cultural Resources Utilities / Service Systems
Mandatory Finding of
Significance
DETERMINATION
On the basis of this initial evaluation:
I find that the proposed project COULD NOT have a significant effect on the environment and
a NEGATIVE DECLARATION will be prepared.
I find that although the proposed project could have a significant effect on the environment,
there will not be a significant effect in this case because revisions in the project have been
made by or agreed to by the project proponent. A MITIGATED NEGATIVE
DECLARATION will be prepared.
I find that the proposed project MAY have a significant effect on the environment, and an
ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT REPORT is required.
I find that the proposed project MAY have a “potentially significant impact” or “potentially
significant unless mitigated" impact on the environment, but at least one effect 1) has been
adequately analyzed in an earlier document pursuant to applicable legal standards, a nd 2) has
been addressed by mitigation measures based on the earlier analysis as described on attached
sheets. An ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT REPORT is required, but it must analyze only the
effects that remain to be addressed.
I find that although the proposed project could have a significant effect on the environment,
because all potentially significant effects (a) have been analyzed adequately in an EARLIER
EIR or NEGATIVE DECLARATION pursuant to applicable legal standards, and (b) have
been avoided or mitigated pursuant to that earlier EIR or NEGATIVE DECLARATION,
including revisions or mitigation measures that are imposed upon the proposed project, nothing
further is required.
_____________________________________ __________________________
Signature Date
Sean Kennings,
Contract Planner - LAK Associates
Environmental Checklist Form 32 Kaiser Permanente: 1650 Los Gamos
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EVALUATION OF ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACTS
Evaluation of the Project environmental impacts is prepared as follows:
A brief explanation is provided for all answers except for “No Impact” answers that are adequately supported by
the information sources cited in the parentheses following each question below. Answers take into account the
whole action involved, including off-site, on-site, cumulative, project-level, direct and indirect, construction and
operational impacts. A “No Impact” answer is adequately supported by referenced information sources that show
the impact simply does not apply to projects like the one involved (e.g., the project falls outside a fault rupture
zone; the project involves a minor zoning text amendments that would not lead to or allow new construction,
grading or other physical alterations to the environment). A “No Impact” answer is explained where it is based on
project-specific factor as well as general standards (e.g., the project will not expose sensitive receptors to
pollutants, based on a project specific screening analysis).
A “Potentially Significant Impact” is appropriate where there is substantial evidence that an effect may be
significant. A final determination of one or more Potentially Significant Impacts shall require preparation of an
EIR.
A Negative Declaration or Mitigated Negative Declaration shall be prepared for the project if it results in a less
than significant impact determination based on the analysis, discussion, source reference materials and/or
mitigation measures identified herein (to minimize impacts or reduce impacts from a “Potentially Significant”
level). Any mitigation measures shall be described and briefly explain how they reduce the effect to a less than
significant level.
Mitigation measures or discussion from earlier analysis may be used where, pursuant to tiering, program EIR or
other CEQA process, an effect has been adequately analyzed in an earlier environmental document . Section
15063(c)(3)(D). In this case, the Initial Study below includes a brief discussion of the earlier analysis used,
impacts that were previously addressed, and mitigation measures that were incorporated or refined. Supporting
information sources are attached and cited in the discussion below.
Potentially
Significant
Impact
Less-Than-
Significant With
Mitigation
Incorporation
Less-Than-
Significant
Impact
No
Impact
I. AESTHETICS
Would the project:
a. Have a substantial adverse effect on a scenic
vista?
Discussion:
No Impact: No scenic vistas have been identified in the General Plan at or in the immediate vicinity of this site.
The 1650 Los Gamos Drive MOB would be considered an urban infill development project located in the North
San Rafael Commercial Center area. The project would involve converting an existing office building to medical
office uses and replacing an existing terraced surface parking lot with a three-story parking structure to satisfy
parking requirements for the new use. The project would be generally consistent with existing zoning standards
and General Plan land use designations. There would be no impact.
(Sources: 1, 3)
Potentially
Significant
Impact
Less-Than-
Significant With
Mitigation
Incorporation
Less-Than-
Significant
Impact
No
Impact
Environmental Checklist Form 33 Kaiser Permanente: 1650 Los Gamos
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b. Substantially damage scenic resources,
including, but not limited to, trees, rock
outcroppings, and historic buildings within a
state scenic highway?
Discussion:
No Impact: The project site is located approximately 500 feet west of US 101 Highway at the Lucas Valley
Road/Los Gamos Drive intersection in the North San Rafael Commercial Center District. The segment of US 101
is not a designated state scenic highway. Proposed project improvements would occur within footprints of
existing disturbance. Although the construction of the parking structure would require removal of existing
landscaping trees, this would not be considered an impact to scenic resources. Several mature redwood trees
beyond the surface parking lot would be retained as part of the proposed project. As such, because the project is
not located within a state scenic highway and would not be substantially damaging scenic resources, the re would
be no impact.
(Sources: 1, 3)
c. Substantially degrade the existing visual
character or quality of the site and its
surroundings?
Discussion:
Less Than Significant Impact: The proposed project would require the construction of a three-story parking
structure on the western parcel (165-220-12) to accommodate the parking spaces required to convert the existing
building to medical office uses. Construction of the structure would require the removal of 61existing ornamental
trees. Although these trees are primarily mature parking lot landscaping trees, these 61 trees are not considered to
have “significant” status per the San Rafael Municipal Code. A total of 31 trees are proposed as replacement as
part of the project.
To accommodate the three-story parking structure, excavation will be required to reduce the mass and scale of the
parking structure by lowering the profile and burying a portion of the garage into the hillside . Although the
parking structure would not project over ridgelines or block views to cause potentially significant impacts on
visual resources, the proposed project would represent a new sizable development footprint in an area currently
screened by mature landscaping vegetation proposed to be removed. However, the proposed parking structure has
been designed to retain mature redwood trees that ring the perimeter of the existing surface parking lot. These
mature redwoods create an effective visual screen of the project to the homes in the Mont San Rafael
neighborhood above (and west/southwest of) the site. Furthermore, because the proposed parking garage is
located in an area formerly developed with surface parking and does not extend outside the existing areas of
disturbance; the retention of mature screening vegetation will greatly reduce the potential for visual degradation.
The project application includes a photo-simulation from two vantage points within the vicinity of the project: 1.)
View from Los Gamos Drive; 2.) View from Salvatore Way. These before and after images are included below:
Potentially
Significant
Impact
Less-Than-
Significant With
Mitigation
Incorporation
Less-Than-
Significant
Impact
No
Impact
Environmental Checklist Form 34 Kaiser Permanente: 1650 Los Gamos
Medical Office Building
PHOTOSIMULATION 1: View from Los Gamos looking southwest from Lucas Valley Road intersection
prior to (above) and including (below) proposed parking structure
Potentially
Significant
Impact
Less-Than-
Significant With
Mitigation
Incorporation
Less-Than-
Significant
Impact
No
Impact
Environmental Checklist Form 35 Kaiser Permanente: 1650 Los Gamos
Medical Office Building
PHOTOSIMULATION 2: View from Salvador Way looking northeast
Potentially
Significant
Impact
Less-Than-
Significant With
Mitigation
Incorporation
Less-Than-
Significant
Impact
No
Impact
Environmental Checklist Form 36 Kaiser Permanente: 1650 Los Gamos
Medical Office Building
Although the proposed parking structure can be seen from Los Gamos Drive, the remaining mature vegetation
surrounding the structure would reduce visual impacts to views beyond the site. Similarly, the retention of mature
trees and landscaping would screen the structure from public vantage points above the site. The proposed project
would also require and Environmental and Design Review Permit and consistency with current City of San Rafael
General Plan policies and non-residential design guidelines. In addition, the project will be reviewed by the
Design Review Board and Planning Commission to evaluate the project’s compatibility and harmony with
existing development, preservation of existing trees and natural landforms, quality of building materials, and how
landscaping would be maintained over time. For these reasons, the impact is considered less than significant and
no mitigation is required.
(Sources: 1, 3, 12)
d. Create a new source of substantial light or
glare which would adversely affect day or
nighttime views in the area?
Discussion:
Less Than Significant Impact with Mitigation Incorporation: The proposed project would include full
occupancy of the existing office building with medical office uses. It is anticipated that medical office usage will
include after-hours and potentially weekend activity. The project would occupy the entirety of the building, as
compared with the current vacancy of the existing building uses. However, historical patterns of use for 1650 Los
Gamos would be similar to the full occupancy for the proposed medical office use. Therefore, the proposed usage
of the building would not be introducing a new source of light and glare or affect nighttime views.
The proposed project would require the development of a three-story Parking structure on the parcel across Los
Gamos Drive. This would result in the introduction of new sources of interior and exterior lighting, as well as
landscape and signage lighting. No new exterior building lighting is proposed for the existing building; however,
security lighting for the new parking structure, pedestrian walkways and perimeter security lighting would be
included. Although typical LED light standards are noted on the plans, all site lighting would be designed to meet
the City of San Rafael minimum illumination standards for safety at all exterior doorways, parking areas and
ground level walkways. Specific lighting design would be subject to Design Review Board review and approval
and standard City conditions of approval. The following mitigation measure is included to ensure that lighting
fixtures that meet building codes specifications area included within the project’s building plans:
MM AES-1: Prior to the issuance of any building permits, the project applicant shall submit to the satisfaction of
the Community Development Department Director, project building plans that include a
photometric lighting study demonstrating that outdoor lighting fixtures meet the requirements of the
California Energy Code (known as Part 6, Title 24 of the California Code of Regulations).
With the incorporation of Mitigation Measure AES-1, the impact would be considered less than significant and no
further mitigation is required.
(Sources: 3, 4)
Potentially
Significant
Impact
Less-Than-
Significant With
Mitigation
Incorporation
Less-Than-
Significant
Impact
No
Impact
Environmental Checklist Form 37 Kaiser Permanente: 1650 Los Gamos
Medical Office Building
II. AGRICULTURE AND FOREST RESOURCES
Would the project: {In determining whether
impacts to agricultural resources are significant
environmental effects, lead agencies may refer to
the California Agricultural Land Evaluation and
Site Assessment Model (1997) prepared by the
California Dept. of Conservation as an optional
model to use in assessing impacts on agriculture
and farmland.} In determining whether impacts
to a forest resources, including timberland, are
significant environmental effects, lead agencies
may refer to information compiled by the
California Department of Forestry and Fire
Protection regarding the state’s inventory of
forest land, including the Forest and Range
Assessment Project and the Forest Legacy
assessment Project; and forest carbon
measurement methodology provided in Forest
Protocols adopted by the California Air Resource
Board.
a. Convert Prime Farmland, Unique Farmland,
or Farmland of Statewide Importance
(Farmland), as shown on the maps prepared
pursuant to the Farmland Mapping and
Monitoring Program of the California
Resources Agency, to non-agricultural use?
b. Conflict with existing zoning for agricultural
use, or a Williamson Act contract?
c. Conflict with existing zoning for, or cause
rezoning of, forest land (as defined in Public
Resources Code section 12220(g)),
timberland (as defined by Public Resources
Code section 4526), or timberland zoned
Timberland Production (as defined by
Government Code section 511104(g))?
d. Result in the loss of forest land or conversion
of forest land to non-forest use?
e. Involve other changes in the existing
environment which, due to their location or
nature, could result in conversion of
Farmland, to non-agricultural use or
Potentially
Significant
Impact
Less-Than-
Significant With
Mitigation
Incorporation
Less-Than-
Significant
Impact
No
Impact
Environmental Checklist Form 38 Kaiser Permanente: 1650 Los Gamos
Medical Office Building
conversion of forest land to non-forest use?
Discussion:
No Impact: The project site is located in north San Rafael and is zoned for office development under the current
Planned Development (PD 1509) Zoning designation. The site is presently developed with commercial uses and
parking areas and is not prime farmland. There are no Williamson Act contracts associated with the subject
property, nor is the property zoned for agricultural uses. The proposed project would require the removal of some
existing on-site mature trees, but these are not designated as forest land or timberland zoned Timberland
Production. There would be no impact.
(Sources: 1, 2, 3)
III. AIR QUALITY
Would the project:
a. Conflict with or obstruct implementation of
the applicable air quality plan?
Discussion:
Potentially Significant Impact. The project site is in Marin County, which is located within the San Francisco
Bay Area Air Basin (SFBAAB). The Bay Area Air Quality Management District (BAAQMD) is responsible for
assuring that the Federal and California Ambient Air Quality Standards are attained and maintained in the
SFBAAB. The SFBAAB exceeds the state air quality standards for ozon e and particulate matter (PM10 and
PM2.5). The area is designated nonattainment for national standards of 8-hour ozone, 24-hour PM2.5, and state
standards for 24-hour and annual PM10, and annual PM2.5.
The 2010 Clean Air Plan, the regional air quality management plan for the SFBAAB, accounts for projections of
population growth provided by the Association of Bay Area Governments (ABAG) and vehicle miles traveled
provided by the Metropolitan Transportation Commission (MTC), and it identifies strategies to bring regional
emissions into compliance with federal and state air quality standards. BAAQMD encourages local jurisdictions
to include General Plan policies or elements that, when implemented, would improve air quality. Although air
quality elements are not mandated, general plans are required to be consistent with any air quality policies and
programs that exist within that jurisdiction.
For projects, the determination of a significant cumulative air quality impact should be based on the consistency
of the project with the Bay Area’s most recently adopted Clean Air Plan. A project would be consistent with the
2010 Clean Air Plan if the project would not exceed the growth assumptions in the plan. The primary method of
determining consistency with the 2010 Clean Air Plan growth assumptions is consistency with the General Plan
land use designations and zoning ordinance zoning designations for the site. If the General Plan growth forecast
was adopted prior to the adoption of the 2010 Clean Air Plan, then it can be safely assumed that the 2010 Clean
Air Plan incorporates the growth forecast from the General Plan.
The Clean Air Plan assumptions for projected air emissions and pollutants in San Rafael are based on the land use
and development projection assumptions in the San Rafael General Plan 2020 (General Plan). The adopted
General Plan land use designation for the project site is Office, which permits general, administrative, and
medical office uses. As such, the proposed project would not significantly affect regional vehicle miles traveled
pursuant to the CEQA Guidelines (Section 15206) because of its consistency with adopted land use plans in the
Potentially
Significant
Impact
Less-Than-
Significant With
Mitigation
Incorporation
Less-Than-
Significant
Impact
No
Impact
Environmental Checklist Form 39 Kaiser Permanente: 1650 Los Gamos
Medical Office Building
City of San Rafael. In addition, the proposed project would not have the potential to exceed the level of
population or housing foreseen in regional planning efforts.
In 2011, the City of San Rafael adopted a new Sustainability Element for General Plan 2020 that contains a
Climate Change Action Plan (CCAP). The CCAP includes goals to achieve greenhouse gas (GHG) level
reduction by 2025 and 2050 that exceed the State’s goals under AB 32. Because the proposed development
project would be consistent with the General Plan land use designation, no analysis of GHG emissions is required
under the provisions of the CCAP, provided the project is consistent with the City’s “Greenhouse Gas Reduction
Strategy Compliance Checklist”, which lists all the individual City Ordinances that help implement the City’s
Sustainability Element goals.
This Initial Study provides a preliminary analysis to identify the impacts of the project upon air quality
considerations. Because a comprehensive analysis of traffic-related impacts has not yet been undertaken, the
proposed project may potentially result in air quality impacts. Based upon this potential for significant impacts,
preparation of an Environmental Impact Report (EIR) is required to further evaluate the project. This threshold
will be discussed in the EIR for the proposed project. The EIR will analyze potential traffic mitigation measures,
as well as potential temporary and cumulative mitigation measures appropriate to reduce potential air quality
impacts to less than significant levels.
(Sources: 1, 3, 4, 18)
b. Violate any air quality standard or contribute
substantially to an existing or projected air
quality violation?
Discussion:
Potentially Significant Impact. See discussion in III (a) above.
(Sources: 1,3, 4)
c. Result in a cumulatively considerable net
increase any criteria pollutant for which the
project region is non – attainment under an
applicable federal or state ambient air quality
standard (including releasing emissions
which exceed quantitative thresholds for
ozone precursors)?
Discussion:
Potentially Significant Impact. See discussion in III (a) above.
(Sources: 1, 3, 4)
d. Expose sensitive receptors to substantial
pollutant concentrations?
Discussion:
Potentially
Significant
Impact
Less-Than-
Significant With
Mitigation
Incorporation
Less-Than-
Significant
Impact
No
Impact
Environmental Checklist Form 40 Kaiser Permanente: 1650 Los Gamos
Medical Office Building
Potentially Significant Impact: Sensitive receptors are defined as facilities or land uses that include members of
the population that are particularly sensitive to the effects of air polluta nts, such as children, the elderly, and
people with illnesses. Examples of these sensitive receptors are residences, schools, hospitals, and daycare
centers. CARB has identified the following groups of individuals as the most likely to be affected by air pollution:
the elderly over 65, children under 14, athletes, and persons with cardiovascular and chronic respiratory diseases
such as asthma, emphysema, and bronchitis. Bright Horizons daycare center and the private Fusion Academy
school are located approximately 200 feet from the project site at 1600 Los Gamos Drive. The Mont Marin/San
Rafael Park residential neighborhood is located 250 feet west of the proposed parking garage.
Localized Carbon Monoxide Hotspots
The SFBAAB is designated as attainment for carbon monoxide (CO). Emissions and ambient concentrations of
CO have decreased dramatically in the SFBAAB with the introduction of the catalytic converter in 1975. No
exceedances of the CAAQS or NAAQS for CO have been recorded at nearby monitoring stations since 1991. As
a result, the BAAQMD screening criteria notes that CO impacts may be determined to be less than significant if a
project is consistent with the applicable congestion management plan (CMP) and would not increase traffic
volumes at local intersections to more than 24,000 vehicles per hour for locations in heavily urban areas, where
“urban canyons” formed by buildings tend to reduce air circulation. Based on the scope of the proposed project
(reuse of an existing approximately 148,000 square-foot building from general office to medical office use),
traffic would increase along surrounding roadways during long-term operational activities. New net daily trips
could be generated as a result of the project, which could lead to CO-related effects. However, according to the
DTIA for the proposed project, the entire project would generate approximately 5,400 net new daily trips.
Therefore, the project would could generate a significant number of vehicle trips and effects related to CO
concentrations would be analyzed in a full EIR. As such, this threshold will be discussed in the EIR for the
proposed project.
parking structure Hotspots
Carbon monoxide concentrations are a function of vehicle idling time, meteorological conditions, and traffic flow.
Therefore, parking structures tend to be of concern regarding CO hotspots, as they are enclosed spaces with
frequent cars operating in cold start mode. Approximately 511 parking spaces would be constructed within the
proposed parking structure. The proposed project would be required to comply with the ventilation requirements
of the International Mechanical Code (Section 403.5 [Public Garages]), which requires that mechanical
ventilation systems for public garages operate automatically upon detection of a concentration of carbon
monoxide of 25 ppm by approved detection devices. The 25-ppm trigger is the maximum allowable
concentration for continuous exposure in any eight-hour period according to the American Conference of
Governmental Industrial Hygienists. The proposed design of the parking structure includes three full levels of
parking with open ends. As such, the parking structure would most likely not require mechanical ventilation.
Impacts in regards to parking structure CO hotspots would be considered less than significant.
Risk and Health Hazards
According to Section 39655 of the California Health and Safety Code, a toxic air contaminant (TAC) is “an air
pollutant which may cause or contribute to an increase in mortality or an increase in serious illness, or which may
pose a present or potential hazard to human health”. In addition, substances that have been listed as Federal
hazardous air pollutants (HAPs) pursuant to Section 7412 of Title 42 of the United States Code are TACs under
the State’s air toxics program pursuant to Section 39657 (b) of the California Health and Safety Code. TACs can
cause various cancers, depending on the particular chemicals, their type, and duration of exposure. Additionally,
some of the TACs may cause other health effects over the short or long term. TACs of particular concern for
posing health risks in California are acetaldehyde, benzene, 1-3 butadiene, carbon tetrachloride, hexavalent
Potentially
Significant
Impact
Less-Than-
Significant With
Mitigation
Incorporation
Less-Than-
Significant
Impact
No
Impact
Environmental Checklist Form 41 Kaiser Permanente: 1650 Los Gamos
Medical Office Building
chromium, para-dichlorobenzene, formaldehyde, methylene chloride, perchlorethylene, and diesel particulate
matter.
The proposed medical office building would not generate TACs that would pose a possible risk to off-site uses.
Any possible TAC impacts would result solely from construction. Combustion emissions from construction
equipment would be generated during project construction and could expose sensitive receptors to diesel
particulate matter (DPM) and other TACs. DPM exhaust emissions for project construction from off-road heavy
equipment were calculated using CalEEMod.
The BAAQMD’s Recommended Methods for Screening and Modeling Local Risks and Hazards (May 2011) was
used to complete this screening-level health risk assessment. The BAAQMD recommends a two -tiered approach
for screening-level health risk assessments: a screening-level dispersion model is initially applied to project
emissions using generally over-predictive assumptions and if the predicted health risk is not within acceptable
levels, then a more sophisticated dispersion modeling is necessary.
A screening-level individual cancer analysis was conducted to determine the maximum PM2.5 concentration from
diesel exhaust. This concentration was combined with the DPM exposure unit risk factor to calculate the
inhalation cancer risk from project-related construction activities at the closest sensitive receptor. The EPA
AERSCREEN air dispersion model was used to evaluate concentrations of DPM and PM2.5 from diesel exhaust.
The AERSCREEN model was developed to provide an easy to use method of obtaining pollutant concentration
estimates and is a single source Gaussian plume model, which provides a maximum one -hour ground-level
concentration.
Because construction methods have not been fully evaluated, the proposed project may potentially result in air
quality impacts. This threshold will be discussed in the EIR for the proposed project. The EIR will analyze
potential traffic and construction mitigation measures, as well as potential temporary and cumulative mitigation
measures appropriate to reduce potential air quality impacts to less than significant levels.
(Sources: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 18)
e. Create objectionable odors affecting a
substantial number of people?
Discussion:
No Impact. The proposed medical office use would be consistent with surrounding uses and long-term operation
of the building would not create objectionable odors. There would be no impact.
(Sources: 1, 2, 3)
IV. BIOLOGICAL RESOURCES
Would the project:
a. Have a substantial adverse effect, either
directly or through habitat modifications, on
any species identified as a candidate,
sensitive, or special status species in local or
regional plans, policies, or regulations, or by
Potentially
Significant
Impact
Less-Than-
Significant With
Mitigation
Incorporation
Less-Than-
Significant
Impact
No
Impact
Environmental Checklist Form 42 Kaiser Permanente: 1650 Los Gamos
Medical Office Building
the California Department of Fish and Game
or U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service?
Discussion:
No Impact. The project site consists of two parcels totaling approximately 11-acres separated by Los Gamos
Drive. The 4.09-acre eastern parcel is fully developed with an office building, surface parking lots and landscaped
areas. The 7.02-acre western parcel is partially developed with surface parking lot, sidewalks and landscaped
areas. The undeveloped areas of this parcel include hillsides with slopes up to 50 percent. Vegetation on the
slopes consists of oak woodland with some open grassland patches. Dense riparian vegetation occurs along an
unnamed creek that runs along the northeast edge of the property. This is an intermittent creek that drains to
Gallinas Creek on the east side of Highway 101, which drains to San Pablo Bay.
Garcia and Associates (GANDA) conducted a biological site assessment and determined that there are no
sensitive or special status species adjacent to the proposed project site. GANDA completed the background
review and site visit for the proposed project on March 14, 2016. The background review included querying the
California Natural Diversity Database (CNDDB; Figure 2); for records of special status species; requesting a
species list from the Sacramento Office of the United States Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) generated using
their Information, Planning, and Conservation System (IPaC); querying the California Native Plant Society
(CNPS) Inventory of Rare and Endangered Plants list for the Novato 7.5 minute quadrangle map and reviewing
the National Wetlands Inventory. Although several special status species were identified during this search, no
occurrences were located on the property and no suitable habitat was identified in the proposed project footprint
that could support any of these species or sensitive habitat types. Although some mature landscaping trees would
be removed as part of the proposed project, these trees do not constitute suitable contiguous vegetation that would
support special status species. As proposed, the Project would not include development or construction outside
the limits of existing disturbance or impervious surfaces. For these reasons, there would be no impact and no
mitigation would be required.
(Sources: 1, 3, 4, 10)
b. Have a substantial adverse effect on any
riparian habitat or other sensitive natural
community identified in local or regional
plans, policies, regulations or by the
California Department of Fish and Game or
US Fish and Wildlife Service?
Discussion:
Less Than Significant Impact: An unnamed creek runs along the northeast edge of the 1650 Los Gamos Drive
property. This intermittent creek drains to Gallinas Creek on the east side of Highway 101, which drains to San
Pablo Bay. The creek is culverted within the neighborhoods north of the property, but is open, then culverted, and
then open again in the area within the proposed project site. The creek has a natural substrate bottom in the areas
which are daylighted and is in relatively good condition. GANDA conducted a survey on March 14, 2016
following a week of rain, and the creek was flowing. The creek was estimated to be approximately 20 feet wide at
the Ordinary High Water Mark (OHWM) at the culvert leading under Los Gamos Drive (see attached GANDA
Photos 1 and 2).
Potentially
Significant
Impact
Less-Than-
Significant With
Mitigation
Incorporation
Less-Than-
Significant
Impact
No
Impact
Environmental Checklist Form 43 Kaiser Permanente: 1650 Los Gamos
Medical Office Building
On the west side of Los Gamos Drive, the creek is lined with riparian vegetation dominated by coast live oak
(Quercus agrifolia), valley oak (Quercus lobata), California bay (Umbellularia californica), arroyo willow (Salix
lasiolepis) and California buckeye (Aesculus californica). The understory includes poison oak (Toxicodendron
diversilobum), California blackberry (Rubus ursinus), vetch (Vicia sp.), English ivy (Hedera helix), Cape ivy
(Delairea odorata), French broom (Genista monspessulana), Italian thistle (Carduus pycnocephalus) and soft chess
(Avena sp.). On the east side of Los Gamos Road, the creek emerges from an approximately 500 -foot long, 36”
inch diameter cement culvert that is lined with arroyo willow, Himalayan blackberry (Rubus armeniacus), French
broom, English Ivy, and annual grasses. Within the creek bed dense stands of cattails (Typha sp.) were present.
The creek was estimated to be approximately 15-20 wide at the OHWM where it emerges from the culvert (see
attached GANDA Photos 3 and 4).
The proposed project footprint of disturbance lacks riparian and wetland habitat and does not support any other
sensitive natural communities. No work is currently proposed that would modify or impact the channel of the
unnamed intermittent tributary to Gallinas Creek. The proposed project site of both buildings and parking lots are
serviced by an existing stormwater drainage system mana ged by the City of San Rafael. Proposed infrastructure
and improvements would connect with existing facilities located within the right of way or Los Gamos Drive and
would not be dispersed into the intermittent channel.
As proposed, the only physical improvement included in the proposed project would be the construction of the
parking structure. However, analysis and discussion in the DTIA provided by Fehr & Peers indicates the need for
intersection improvements at Los Gamos Drive and Lucas Valley Road. These improvements include
signalization of the intersection, providing multiple through and turns lanes, and crosswalks and sidewalks for
pedestrians. The General Plan requires that new projects maintain a minimum 50-foot development-free setback
from wetlands, including, but not limited to, paving or structures. However, General Plan Policy CON-6. Creek
and Drainageway Setbacks (a) establishes a 25-foot top of creek bank setback for all new development. The
proposed improvements, including site development for the parking structure, would be set back approximately
120 feet from the intermittent tributary to Gallinas Creek. Additionally, the preliminary design for the potential
intersection indicates that improvements would be located within the existing footprint of disturbance and would
not require widening the intersection to the west or northwest.
Implementation of the General Plan Policy CON-6. Creek and Drainageway Setbacks (a) and (b) would establish
setbacks for future improvements as a result of the proposed project including the intersection upgrade at Los
Gamos Drive and Lucas Valley Road. For these reasons, the impact is considered less than significant and no
mitigation is required.
(Sources: 1, 3, 4, 10)
c. Have a substantial adverse effect on federally
protected wetlands as defined by Section 404
of the Clean Water Act (including, but not
limited to, marsh, vernal pool, coastal, etc.)
through direct removal, filling, hydrological
interruption, or other means?
Discussion:
Less Than Significant Impact. See discussion in IV (b) above. The project footprint lacks riparian and wetland
habitat. The northeastern boundary of the project area has an unnamed intermittent tributary to Gallinas Creek;
Potentially
Significant
Impact
Less-Than-
Significant With
Mitigation
Incorporation
Less-Than-
Significant
Impact
No
Impact
Environmental Checklist Form 44 Kaiser Permanente: 1650 Los Gamos
Medical Office Building
however, no work is proposed that would modify or impact this channel. Per the San Rafael General Plan, CON-
6. Creek and Drainageway Setbacks, no structures or development is allowed within 25 feet of the top of creek
banks. Based on the proposed project design and preliminary recommendation for intersection improvements at
Los Gamos Drive and Lucas Valley Road, no structures or development would be located within 25 feet of the
unnamed intermittent channel. For these reasons, the impact is considered less than significant and no mitigation
is required.
(Sources: 1, 3, 4, 10)
d. Interfere substantially with the movement of
any native resident or migratory fish or
wildlife species or with established native
resident or migratory wildlife corridors, or
impede the use of native wildlife nursery
sites?
Discussion:
Less Than Significant Impact with Mitigation Incorporation: See discussion in IV(a) and (b) above. GANDA
conducted a biological site assessment of the subject property on March 14, 2016. The proposed project footprint
would primarily be kept to the existing developed building and parking lot areas. With implementation of BMPs
including erosion control, wildlife exclusion fencing, biological monitoring and protection of sensitive resources,
impacts to wildlife species may be avoided. The northeastern boundary of the project area has an unnamed
intermittent tributary to Gallinas Creek; however, no work is proposed that would modify or impact this channel.
Due to the intermittent nature of this channel, it is not likely to support any native resident fish species. Because
the project site is currently developed and the proposed new development is within th is developed footprint, no
interference with any migratory wildlife corridors or native wildlife nursery sites will occur.
However, the project area, including the landscaped ornamental vegetation and the existing building structure,
may support nesting birds and roosting bats. To mitigate impacts to these species, implementation of the
following mitigation measure would reduce potential impacts to less than significant levels:
MM BIO-1: Prior to issuance of a grading or building permit, the Project sponsor shall conduct a
preconstruction nesting bird and bat survey. Preconstruction surveys shall include the following:
1) Perform any vegetation trimming and/or removal outside of the bird nesting season (Sept. 1 –
Feb. 14);
2) Provide a worker environmental awareness training for construction personnel;
3) Perform preconstruction surveys for nesting migratory birds by a qualified biologist no more
than 72 hours prior to the start of construction for activities occurring during the breedin g season
(February 15 to August 31); and
4) If work is to occur within 300 feet of active raptor nests or 50 feet of active passerine nests,
non-disturbance buffers will be established at a distance sufficient to minimize disturbance.
(Sources: 1, 3, 4, 10)
e. Conflict with any local policies or ordinances
Potentially
Significant
Impact
Less-Than-
Significant With
Mitigation
Incorporation
Less-Than-
Significant
Impact
No
Impact
Environmental Checklist Form 45 Kaiser Permanente: 1650 Los Gamos
Medical Office Building
protecting biological resources, such as a tree
preservation policy or ordinance?
Discussion:
Less Than Significant Impact: The project site contains over 300 existing trees, including native oaks and
redwoods, and other landscape varietals. Urban Forestry Associates (“UFA”) conducted a survey of the project
site and identified 274 trees within the planned building envelope for the proposed project that could potentially
be impacted by proposed improvements. Of the 274 trees surveyed by UFA, 61 have significance, due to size,
and unique character in this locale. The landscape plan (Sheet L-105) indicates an additional 19 trees could be
impacted due to their location, resulting in canopy reduction or root zone impacts. UFA provided an arborist
report which included recommendations for a Tree Protection Zone (TPZ) to preserve remaining trees on site
within the limits of disturbance.
Several mature redwood trees used as screen trees at the west of the parking structure would be retained as part of
the proposed project. Furthermore, the balance of the parking structure parcel would remain untouched including
mature native and landscaping trees. The proposed project includes 31 replacement trees to the north and east of
the proposed parking structure. Although the City’s Environmental and Design Review Permit Review Criteria
(SRMC Section 14.25.050.G) requires preservation of trees and or equal numbers of replacement trees,
revegetating the site with an additional 30 trees would over -burden the available planting areas and increase fire
fuel load. As the proposed project is located within a Wildland Urban Interface zone, the proposed replanting
plan is consistent with the general requirements of the SRMC. For these reasons, the impact would be considered
less than significant and no further mitigation would be required.
(Sources: 2, 3, 10)
f. Conflict with the provisions of an adopted
Habitat Conservation Plan, Natural
Community Conservation Plan, or other
approved local, regional, or state habitat
conservation plan?
Discussion:
No Impact: There are no Habitat Conservation or Natural Community Conservation Plans within the project area.
See discussion above in IV(a). Proposed improvements are specific to the new parking structure and the
intersection upgrade at Los Gamos and Lucas Valley Road. Per the biological constraints analysis, no sensitive
habitats or species would be impacted by the proposed project. For these reasons, there would be no impact and
no mitigation would be required.
(Sources: 1, 3, 4, 10)
V. CULTURAL RESOURCES
Would the project:
a. Cause a substantial adverse change in the
significance of a historical resource as
defined in §15064.5?
Potentially
Significant
Impact
Less-Than-
Significant With
Mitigation
Incorporation
Less-Than-
Significant
Impact
No
Impact
Environmental Checklist Form 46 Kaiser Permanente: 1650 Los Gamos
Medical Office Building
Discussion:
No Impact: The proposed project involves amending the current PD zoning to allow medical office uses in the
existing building. The existing building was constructed in 1979 and does not meet criteria as defined in CEQA
Guidelines Section 15064.5. No physical improvements are proposed to the existing office building, with the
exception of updated exterior finishes and branding related to Kaiser Permanente. A new three-story parking
structure is proposed to meet current City standards for parking requirements. Modifications to surface parking
areas, including new landscaping, would be required for parking upgrades. A signalized intersection would be
constructed at Los Gamos and Lucas Valley Road, but would be generally contained to areas of existing site
disturbance.
No structures would be modified or removed to facilitate the required parking and circulation improvements.
Based on the results of the cultural resources investigation conducted for the proposed project, no cultural
resources have been identified within the project area. The existing building, culverts, and drainage system, is
associated with the development of the property in the 1980s. Since they are not more than 45 years old, they are
not considered cultural resources and there would be no impacts to historical resources as defined in
Section15064.5. Therefore, there is no impact and no mitigation is required.
(Sources: 1, 3, 4, 9, 21, 22)
b. Cause a substantial adverse change in the
significance of an archaeological resource
pursuant to §15064.5?
Discussion:
Less Than Significant Impact with Mitigation Incorporation: According to both the City of San Rafael’s
adopted Archaeological Sensitivity Map and “PastFinder”, a citywide database of parcel -specific archaeological
sensitivity reports for development proposals that involve excavation or grading, the parcels that comprise the
project site have a sensitivity rating of “low” and no archaeological consultation is recommended prior to
initiating a permitted project.
Based upon this preliminary cultural resource investigation, the chance of unknown archaeological resources
being uncovered during excavation, grading or construction is remote. However, given the proximity of the site
to a creek, an archeological investigation was prepared.
GANDA conducted an archaeological investigation of the subject property and prepared a written report on May
14, 2017. GANDA archaeologist Robin Fies, M.A., conducted a records search for a 0.2-mile radius around the
Project Area, at the Northwest Information Center (NWIC) of the California Historical Resources Information
System (CHRIS) at Sonoma State University, Rohnert Park (File No. 15-1354). The following sources were
consulted during the records search:
1. NWIC base map: USGS 7.5-minute series topographic quadrangle of Novato, California (1980).
2. Survey reports from previous cultural resources investigations and cultural resources site records to
identify recorded archaeological sites and built environmental resources (i.e., buildings, structures, and
objects) located within a 0.25-mile radius of the APE.
Potentially
Significant
Impact
Less-Than-
Significant With
Mitigation
Incorporation
Less-Than-
Significant
Impact
No
Impact
Environmental Checklist Form 47 Kaiser Permanente: 1650 Los Gamos
Medical Office Building
3. California Office of Historic Preservation (OHP) sources, including the California Inventory of Historic
Resources (1976), California Archaeological Determinations of Eligibility (2012a), a nd the Historic
Properties Directory (2012b), which combines cultural resources listed as California Points of
Historical Interest and California Historical Landmarks and those that are listed in or determined
eligible for listing in the National Register of Historic Places (NRHP) or the California Register of
Historical Resources (CRHR).
Records Search Results
The records search indicates that two cultural resources investigations have been completed within or directly
adjacent to the project area: Chavez 1979 and Darko 2014. Additionally, the records search indicated that eight
cultural resources investigations have been completed within a 0.25-mile radius of the project area. The records
search did not result in the identification of previously recorde d cultural resources in or within a 0.25-mile radius
of the project area; however, three prehistoric cultural resources were identified within a 0.5-mile radius of the
project area along Miller Creek. None are located within or adjacent to the project area, but rather demonstrate
the sensitivity of the area around Miller Creek for prehistoric, Native American resources.
Field Survey Results
Most of the project area is covered by an asphalt parking lot. Areas of natural ground surface were present to the
north, west and south of the parking lot. The project area is generally hilly with slopes ranging from 10-30
degrees. The area is grass covered and vegetated in some places with brush, trees, and poison oak. Ground
visibility is generally poor, ranging from 0-25 percent, and pockets of exposed soils were examined for artifacts.
Las Gallinas Creek runs through the northeastern portion of the project area and through a culvert under Los
Gamos Drive. The creek is deeply incised and cuts through hilly areas. The exposed banks within the project area
were examined for cultural materials but none were observed. Concrete-lined drainage ditches that feed runoff
from Salvador Way up slope down to Las Gallinas Creek and run through the project area. No archaeological
materials or sites were observed during the survey.
Based on the results of the cultural resources investigation conducted for th e proposed project, no prehistoric or
historic-period archaeological resources were identified within the project area.
Although construction of the proposed project would have no impact on known archaeological resources, there is
a possibility that previously unidentified archaeological resources and subsurface deposits are present within the
project area. If present, excavation, grading, and movement of heavy construction vehicles and equipment could
expose, disturb or damage any such previously unrecorded archaeological resources. Because the possibility of
encountering archaeological resources during construction cannot be completely discounted, the impact related to
the potential disturbance or damage of previously undiscovered archaeological resources, if present, could be
significant.
MM CULT-1: Protect Archaeological Resources Identified during Construction: The project sponsor shall
ensure that construction crews stop all work within 100 feet of the discovery until a qualified
archaeologist can assess the previously unrecorded discovery and provide recommendations.
Resources could include subsurface historic features such as artifact-filled privies, wells, and refuse
pits, and artifact deposits, along with concentrations of adobe, stone, or concrete walls or foundations,
and concentrations of ceramic, glass, or metal materials. Native American archaeological material s
could include obsidian and chert flaked stone tools (such as projectile and dart points), midden
(culturally derived darkened soil containing heat-affected rock, artifacts, animal bones, and/or
shellfish remains), and/or groundstone implements (such as mortars and pestles).
Potentially
Significant
Impact
Less-Than-
Significant With
Mitigation
Incorporation
Less-Than-
Significant
Impact
No
Impact
Environmental Checklist Form 48 Kaiser Permanente: 1650 Los Gamos
Medical Office Building
Implementation of MM CULT-1 (Protect of Archaeological Resources Identified during Construction) would
reduce impacts on any previously unrecorded and buried archaeological resources to less -than significant-levels
by requiring the Project proponent and its contractors to adhere to appropriate procedures and protocols for
minimizing such impacts, in the event that a possible archaeological resource is discovered during construction.
Following construction, operation of the proposed project would not result in further ground disturbance within
the project area. Therefore, no operational impacts to archaeological resources would occur.
Impacts to previously unidentified archaeological resources within the project area would be reduced to a less-
than-significant level and no further mitigation is required.
(Sources: 1, 3, 4, 9, 21, 22)
c. Directly or indirectly destroy a unique
paleontological resource or site or unique
geologic feature?
Discussion:
No Impact: No known unique paleontological or geologic features have been identified within the project area or
on the subject site. A search of the University of California Museum of Paleontology conducted on May 2, 2017
did not yield known fossil localities or unique geologic features within or near the project site. As no unique
geologic features were identified in the archival study, no further study is necessary and there is no impact.
(Sources: 1, 3, 4, 9, 21, 22)
d. Disturb any human remains, including those
interred outside of dedicated cemeteries?
Discussion:
Less Than Significant Impact with Mitigation Incorporation: See discussion in V (b) above. There are no
formal cemeteries or known interred human remains within the project area or on the subject site. No evidence of
human remains was identified within the project area. However, the potential for their presence cannot be entirely
ruled out. Construction-related excavation could expose and disturb or damage previously undiscovered human
remains.
Therefore, to reduce the potential disturbance of unknown human remains during construction to less than
significant levels, the following mitigation measure is proposed:
MM CULT-2: Protect Human Remains Identified During Construction: The Project proponent shall treat
any human remains and associated or unassociated funerary objects discovered during soil -
disturbing activities according to applicable State laws. Such treatment includes work stoppage
and immediate notification of the Marin County Coroner and qualified archaeologist, and in the
event that the Coroner’s determination that the human remains are Native American, notification
of NAHC according to the requirements in PRC Section 5097.98. NAHC would appoint a Most
Likely Descendant (“MLD”). A qualified archaeologist, Project proponent, County of Marin, and
MLD shall make all reasonable efforts to develop an agreement for the treatment, with
appropriate dignity, of any human remains and associated or unassociated funerary objects
Potentially
Significant
Impact
Less-Than-
Significant With
Mitigation
Incorporation
Less-Than-
Significant
Impact
No
Impact
Environmental Checklist Form 49 Kaiser Permanente: 1650 Los Gamos
Medical Office Building
(CEQA Guidelines Section 15064.5[d]). The agreement would take into consideration the
appropriate excavation, removal, recordation, analysis, custodianship, and fi nal disposition of the
human remains and associated or unassociated funerary objects. The PRC allows 48 hours to
reach agreement on these matters.
MM CULT-2 would be implemented during project construction to minimize potential impacts on any buried
human remains and associated or unassociated funerary objects that may be accidentally discovered during
construction activities to less-than-significant levels by requiring the District to adhere to appropriate excavation,
removal, recordation, analysis, custodianship, and final disposition protocols. Therefore, implementation of MM
CULT-2 would reduce this potential impact on buried human remains to less than significant and no further
mitigation is required.
(Sources: 1, 3, 4, 9, 21, 22)
VI. GEOLOGY AND SOILS
Would the project:
a. Expose people or structures to potential
substantial adverse effects, including the risk
of loss, injury, or death involving:
i) Rupture of a known earthquake fault,
as delineated on the most recent
Alquist-Priolo Earthquake Fault
Zoning Map issued by the State
Geologist for the area or based on
other substantial evidence of a known
fault? Refer to Division of Mines and
Geology Special Publication 42.
The project applicant contracted the services of Geosphere Consultants, Inc. of San Ramon, CA, to evaluate the
subsurface conditions at the site and prepare geotechnical recommendations for the proposed new parking
structure and roadway widening associated with potential mitigation that may be required for the proposed
project. The Geosphere Geotechnical Engineering and Geologic Hazards (GEGH) study provides
recommendations for foundations, lateral earth pressures, seismic design parameters, interior and exteri or
concrete slabs, site preparation, grading, foundation excavation, drainage, utility trench backfilling, and pavement
design related to the parking structure and roadway widening and limited surface improvements around the
existing building.
Discussion:
No Impact: The subject site is located within the tectonically active and geologically complex northern Coast
Ranges but is not mapped within an Alquist-Priolo Earthquake Fault Zone. The northern Coast Ranges were
segmented into a series of tectonic blocks separated by major faults including the San Andreas, Rodgers Creek,
Hayward, and Calaveras. The project site is situated between the active Rodgers Creek and San Andreas faults,
but no known active faults with Holocene movement (last 11,000 years) lie within the limits of the site. In the
Potentially
Significant
Impact
Less-Than-
Significant With
Mitigation
Incorporation
Less-Than-
Significant
Impact
No
Impact
Environmental Checklist Form 50 Kaiser Permanente: 1650 Los Gamos
Medical Office Building
event of a major earthquake in the Bay Area, the site may be susceptible to seismic shaking and related ground
failure. However, surface rupture is highly unlikely at this site since no active faults are known to cross the project
site and the site is not located within the Alquist-Priolo Earthquake Fault Zone. There would be no impact.
(Sources: 1, 3, 4, 6, 15)
ii) Strong seismic ground shaking?
Discussion:
Less Than Significant Impact: As discussed in the proposed project’s Geotechnical Investigation, strong seismic
ground shaking at the site is highly probably during the life of the project. The site will likely experience severe
ground shaking from a major earthquake originating from the major active Bay Area faults, particularly the
nearby San Andreas Fault (approximately 10.5 miles from the site) or Hayward -Rodgers Creek Fault
(approximately 8.5 miles from the site). The intensity of ground shaking will depend on the characteristics of the
causative fault, distance from the fault, the earthquake magnitude and duration, and site -specific geologic
conditions. The report concludes that the project improvements should be designed in accordance with the
California Building Code and recommended seismic design parameters provided in the Table 6.2.1 of the GEGH
study. Furthermore, construction level designs would be reviewed and approved by the City of San Rafael
pursuant to the most current CBC regulations and standards. For these reasons, the impact is considered less than
significant and no mitigation is required.
(Sources: 1, 3, 4, 6, 15)
iii) Seismic related ground failure,
including liquefaction?
Discussion:
Less Than Significant Impact: Liquefaction refers to the sudden, temporary loss of soil strength during strong
ground shaking. Research and historical data indicate that soil liquefaction generally occurs in saturated, loose
granular soil (primarily fine to medium-grained, clean sand deposits) during or after strong seismic ground
shaking and is typified by a loss of shear strength in the affected soil layer, thereby causing the soil to flow as a
liquid. However, because of the higher inter-granular pressure of the soil at greater depths, the potential for
liquefaction is generally limited to the upper 40 feet of the soil. Potential hazards associated with soil liquefaction
below or near a structure include loss of foundation support, lateral spreading, sand boils, and areal and
differential settlement. Lateral spreading is lateral ground movement, with some vertical component, as a result
of liquefaction. Lateral spreading can occur on relatively flat sites with slopes less than two percent under certain
circumstances. Lateral spreading can cause ground cracking and settlement.
The project site is not currently within the State of California Special Study Zones. However, as indicated on the
Marin Map GIS online mapping tool and the liquefaction hazard susceptible map regenerated by Association of
Bay Area Governments (ABAG) based on the United States Geological Survey (USGS), the site is located at the
boundary between a zone of very low to low and moderate liquefaction potential. These conditions are also
included in Figure 6, Liquefaction Susceptibility Map of the Geosphere GEGH study. The site is predominantly
Potentially
Significant
Impact
Less-Than-
Significant With
Mitigation
Incorporation
Less-Than-
Significant
Impact
No
Impact
Environmental Checklist Form 51 Kaiser Permanente: 1650 Los Gamos
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underlain by a layer of shallow very stiff to hard sandy clay to highly weathered, fractured bedrock. Groundwater
was not encountered in any of the borings (up to a depth of 27 feet below the existing ground surface). Based on
the information collected during the field investigation, laboratory test results, dense nature of the soils
encountered in the borings within the project site, and great depth to groundwater, Geosphere concluded that the
potential for liquefaction to occur at the project site is not likely. Soil tests at the project site indicate that ground
settlement of the near surface soils in a seismic event would be minor. Lurching and ground cracking generally
occur along the tops of slopes and the site is located on relatively flat ground, thus the potential for significant
lurching and ground cracking is low. For these reasons, the impact is considered less than significant and no
mitigation is required.
(Sources: 1, 3, 4, 6, 15)
iv) Landslides?
Discussion:
Less Than Significant Impact: The project site, including existing office building, is located on an area mainly
defined as surficial deposits and not susceptible to landsliding. However, the proposed parking structure site is
located in an area defined as few landslides per the Marin Map GIS online mapping database. The parking
structure would be constructed on an area previously developed with a surface parking lot but will require
excavation and cuts to construct the foundations for the structure. The Geosphere GEGH study includes
recommendations for project construction including criteria for foundations, slabs and retaining walls.
Furthermore, the risk of slope instability is reduced by adhering to relevant CBC requirements for grading and
building design. Therefore, the impact is considered less than significant and no mitigation is required.
(Sources: 3, 5, 6, 15)
b. Result in substantial soil erosion or the loss
of topsoil?
Discussion:
Less Than Significant Impact: Sandy soils on moderate slopes or clayey soils on steep slopes are susceptible to
erosion when exposed to concentrated surface water flow. The site is relatively level with little relief thus the
potential for significant erosion at the site is minimal. Project development would cover the entir e site with the
proposed structure and landscaping improvements. As proposed, the civil plans collect surface water into a storm
drain system to temporary retention systems onsite and into the City storm drainage system. Erosion control
measures during and after construction would be required to conform to the City of San Rafael Public Works
Department (DPW) Grading and Construction Erosion and Sediment Control Plan Permit Application Package
and the Regional Water Quality Control Board standards. Conditions of approval would be included in project
approvals requiring adherence to the various local and regulatory agencies permitting procedures. For these
reasons, the impact is considered less than significant and no mitigation is required.
(Sources: 1, 3, 4, 6)
Potentially
Significant
Impact
Less-Than-
Significant With
Mitigation
Incorporation
Less-Than-
Significant
Impact
No
Impact
Environmental Checklist Form 52 Kaiser Permanente: 1650 Los Gamos
Medical Office Building
c. Be located on a geologic unit or soil that is
unstable, or that would become unstable as a
result of the project, and potentially result in
on, or offsite landslide, lateral spreading,
subsidence, liquefaction or collapse?
Discussion:
Less Than Significant Impact: The Geosphere GEGH study describes lateral spreading as lateral ground
movement, with some vertical component, as a result of liquefaction. The soil rides on top of the liquefied layer.
Lateral spreading can occur on relatively flat sites with slopes less than two percent under certain circumstances.
Lateral spreading can cause ground cracking and settlement. The project site is not currently within the State of
California Special Study Zones. However, per the liquefaction hazard susceptible map regenerated by ABAG
based on the USGS and William Lettis & Associates, the site is located at the boundary between a zone of very
low to moderate liquefaction potential (see Geosphere Figure 6, Liquefaction Susceptibility Map). The site is
predominantly underlain by a layer of shallow very stiff to hard sandy clay to highly weathered, fractured
bedrock. Groundwater was not encountered in any of the borings (up to a depth of 27 feet below the existing
ground surface).
Withdrawal of groundwater and other fluids (i.e. petroleum and the extraction of natural gas) from beneath the
surface has been linked to large-scale land subsidence and associated cracking on the ground surface. Other
causes for ground cracking and subsidence include the oxidation and resultant compaction of peat beds, the
decline of groundwater levels and consequent compaction of aquifers, hydro-compaction and subsequent
settlement of alluvial deposits above the water table from irrigation, or a combination of any of these causes.
These factors were not observed at the project site.
The result of the laboratory testing performed on representative sample of the near -surface soils indicated low
plasticity soils. Subsurface deposits encountered during the drilling program generally consisted of stiff to hard or
medium dense to very dense clay, clayey sand, and bedrock. Collapsible soils are loose chemically bonded fine
sandy and silty soils that have been laid down by the action of flowing water, usually in alluvial fan deposits.
Terrace deposits and fluvial deposits can also contain collapsible soil deposits. The soil particles are usually
bound together with a mineral precipitate. The loose structure is maintained in the soil until a load is imposed on
the soil and water is introduced. The water breaks down the inter-particle bonds and the newly imposed loading
densifies the soil. These types of soils are not present at this site
Based on the information collected during the field investigation, laboratory test results, dense nature of the soils
encountered in the borings within the project site, and great depth to groundwater, Geosphere concluded that there
is low potential for liquefaction, subsidence or related ground cracking, and/or collapsible soils at the project site.
For these reasons the potential impact is considered less than significant and no mitigation is required.
(Sources: 1, 3, 4, 6)
d. Be located on expansive soil, as defined in
Table 18-1-B of the Uniform Building Code
Potentially
Significant
Impact
Less-Than-
Significant With
Mitigation
Incorporation
Less-Than-
Significant
Impact
No
Impact
Environmental Checklist Form 53 Kaiser Permanente: 1650 Los Gamos
Medical Office Building
(1994), creating substantial risks to life or
property?
Discussion:
Less Than Significant Impact: See Response VI (c) above. The Geosphere GEGH study indicates that
expansive soils were not observed during their field investigations of the project site and state that the potential
for structural damage due to expansive soils is low. Therefore, the potential impact is considered less than
significant and no mitigation is required.
(Sources: 1, 3, 4, 6)
e. Have soils incapable of adequately
supporting the use of septic tanks or
alternative wastewater disposal systems
where sewers are not available for the
disposal of wastewater?
Discussion:
No Impact: The project site is located in north San Rafael where sewer disposal systems are in place. The project
site is currently served with existing sewer service. The proposed project does not include septic tanks or
alternative wastewater disposal systems. There would be no impact.
(Sources: 1, 3, 4, 6, 13)
VII. GREENHOUSE GAS EMMISSIONS
Would the project:
a. Generate greenhouse gas emissions, either
directly or indirectly, that may have a significant
impact on the environment?
Discussion:
Potentially Significant Impact. In 2011, the City of San Rafael adopted a new Sustainability Element for
General Plan 2020 that contains a Climate Change Action Plan (CCAP). The CCAP includes goals to achieve
Greenhouse Gas (GHG) emissions level reductions by 2025 and 2050 that exceed the State’s goals under AB 32.
City of San Rafael GHG Emissions Reduction Strategy
In 2011, the City of San Rafael prepared a GHG Emissions Reduction Strategy to provide technical support to the
San Rafael General Plan 2020 (new Sustainability Element) and the 2009-adopted CCAP. This strategy serves as
technical appendix (CCAP Appendix E) to the adopted CCAP and meets the BAAQMD requirements for a
Qualified GHG Emissions Reduction Strategy. The strategy was adopted by the City Council in July 2011 and
includes the following:
• An updated GHG emissions inventory. The initial inventory prepared for the CCAP using
the ICLEI modeling program has been updated using more current methodologies for
calculating vehicle miles traveled (VMT) and associated emissions. Methane emissions
Potentially
Significant
Impact
Less-Than-
Significant With
Mitigation
Incorporation
Less-Than-
Significant
Impact
No
Impact
Environmental Checklist Form 54 Kaiser Permanente: 1650 Los Gamos
Medical Office Building
associated with waste disposal were updated using the California Air Resources Board
(CARB) Landfill Emission Tool. Stationary sources of emissions have been included in the
inventory update per the BAAQMD guidelines and thresholds. The strategy discloses that
community-wide GHG emissions in 2005 were 412,804 metric tons of CO2 equivalents
(MTCO2e), with 43% of this amount attributed to transportation. This emission estimate is
considered the “baseline” for future reduction goals.
• GHG emission projections through year 2035 (consistent with target date set by Senate Bill
375). The projections rely on ABAG projections of housing, population, and employment
growth within the City by 2020 (per Senate Bill 32) and 2035 (per Senate Bill 375), as well as
Metropolitan Transportation Commission’s (MTC) county-specific growth estimates of VTM
for Marin County. Based on projected growth, annual emission forecasts under “business as
usual” conditions (no application of GHG reduction measures) are estimated at 494,824
MTCO2e by 2035 (19.87% increase).
• Identification of reduction targets. SB 32 and the adopted CCAP target a 25% reduction in
2005 baseline GHG emissions by 2020. For San Rafael, the annual emission reduction target
is 385,282 MTCOe for 2020 and 380,765 MTCO2 by 2035.
• Application of reduction measures from CCAP. The strategy quantifies numerous reduction
measures from CCAP programs such as: implementing transit -oriented development;
participation in Marin Clean Energy; SMART rail service; increased transit service;
implementing transportation demand management; promoting alternative and fuel efficient
vehicles; promoting zero waste; implementation of Green Building codes; and promoting
affordable housing.
• Providing a GHG Emission Reduction Summary. Based on application of the reduction
measures and projected growth, estimated annual emissions can be reduced by 56,858
MTCO2e by 2020 and 78,382 MTCO2e by 2035.
Application to new development projects consistent with the San Rafael General Plan 2020.
In order to meet the reduction targets, new construction projects must be determined to be consistent with the
GHG Emissions Reduction Strategy. A checklist has been developed to be used in reviewing new development
applications, to ensure that GHG reduction measures are incorporated into the project design and operation.
Project compliance with the measures in the checklist would exempt individual, quantitative study of GHG
emissions for an individual development project. Development projects that are not able to meet the standards in
the checklist, or projects that propose an amendment to the San Rafael General Plan (e.g., a change in land use
that results in changes to the projections used in the strategy) would require an individual, quantitative GHG
emissions assessment.
The project proposes land uses that are permitted by t he San Rafael General Plan. Because the proposed project
includes the conversion of approximately 148,000 square feet of office space to medical office uses, a quantitative
analysis of the new building will be prepared to evaluate the effects of additional peak hour and daily vehicle
trips.
Project-related GHG emissions would include emissions from direct and indirect sources. The proposed project
would result in direct and indirect emissions of CO2, N2O, and CH4, and would not result in other GHGs that
Potentially
Significant
Impact
Less-Than-
Significant With
Mitigation
Incorporation
Less-Than-
Significant
Impact
No
Impact
Environmental Checklist Form 55 Kaiser Permanente: 1650 Los Gamos
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would facilitate a meaningful analysis. Therefore, this analysis focuses on these three forms of GHG emissions.
Direct project-related GHG emissions include emissions from construction activities, area sources, and mobile
sources, while indirect sources include emissions from electricity consumption, water demand, and solid waste
generation. Operational GHG estimations are based on energy emissions from natural gas usage and automobile
emissions.
This Initial Study provides a preliminary analysis to identify the impacts of the project upon GHG emissions
considerations. Because a comprehensive analysis of traffic, construction and operational activities has not yet
been undertaken, the proposed project may potentially result in GHG impacts. This threshold will be discussed in
the EIR for the proposed project. The EIR will analyze potential mitigation measures, as well as potential
temporary and cumulative mitigation measures appropriate to reduce potential GHG emission impacts to less than
significant levels.
(Sources: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 12)
b. Conflict with an applicable plan, policy or
regulation for the purpose of reducing the
emissions of greenhouse gases?
Discussion:
Potentially Significant Impact. See discussion in VII(a). above.
(Sources: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 12)
VIII. HAZARDS AND HAZARDOUS MATERIALS
Would the project:
a. Create a significant hazard to the public or
the environment through the routine
transport, use, or disposal of hazardous
materials?
Discussion:
Less Than Significant Impact. The proposed project includes the reuse of an existing three-story office building
from general office uses to medical office use. It is anticipated that the transport of medical equipment and
medical waste would occur. Medical and administrative activities would utilize and store hazardous materials
typical in medical office and professional office environments. Common office chemi cals such as toners, paints,
lubricants, hand sanitizer, and kitchen as well as office and restroom cleaners would be used. Additional
hazardous and biohazardous materials would be used during patient care, laboratory testing and medical
diagnostics activities, as well as for facilities maintenance tasks. These products could potentially include fuels,
liquid oxygen, waste oil, battery waste, various liquid medical use chemicals such as skin prep, tissue fixative and
medications, and radioactive materials. In addition, the proposed project would include use of a diesel-powered
emergency back-up generator. This generator would be located within the existing building footprint and would
only be used during emergencies or when being tested (typically, monthly).
Potentially
Significant
Impact
Less-Than-
Significant With
Mitigation
Incorporation
Less-Than-
Significant
Impact
No
Impact
Environmental Checklist Form 56 Kaiser Permanente: 1650 Los Gamos
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Because of the potential health and safety risks of the above hazardous materials, medical facilities such as the
proposed project are required to comply with specific federal, state, and local laws and regulations regarding the
transportation, storage, use, and disposal of chemical and other materials considered a risk to public health. As a
result, areas within the proposed medical office building that contain hazardous chemicals, gases or bio-hazards
must be equipped with proper ventilation and secondary spill containment. In addition, flammable materials
greater than 5-gallons stored indoors would be kept in fire safety cabinets when not in use. Hazardous materials
would be stored in original containers until usage. The hazardous materials would also be stored in locations in
each building according to compatibility and in storage enclosures (i.e., flammable material storage cabinets and
biological safety cabinets) or in areas or rooms specially designed, protected, and for such storage. Haza rdous
materials would only be used by personnel that have been trained in the handling and use of the material and that
have received proper hazard-communication training. Hazardous materials planning and reporting requirements
under the California Hazardous Materials Business Planning, California Proposition 65 notification, and
Emergency Planning and Community-Right-to-Know Act would be initiated and completed, as required, for acute
care facilities. The proposed project’s emergency back-up generator would be subject to the requirements of the
California Fire Code, which includes placement limitations and fuel capacity limits. Compliance with specific
federal, state, and local hazardous waste laws and regulations would reduce the risk of hazard and hazard s to
workers, the public, and the environment, such that they would not pose a threat to project occupants or the
public. Furthermore, the project plans have been reviewed by City Departments, including Public Works, Police
and Fire. Construction activities on the site would not involve materials hazardous to the public. Project
development would be subject to City requirements for construction activities including management and
transportation of debris disposal and recycling. All construction activities would be subject for inspection by the
City.
The proposed project would not involve routine transport, use or disposal of hazardous materials and would not
create a significant hazard to the public. For these reasons, the impact is considered less than si gnificant and no
mitigation is required.
(Sources: 3, 4, 6, 8, 13)
b. Create a significant hazard to the public or
the environment through reasonably
foreseeable upset and accident conditions
involving the release of hazardous materials
into the environment?
Discussion:
Less Than Significant Impact. See discussion in VIII (a) above. The proposed project would not include the use
of hazardous materials. Although the proposed project incl udes the routine use and transport of materials and
medical waste, these would not be of the type and/or quantity that would be considered hazardous. Furthermore,
laws, regulations, and standards administered through the federal Resource Conservation and Recovery Act of
1976 (RCRA), California Occupational Safety and Health Administration (Cal/OSHA), California Department of
Transportation, California Department of Health Services (CDHS), California Environmental Protection Agency
(Cal EPA), and the California Fire Code would ensure that the proposed project would implement current
safeguards and standards to reduce the risk or chemical and hazardous material exposure at the project site and
surrounding environment. The project would not create a significant hazard to the public or the environment
through reasonably foreseeable upset and accident conditions involving the release of hazardous materials into the
Potentially
Significant
Impact
Less-Than-
Significant With
Mitigation
Incorporation
Less-Than-
Significant
Impact
No
Impact
Environmental Checklist Form 57 Kaiser Permanente: 1650 Los Gamos
Medical Office Building
environment. For these reasons, the potential impact is considered less than significant an d no mitigation is
required.
(Sources: 3, 4, 8, 13)
c. Emit hazardous emissions or handle
hazardous or acutely hazardous materials,
substances, or waste within one-quarter mile
of an existing or proposed school?
Discussion:
Less Than Significant Impact. See discussion in VIII (a) and (b) above. There is a childcare facility (Bright
Horizons at Marin Commons) and a private middle and high school (Fusion Academy) located within a ¼ mile of
the project site at 1600 Los Gamos Drive. Federal, state and local laws, regulations, and standards would ensure
that the proposed project would implement current safeguards and standards and reduce the risk of hazard and
hazards to the public, such that they would not pose a threat to project occupants or the sensitive receptors within
¼ mile of the proposed project site. For these reasons, the impacts are considered less than significant and no
mitigation is required.
(Sources: 3, 4, 8, 13)
d. Be located on a site which is included on a
list of hazardous materials sites compiled
pursuant to Government Code Section
65962.5 and, as a result, would it create a
significant hazard to the public or the
environment?
Discussion:
No Impact: The project site is located within North San Rafael Commercial Center and is not included on a list
of hazardous material sites. The project applicant had a Phase I Environmental Site Assessment prepared by
Stantec in February 2016. The Phase I report provided research of potential underground storage tanks and
concluded there are no such conditions on the project site. For these reasons, there would be no impact.
(Sources: 1, 3, 4, 8, 13)
e. For a project located within an airport land
use plan or, where such a plan has not been
adopted, within two miles of a public airport
or public use airport, would the project result
in a safety hazard for people residing or
working in the project area?
Discussion:
No Impact: The project site is located within North San Rafael Commercial Center and is not within two miles of
a public airport nor located within an airport land use plan. The nearest public airport, Marin County Airport -
Gnoss Field in Novato, is approximately 8 miles north of the project site. There would be no impact.
Potentially
Significant
Impact
Less-Than-
Significant With
Mitigation
Incorporation
Less-Than-
Significant
Impact
No
Impact
Environmental Checklist Form 58 Kaiser Permanente: 1650 Los Gamos
Medical Office Building
(Sources: 1, 3, 4, 8, 13)
f. For a project within the vicinity of a private
airstrip, would the project result in a safety
hazard for people residing or working in the
project area?
Discussion:
Less Than Significant Impact: The project site is approximately one-mile west of the private airstrip, San Rafael
Airport, in North San Rafael. However, the proposed project includes the conversion of existing office building
to medical office uses and only includes minor exterior modifications to the existing building. A parking garage
would be constructed in an area previously developed with surface parking. The existing building is not located
within the flight path of the San Rafael Airport, nor is located within the noise contours for the airstrip.
Construction of the proposed project would not introduce persons to flight paths for the airport. For these
reasons, the impact is considered less than significant and no mitigation is required.
(Sources: 1, 3, 4, 8, 13)
g. Impair implementation of or physically
interfere with an adopted emergency
response plan or emergency evacuation plan?
Discussion:
No Impact: The proposed project, a reuse of an existing office building for medical office uses, located within
North San Rafael Commercial Center, would be consistent with the General Plan and Zoning Ordinance in terms
of the types of land uses, including general office and medial office. The proposed project has been reviewed by
City Departments, including Public Works, Fire, and Police and responsible agencies. No concerns have been
raised about the City’s ability to provide continuing services to the project site nor that it would interfere with and
adopted emergency response or evacuation plan. There would be no impact.
(Sources: 1, 2, 3, 13)
h. Expose people or structures to a significant
risk of loss, injury or death involving
wildland fires, including where wildlands are
adjacent to urbanized areas or where
residences are intermixed with wildlands?
Discussion:
Less Than Significant Impact: The western parcel of project site, APN 165-220-12, is located within the City's
Wildland-Urban Interface zone (WUI). This portion of the project site would include the proposed parking
structure. The project includes design features that address potential fire related concerns including access and
egress and sprinklers and other fire suppression measures. The proposed project has been reviewed by City
Departments, including Public Works and Fire, and no concerns have been raised about exposing people or
Potentially
Significant
Impact
Less-Than-
Significant With
Mitigation
Incorporation
Less-Than-
Significant
Impact
No
Impact
Environmental Checklist Form 59 Kaiser Permanente: 1650 Los Gamos
Medical Office Building
structures to significant risk or loss, injury or death involving wildland fires. The existing office building is not
located with a WUI zone but includes existing fire protection measures. For these reasons, the impact is
considered less than significant and no mitigation is required.
(Sources: 1, 2, 3, 4)
IX. HYDROLOGY AND WATER QUALITY
Would the project:
a. Violate any water quality standards or waste
discharge requirements?
Discussion:
Less Than Significant Impact with Mitigation Incorporation: The site consists of two parcels totaling
approximately 11.1 acres separated by a public roadway (City of San Rafael, Los Gamos Drive), in addition to 42
parking existing parking spaces located on the adjacent property at 1600 Los Gamos Drive. The 4.09‐acre eastern
parcel is fully developed with an office building, surface parking lots, and landscaping areas. The 7.02‐acre western
parcel is partially developed with surface parking lots and associated landscaping. The undeveloped areas of this
parcel include hillsides with slopes up to 50 percent which are covered with trees and ground cover. The proposed
project proposes to construct an approximately 511‐space parking structure on the western parcel and continue to
use the surface parking around the existing office building as well as 42 parking spaces at 1600 Los Gamos Drive.
The development of these parcels preceded current stormwater treatment requirements. Drainage runoff is collected
in area inlets and pipes and directly discharged to the City of San Rafael storm drainage system.
The proposed project includes the construction of a three-story parking structure in an area previously used for
surface parking. Minor exterior modifications to the existing office building would not require expanding the
existing footprint or significant development activities around the building. Minor circulation and landscape
improvements as well as parking stall restriping would be required to update the existing surface parking areas on
the parcel surrounding the existing office building. Development activities associated with the proposed project
could result in the discharge of pollutants and could impact the quality of receiving waters during construction
activities and during the operational phase.
Construction Activities
Development activities would involve demolition, grading, construction, and paving. During these activities, there
would be the potential for surface water runoff from construction sites to carry sediment and pollutants into
stormwater drainage systems and local waterways.
Grading and the exposure of shallow soils related to grading could result in erosion and sedimentation. The
accumulation of sediment could result in the blockage of flows, potentially causing increased localized ponding or
flooding. Construction activities would require the use of gasoline and diesel‐ powered heavy equipment, such as
bulldozers, backhoes, water pumps, and air compressors. Chemicals such as gasoline, diesel fuel, lubricating oil,
hydraulic oil, lubricating grease, automatic transmission fluid, paints, solvents, glues, and other substances could
Potentially
Significant
Impact
Less-Than-
Significant With
Mitigation
Incorporation
Less-Than-
Significant
Impact
No
Impact
Environmental Checklist Form 60 Kaiser Permanente: 1650 Los Gamos
Medical Office Building
be used during construction. An accidental release of any of these substances could degrade the quality of the
surface water runoff and adversely affect receiving waters. To ensure potential impacts for construction activities
do not violate any water quality standards or west discharge requirements, the following mitigation measure is
required:
MM HYDRO-1: Prior to grading activities, the project applicant shall prepare a Stormwater Pollution
Prevention Plan (SWPPP) in accordance with the requirements of the statewide
Construction General Permit. The SWPPP shall be prepared by a Qualified SWPPP
Developer (QSD). The SWPPP shall include the minimum Best Management Practices
(BMPs) required for the identified risk level. The SWPPP shall be designed to address
the following objectives:
(1) All pollutants and their sources, including sources of sediment associated with
construction, construction site erosion, and all other activities associated with
construction activity are controlled;
(2) Where not otherwise required to be under a Regional Water Quality Control Board
permit, all non‐stormwater discharges are identified and either eliminated, controlled,
or treated;
(3) Site BMPs are effective and result in the reduction or elimination of pollutants in
stormwater discharges and authorized non‐stormwater discharges from construction
activity; and
(4) Stabilization BMPs installed to reduce or eliminate pollutants after construction are
completed.
(5) BMP implementation shall be consistent with the BMP requirements in the most
recent version of the California Stormwater Quality Association Stormwater Best
Management Handbook‐Construction or the Caltrans Stormwater Quality Handbook
Construction Site BMPs Manual.
The SWPPP shall include a construction site monitoring program that identifies requirements for dry weather
visual observations of pollutants at all discharge locations, and as appropriate, depending on the project r isk level,
sampling of site effluent and receiving waters. A QSP shall be responsible for implementing the BMPs at the
project site. The QSP shall also be responsible for performing all required monitoring, BMP inspection,
maintenance and repair activities, and reporting.
Operational Phase
The development of new or replacement impervious surfaces on the project site could result in the discharge of
associated pollutants. Runoff from new landscaped areas may contain residual pesticides and nutrients, and
occupants of the building and associated foot traffic could increase the amount of trash and debris entering the
stormwater drainage system.
Potentially
Significant
Impact
Less-Than-
Significant With
Mitigation
Incorporation
Less-Than-
Significant
Impact
No
Impact
Environmental Checklist Form 61 Kaiser Permanente: 1650 Los Gamos
Medical Office Building
MM HYDRO-2: Prior to a certificate of occupancy, the Project applicant shall verify that operational
stormwater quality control measures that comply with the requirements of the current
Phase II Small MS4 Permit have been implemented. Responsibilities include, but are not
limited to:
1) Designing BMPs into Project features and operations to reduce potential impacts to
surface water quality and to manage changes in the timing and quantity of runoff
associated with operation of the project. These features shall be included in the
design‐level drainage plan and final development drawings.
2) The proposed project shall incorporate site design measures and Low Impact
Development design standards, including minimizing disturbed areas and impervious
surfaces, infiltration, harvesting, evapotranspiration, and/or bio‐treatment of
stormwater runoff.
3) The Project applicant shall establish an Operation and Maintenance Plan. This plan
shall specify a regular inspection schedule of stormwater treatment facilities in
accordance with the requirements of the Phase II Small MS4 Permit.
4) Funding for long‐term maintenance of all BMPs shall be specified.
Implementation of mitigation measures MM HYDRO-1 and 2 would ensure that development activities
associated with the proposed project would not result in the discharge of pollutants or impact water quality of
standards during construction activities and the ongoing operations of the project site. The potential impacts
would be considered less than significant and no further mitigation is required.
(Sources: 1, 3, 4, 7)
b. Substantially deplete groundwater supplies
or interfere substantially with groundwater
recharge such that there would be a net
deficit in aquifer volume or a lowering of the
local groundwater table level (e.g., the
production rate of pre-existing nearby wells
would drop to a level which would not
support existing land uses or planned uses
for which permits have been granted)?
Discussion:
No Impact: The project is located within the Marin Municipal Water District (MMWD) and would utilize
domestic water provided by the MMWD. As a result, the proposed project would not substantially deplete
groundwater supplies. MMWD has reviewed the project plans and provided their comments in a letter to the
City with the finding that there is adequate water supply to service the proposed project given that the site is
already served for nearly 150,000 square feet of office and a reuse of the building to medical office would not
significantly increase water use. There are no active wells at the site and the proposed project would have no
impact upon groundwater recharge given that the site is fully developed.
Potentially
Significant
Impact
Less-Than-
Significant With
Mitigation
Incorporation
Less-Than-
Significant
Impact
No
Impact
Environmental Checklist Form 62 Kaiser Permanente: 1650 Los Gamos
Medical Office Building
Since the new parking structure will displace the existing surface parking lot, there will be no net increase in the
amount of impervious surface area. Similarly, improvements to the off‐site roadways and existing surface
parking lots around the office building will not increase impervious surface areas. As discussed in Response IX.(a)
above, surface run off would be governed by a SWPPP, including minimum BMP standards as required by the
RWQCB and City of San Rafael municipal code. Furthermore, construction level designs would be required to meet
Marin County Stormwater Pollution Prevention Program (MCSTOPP) standards and regulations for storm water
runoff as required by the City of San Rafael. As such, the proposed project would not interfere substantially with
ground water recharge. For these reasons, the potential impact is considered less than significant and no
mitigation is required.
(Sources: 3, 4, 7, 13)
c. Substantially alter the existing drainage
pattern of the site or area, including through
the alteration of the course of a stream or
river, in a manner, which would result in
substantial erosion or siltation on- or off-
site?
Discussion:
Less Than Significant Impact with Mitigation Incorporation: The proposed project is an urban infill
development and would not impact streambeds, nor result in substantial erosion or siltation on or off-site.
However, development of the proposed project would include construction activities that would expose soils and
could potentially result in substantial erosion. As discussed previously, the State Water Resources Control Board
adopted a NPDES General Permit for Stormwater Discharges Associated with Construction and Land Disturbance
Activities (Construction General Permit). To obtain coverage under the Construction General Permit, a project
applicant must submit various documents, including a Notice of Intent and a SWPPP. Activities subject to the
Construction General Permit include clearing, grading, and disturbances to the ground, such as grubbing or
excavation.
The purpose of the SWPPP is to identify the sources of sediment and other pollutants that could affect the quality
of stormwater discharges and to describe and ensure the implementation of BMPs to reduce or eliminate sediment
and other pollutants in stormwater as well as non‐stormwater discharges resulting from construction activity.
Since the new parking structure will displace an existing surface parking lot, there will be no net increase in the
amount of impervious surface area. Similarly, improvements to the off‐site roadways and existing surface parking
lots around the office building will not significantly increase impervious surface areas. As such, the proposed
project would not result in alterations of the existing drainage pattern of the area, including through the alteration
of the course of a stream or river, in a manner which would result in substantial erosion or siltation on‐ or off‐site.
Potentially
Significant
Impact
Less-Than-
Significant With
Mitigation
Incorporation
Less-Than-
Significant
Impact
No
Impact
Environmental Checklist Form 63 Kaiser Permanente: 1650 Los Gamos
Medical Office Building
However, to ensure that construction activities do no result in substantial erosion or siltation on- or off- site during
construction, implementation of mitigation measure MM HYDRO-1 would reduce potential impacts to less than
significant levels. No further mitigation is required.
(Sources: 3, 4, 7, 13)
d. Substantially alter the existing drainage
pattern of the site or area, including through
the alteration of the course of a stream or
river, or substantially increase the rate or
amount of surface runoff in a manner, which
would result in flooding on- or off- site?
Discussion:
Less Than Significant Impact: The project site contains existing storm drainage infrastructur e serving the
surface parking lots and office building roof area. The existing storm drainage infrastructure discharges runoff to
connections with the City of San Rafael storm drainage system. This existing infrastructure would be repurposed
to serve the new parking structure. The new parking structure will displace an existing surface parking lot in
generally the same footprint and, as result, there would be no net increase in the amount of impervious surface
area. Similarly, improvements to the off‐site roadways and existing surface parking lots around the office building
will not increase impervious surface areas. As such, the proposed project would not result in flooding on‐ or
off‐site.
It is required by Marin County and the City of San Rafael t hat the proposed development would not increase the
discharged storm drain peak flow and volume. Because the site is currently fully covered with structures and a
parking lot, redevelopment of the site with the proposed project would not change the flow and volume of storm
drain run-off discharged from the site. Bioretention basins, infiltration planters and underground storage (if
required) would be designed to eliminate impacts to water quality and quantity downstream. Construction level
plans would be required to satisfy the City of San Rafael Urban Runoff Pollution Prevention Ordinance to ensure
that no new net run-off or pollutants from stormwater runoff would result from the proposed project. Furthermore,
the project would be required to satisfy BMPs and Low Impact Design (LID) to minimize impacts from
construction activities. For these reasons, there would be no impact, and no mitigation would be required.
(Sources: 3, 4, 7, 13)
e. Create or contribute runoff water, which
would exceed the capacity of existing or
planned stormwater drainage systems or
provide substantial additional sources of
polluted runoff?
Discussion:
Less Than Significant Impact: See Response IX (d) above. The project site contains existing storm drainage
infrastructure consisting of catch basins and underground piping. The existing storm drainage infrastructure
Potentially
Significant
Impact
Less-Than-
Significant With
Mitigation
Incorporation
Less-Than-
Significant
Impact
No
Impact
Environmental Checklist Form 64 Kaiser Permanente: 1650 Los Gamos
Medical Office Building
discharges runoff to connections with the City of San Rafael storm drainage system. This existing infr astructure
would be repurposed to serve the parking structure. Since the new parking structure will displace the existing
surface parking lot, there will be no net increase in the amount of impervious surface area. Similarly,
improvements to the off‐site roadways and existing surface parking lots around the office building will not
increase impervious surface areas. As such, the proposed project would not result in increased downstream flow
rates that would exceed the capacity of the stormwater drainage systems.
(Sources: 3, 4, 7, 13)
f. Otherwise substantially degrade water
quality?
Discussion:
Less Than Significant Impact with Mitigation Incorporation: See discussion in IX (d) above. Development
activities associated with the proposed project could result in the discharge of pollutants and could impact the
quality of receiving waters during construction activities and during the operational phase. As discussed in
Section a) above, the project will obtain coverage under the State’s Construction General Permit and Phase II
Small MS4 Permit. Compliance with these required permits would ensure that runoff during construction and
operation of the project site does not substantially degrade water quality.
However, to ensure that construction activities do not substantially degrade water quality, implementation of
mitigation measure MM HYDRO-1 and MM HYDRO-2 would reduce potential impacts to less than significant
levels. No further mitigation is required.
(Sources: 3, 4, 7, 13)
g. Place housing within a 100-year flood hazard
area as mapped on a federal Flood Hazard
Boundary or Flood Insurance Rate Map or
other flood hazard delineation map?
Discussion:
No Impact. As indicated in the San Rafael General Plan Exhibit 29: Flood Hazard Areas, the project site is
located outside the area of the 100-year flood, in a zone that is mapped as the area between the limits of the 100-
year flood and the 500-year flood on the current FEMA Flood Insurance Rate Map. The proposed project does not
contain any housing units. For these reasons, there would be no impact.
(Sources: 1, 3, 4, 7, 14, 15)
h. Place within a 100-year flood hazard area
structures that would impede or redirect
flood flows?
Discussion:
Potentially
Significant
Impact
Less-Than-
Significant With
Mitigation
Incorporation
Less-Than-
Significant
Impact
No
Impact
Environmental Checklist Form 65 Kaiser Permanente: 1650 Los Gamos
Medical Office Building
No Impact. See discussion in IX (g) above. The proposed project is not located in or near a 100-year flood hazard
area and would not redirect flood flows. According to the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA)
Flood Insurance Rate Map Number 06041C0293E dated March 16, 2016, the site is located within Zone X, Areas
of Minimal Flood Hazard. The proposed improvements are outside any area which would potentially impede or
redirect 100‐year flood flows. Therefore, there would be no impact and no mitigation is required.
(Sources: 3, 4, 7, 14, 15)
i. Expose people or structures to a significant
risk of loss, injury or death involving
flooding, including flooding as a result of the
failure of a levee or dam?
Discussion:
No Impact. The project site is in North Central San Rafael and is not susceptible to flooding as a result of the
failure of a levee or dam as no such structures are located within the vicinity of San Rafael. The nearest dam,
Stafford Lake, is approximately 10 miles northwest of the project site. The project site also would not be subject
to flooding from the tidal influenced Gallinas Creek, as identified on the Flood Insurance Rate Map. This is a
relatively flat site with urban storm drainage facilities in place within adjacent streets. Stormwater run-off and
other drainage infrastructure for the site would be upgraded as part of the development plan to manage runoff
from a 100-year storm event, as discussed above in IX (d).
(Sources: 1, 3, 4, 7, 14, 15)
j. Inundation by seiche, tsunami, or mudflow?
Discussion:
No Impact. There would be no risk of inundation by seiche, tsunami or mudflow at the project site. Areas of
potential tsunami inundation associated with Gallinas Creek are over half a mile away and ten feet lower in
elevation than the project site. In addition, there are no lakes, water towers or other water features that pose a rise
of seiche near the building. There would be no impact.
(Sources: 1, 3, 14, 15)
X. LAND USE AND PLANNING
Would the project:
a. Physically divide an established community?
Discussion:
No Impact. The project site is designated in the San Rafael General Plan for office 15-32 units per acre (North
San Rafael Commercial Center area) and has a PD zoning classification that allows general office (PD 1590). The
General Plan designation allows for office, including general, administrative or medical office, however, since the
PD1590 was specific to only allow general office, it requires an amendment for this proposed project. The PD
1590 designation also covers a County of Marin-owned property at 1600 Los Gamos Drive. This County-owned
and operated building includes general office uses, as well as the Marin County Office of Emergency Services.
Potentially
Significant
Impact
Less-Than-
Significant With
Mitigation
Incorporation
Less-Than-
Significant
Impact
No
Impact
Environmental Checklist Form 66 Kaiser Permanente: 1650 Los Gamos
Medical Office Building
However, since the County building also includes a County facility on that site, it is exempt from local zoning
control, since it is a superior governmental entity.
The current uses of the project site include similar types of uses to what is envisioned under the proposed project,
although they are general office in nature. The project site also includes two surface parking lots: one
surrounding the existing building on the east side of Los Gamos, and a second terraced surface lot on the west
side of Los Gamos. The proposed project would be consistent with the General Plan land use and Zoning
designations, but would require an amendment to the PD to allow for the medical office uses. The proposed
project would involve interior remodel of the existing structure and the construction of on and off-site
improvements for required parking and circulation upgrades. The proposed improvements are meant to enhance
the existing circulation and parking network associated with the existing office building. For these reasons, the
proposed project would not physically divide an established community, and therefore, there would be no impact,
and no mitigation is required.
(Sources: 1, 2, 3)
b. Conflict with any applicable land use plan,
policy, or regulation of an agency with
jurisdiction over the project (including, but
not limited to the general plan, specific plan,
local coastal program, or zoning ordinance)
adopted for the purpose of avoiding or
mitigating an environmental effect?
Discussion:
Potentially Significant Impact. As discussed above in X (a), the proposed medical office uses in the proposed
project would be consistent with the General Plan Land Use Map designation. An amendment is required to the
PD zoning designation to permit medical office use, however, amending the PD would still be consistent with
overarching GP land use designation. For instance, the proposed project would be generally consistent with other
development standards regulating building height, parking, and landscaping. No physical improvements are
required to the existing office building, but a new three-story parking structure would be constructed to
accommodate the current parking ratios required by the City of San Rafael. The design of the parking structure
would be governed pursuant to San Rafael General Plan Community Design Element Policy CD-10:
Nonresidential Design Guidelines.
The parking structure would replace an existing surface parking lot and is not higher than 43 feet above existing
grade at the front of the structure (top of elevator tower) and a max height of 26 feet to the top of the third parking
deck. The rear of the structure would be approximately 10 feet above existing grade and would be screened from
above by existing mature vegetation. As designed, the parking structure would not be visible from surrounding
residential neighborhoods, and thus compatible with the immediate neighborhood and the community as a whole .
However, since a comprehensive analysis of traffic impacts has not yet been undertaken, the scope of potential
project impacts and possible infrastructure improvements will be discussed in the EIR.
Furthermore, as discussed above in Section VII. the proposed project has not yet been evaluated for consistency
with the policies in the General Plan CCAP, which seek to limit GHG emissions and implement regional air
quality goals. This threshold will be discussed in the EIR for the proposed project. The EIR will analyze potential
Potentially
Significant
Impact
Less-Than-
Significant With
Mitigation
Incorporation
Less-Than-
Significant
Impact
No
Impact
Environmental Checklist Form 67 Kaiser Permanente: 1650 Los Gamos
Medical Office Building
traffic, construction and operational impacts and develop potential temporary and cumulative mitigation measures
appropriate to reduce potential GHG impacts to less than significant levels.
Therefore, the proposed project would need to be further evaluated to ensure there is no conflict with an
applicable land use plan, policy, or regulation adopted for the purpose of avoiding or mitigating an environmental
effect.
(Sources: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 13)
c. Conflict with any applicable habitat
conservation plan or natural community
conservation plan?
Discussion:
No Impact. The project site is located in the North San Rafael Commercial Center area where there are no
adopted habitat conservation plans nor natural community conservation plans for this area. Although the proposed
project would include a three story, approximately 511-space parking garage and potential intersection
improvements, these site modifications area largely cont ained within areas of existing disturbance and would not
require natural community or habitat disturbance. There would no impact.
(Sources: 1, 3, 4, 5, 10, 11)
XI. MINERAL RESOURCES
Would the project:
a. Result in the loss of availability of a known
mineral resource that would be of value to
the region and the residents of the state?
Discussion:
No Impact. No known mineral resources would be impacted by the proposed project, which would be located on
a previously disturbed site located in the North San Rafael Commercial Center area. There would be no impact.
(Sources: 1, 2, 3, 4)
b. Result in the loss of availability of a
locally-important mineral resource recovery
site delineated on a local general plan,
specific plan or other land use plan?
Discussion:
No Impact. The project site is located in the North San Rafael Commercial Center area and is not identified in the
General Plan as a mineral resource recovery site. There would be no impact.
(Sources: 1, 2, 3, 4)
Potentially
Significant
Impact
Less-Than-
Significant With
Mitigation
Incorporation
Less-Than-
Significant
Impact
No
Impact
Environmental Checklist Form 68 Kaiser Permanente: 1650 Los Gamos
Medical Office Building
XII. NOISE
Would the project:
a. Exposure of persons to or generation of noise
levels in excess of standards established in
the local general plan or noise ordinance, or
applicable standards of other agencies?
Discussion:
Potentially Significant Impact. The project is located at the intersection of Lucas Valley Road and Los Gamos
Drive in North San Rafael. Adjacent and surrounding properties include open spaces, residential housing and
office uses, including the Mont San Rafael neighborhood to the west and the Marin County Office of Emergency
Service at 1600 Los Gamos to the south. The undeveloped Oakview property is located north of Lucas Valley
Road, and Highway 101 is located east of the project site. The noise environment of the project site is dominated
by the traffic noise from Highway 101 and Lucas Valley Road. Additional technical assessment of the noise
environment would be evaluated based on the final Traffic Impact Analysis submitted by the project proponent as
part of the proposed project.
In addition to traffic related discussions, the proposed project would be evaluated for noise related impacts based
on temporary and operational impacts. Although construction methods have not been determined yet, excavation
work will be required and standard construction equipment, such as backhoe, drill rig, grader, cement trucks,
dump trucks, and hammering of nails for garage construction are assumed. During construction, noise impacts
due to construction activities would be required to meet the noise limits of the San Rafael Noise Ordinance (i.e.,
to be below 90 dBA property plane limit). The Noise Ordinance limits construction activities, including
demolition, alteration, maintenance of construction equipment, and deliveries of materials or equipment to the
site. Noise is limited to 90 dBA at any point outside the project site. Const ruction hours are limited to between
7:00 A.M. and 6:00 P.M. from Monday to Friday, and between 9:00 A.M. and 6:00 P.M on Saturday. The
proposed project would be required, as a condition of approval, to comply with the City’s Noise Ordinance at all
times.
This Initial Study provides a preliminary analysis to identify the impacts of the project upon noise considerations.
Because a comprehensive analysis of traffic, construction and operational activities has not yet been undertaken,
the proposed project may potentially result in noise impacts. This threshold will be discussed in the EIR for the
proposed project. The EIR will analyze potential mitigation measures, as well as potential temporary and
cumulative mitigation measures appropriate to reduce potential noise impacts to less than significant levels.
(Sources: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5)
b. Exposure of persons to or generation of
excessive ground borne vibration or ground
borne noise levels?
Discussion:
Potentially Significant Impact. See discussion in XII(a) above. Construction activities are anticipated to include
standard excavation equipment and methods for the development project including for placement of drilled piers
that may be necessary to provide structural support to the proposed parking garage during site excavation.
Potentially
Significant
Impact
Less-Than-
Significant With
Mitigation
Incorporation
Less-Than-
Significant
Impact
No
Impact
Environmental Checklist Form 69 Kaiser Permanente: 1650 Los Gamos
Medical Office Building
Evaluation of the construction activities has not been determined to involve excessive ground borne vibration or
ground borne noise levels. This threshold will be discussed in the EIR for the proposed project. The EIR will
analyze potential mitigation measures, as well as potential temporary and cumulative mitigation measures
appropriate to reduce potential noise impacts to less than significant levels.
(Sources: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5)
c. A substantial permanent increase in ambient
noise levels in the project vicinity above
levels existing without the project?
Discussion:
Potentially Significant Impact. See discussion in XII (a) above. Long term operations of the proposed project
are anticipated to function like typical office and/or medical office buildings uses. Activities and operations
would not include uses that would be expected to create substantial permanent increases in ambient noise levels.
However, with the change in use to medical office, peak hour vehicular access would be an increase over existing
conditions. Similarly, the construction of the parking garage creates an increase of on-site parking over existing
conditions
Because a comprehensive evaluation of the long-term operational activities of the proposed project has not yet
been undertaken, the proposed project may potentially result in a substantial and permanent increase in ambient
noise levels in the project vicinity. This threshold will be discussed in the EIR for the proposed project. The EIR
will analyze potential mitigation measures, as well as potential temporary and cumulative mitigation measures
appropriate to reduce potential noise impacts to less than significant levels.
(Sources: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5)
d. A substantial temporary or periodic increase
in ambient noise levels in the project vicinity
above levels existing without the project?
Discussion:
Potentially Significant Impact. See Response XII (a) and (b) above. Discussion of temporary construction noise
impacts and ongoing traffic impacts and potential recommended mitigation measures related to the proposed
project would be addressed in a EIR.
(Sources: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5)
e. For a project located within an airport land
use plan or, where such a plan has not been
adopted, within two miles of a public airport
or public use airport, would the project
expose people residing or working in the
Potentially
Significant
Impact
Less-Than-
Significant With
Mitigation
Incorporation
Less-Than-
Significant
Impact
No
Impact
Environmental Checklist Form 70 Kaiser Permanente: 1650 Los Gamos
Medical Office Building
project area to excessive noise levels?
Discussion:
No Impact. The project is located in the North San Rafael Commercial Center, near the Lucas Valley/Smith
Ranch Road intersection east of the Highway 101. There are no public airports near the project site, but the San
Rafael airport, a private airport, is located approximately one mile to the east of the project site but it does not
have an airport land use plan. Furthermore, the runway and flight patterns for the airport are directed in a
northeast/southwest alignment which directs air traffic away from the project site. There would be no impact.
(Sources: 1, 2, 3, 4)
f. For a project within the vicinity of a private
airstrip, would the project expose people
residing or working in the project area to
excessive noise levels?
Discussion:
Less Than Significant Impact. See Response XII (e) above. The project is located in the North San Rafael
Commercial Center and is approximately one mile west of the private San Rafael airstrip. However, the existing
office building would be reused to accommodate medical office use and would not include renovations that would
expand the current footprint. Furthermore, the project site is located directly adjacent and west of the Highway
101 freeway which dominates the noise setting for the project site. For these reasons, the impact would be
considered less than significant and no mitigation is required.
(Sources: 1, 2, 3, 4)
XIII. POPULATION AND HOUSING
Would the project:
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 or other infrastructure)?
Discussion:
Less Than Significant Impact. The proposed project includes amending an existing San Rafael PD zoning
designation to include medical office uses within the existing office building. A new parking structure and
signalized intersection would be required to accommodate the traffic associated with the higher intensity of use ,
from general office to medical office. On the Kaiser Permanante San Rafael Medical Center campus, at 99
Montecillo Road, over half of the buildings are between 39 to 55 years old. Most of the campus has functioned in
its current configuration since 1977. At the same time, medicine has significantly changed over the last fifty
years, including the need for larger physical space to accommodate today’s advancements in medical technology
such as MRIs and CT scanners, which were not part of the original campus design.
As a result, space on the campus is very constrained and the ability to enhance services or renovate clinical areas
is limited. To better serve the needs of the Kaiser Permanente members, as well as to make the existing medical
Potentially
Significant
Impact
Less-Than-
Significant With
Mitigation
Incorporation
Less-Than-
Significant
Impact
No
Impact
Environmental Checklist Form 71 Kaiser Permanente: 1650 Los Gamos
Medical Office Building
center less crowded, Kaiser Permanente Kaiser Permanente would be relocating some non-emergency services
and other outpatient services from the main Kaiser Hospital site located in Terra Linda at 99 Montecillo Road,
San Rafael to the proposed medical office location at 1650 Los Gamos Drive.
There would be approximately 315 employees working at 1650 Los Gamos Drive at full buildout. Many of these
employees, about 77%, or 245, would be relocated from existing Kaiser Permanente facilities in Marin County.
Approximately 170 of these relocated Marin employees would be relocated from the Kaiser Permanente Medical
Center in Terra Linda. Based on the DTIA, new signalization of the current unsignalized intersection at Los
Gamos Drive/Lucas Valley Road would be necessary for improving turning movements and reducing the overall
traffic congestion along Lucas Valley Road. This improvement is identified in the General Plan Circulation
Element, as a circulation improvement identified for build out of the General Plan , and this project triggers the
need for its installation.
The proposed project would continue to serve the existing member base and is not anticipated to facilitate growth
along Lucas Valley Road. For these reasons, the new medical office building would not substantially induce
population growth in the immediate area or within San Rafael. Therefore, the impact would be less than
significant and no mitigation is required.
(Sources: 1, 3, 4, 5, 13)
b. Displace substantial numbers of existing
housing, necessitating the construction of
replacement housing elsewhere?
Discussion:
No Impact. The proposed project involves amending an existing PD zoning designation to allow medical office
uses in an existing approximately 148,000 square foot office building. Proposed infrastructure improvements,
including a parking structure and a signalized intersection, would be necessary to lessen potential traffic impacts
but would be constructed in areas of previous disturbance. No housing would be impacted by the proposed
project. Therefore, there would be no impact, and no mitigation is required.
(Sources: 1, 3, 4, 5)
c. Displace substantial numbers of people,
necessitating the construction of replacement
housing elsewhere?
Discussion:
No Impact. See discussion in XIII (b) above. The proposed project includes the reuse of an existing building
comprised of general office uses to medical office space. No housing is proposed as part of the proposed project,
and development of the project would include utilizing existing developed areas on a site used for office and
related parking. Therefore, there would be no impact, and no mitigation is required.
(Sources: 1, 3, 4, 5)
Potentially
Significant
Impact
Less-Than-
Significant With
Mitigation
Incorporation
Less-Than-
Significant
Impact
No
Impact
Environmental Checklist Form 72 Kaiser Permanente: 1650 Los Gamos
Medical Office Building
XIV. PUBLIC SERVICES
Would the project 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:
a. Fire protection?
Discussion:
No Impact. The proposed project is considered an urban infill development on approximately 11acres. The
existing building is currently service by the San Rafael Fire Department Station #6 located approximately 1.25
miles to the southwest at 670 Del Ganado Road. A Marin County Fire Department, Station #58, is located
approximately ¾ of mile west of the site at 777 Miller Creek Road at Lucas Valley Road. The proposed project
would not be of a scale to require new or physically altered government facilities, nor would it impact the quality
of service, response times or other performance objectives for any of the public services. The San Rafael Fire
Department has reviewed the proposed project and did not comment on a need for additional services. For these
reasons, there would be no impact.
(Sources: 1, 3, 4, 13)
b. Police protection?
Discussion:
No Impact. The San Rafael Police Department currently provides police protection to the property. The SRPD
reviewed the proposed project and did not provide any comments regarding increased calls or additional services .
There would be no impact.
(Sources: 1, 3, 4, 13)
c. Schools?
Discussion:
Less Than Significant Impact. The project site is located in the North San Rafael Commercial Center is served
by the San Rafael Unified School District for high schools and Dixie School District for elementary and middle
schools. The proposed project includes the reuse of general office to medical office use in an existing office
building. No new construction would be required to convert the existing building to medial office uses.
Mitigation for impacts on schools is governed by Government Code Section 65995(h), which states that the
payment or satisfaction of a fee, charge, or other requirement levied or imposed pursuant to Section 17620 of the
Education Code is deemed to be full and complete mitigation of the impacts f or the planning, use, development,
or the provision of adequate school facilities. Likewise, Section 65996(b) states that the provisions of the
Government Code provide full and complete school facilities mitigation. The City collects school impact fees
Potentially
Significant
Impact
Less-Than-
Significant With
Mitigation
Incorporation
Less-Than-
Significant
Impact
No
Impact
Environmental Checklist Form 73 Kaiser Permanente: 1650 Los Gamos
Medical Office Building
prior to the issuance of building permits. As such, potential impacts are considered less than significant and no
mitigation is required.
(Sources: 1, 3, 4)
d. Parks?
Discussion:
Less Than Significant Impact. The proposed project does not include any residential units and would not result
in an increase in population or an increased demand for public services such as parks. Existing San Rafael City
parks and recreation facilities within close proximity to the project site in the North San Rafael area include Jerry
Russom Memorial Park to the west, Oleander, Terra Linda Park, and Munson Park to the south, and the YMCA is
located south of the project on Los Gamos Drive. Further to the east, is the McGuinness Park and Golf Club is
located along the Bay shoreline to the east of North San Rafael. Within the City of San Rafael corporate limits,
there are a total of 25 parks and three community centers.
As discussed in Section XIII(a) above, space on the campus is very constrained and the ability to enhance services
or renovate clinical areas is limited. To better serve the needs of the Kaiser Permanente members, as well as to
make the existing medical center less crowded, Kaiser Permanente K aiser Permanente, would be relocating some
non-emergency services and other outpatient services from the main Kaiser Hospital site located in Terra Linda at
99 Montecillo Road, San Rafael to the proposed medical office location at 1650 Los Gamos Drive.
There would be approximately 315 employees working at 1650 Los Gamos Drive at full buildout. Many of these
employees, about 77%, or 245, would be relocated from existing Kaiser Permanente facilities in Marin County.
Approximately 170 of these relocated Marin employees would be relocated from the Kaiser Permanente Medical
Center in Terra Linda. The relocation of services and departments would not be replaced at the current hospital
location; rather the vacated spaces would be assimilated by the existing hospital staff. Kaiser does not anticipate
creating new jobs or increasing the overall staff and/or services at the two locations. New uses at the project site
would be consistent with existing uses at the hospital, which is approximately one mile to the southeast. Access
and demand for existing parks in this area would not substantially increase over existing use patterns and would
not result in substantial adverse physical impacts. For these reasons, the impact would be considered less than
significant and no mitigation is required.
(Sources: 1, 3)
e. Other public facilities?
Discussion:
No Impact. Other public facilities near the proposed project include the new SMART rail station at the Marin
Civic Center. Most of the employees (77 percent) slated to work at the MOB at 1650 Los Gamos are current
employees at the main Terra Linda Hospital or other local Kaiser Permanente medical facilities. New uses at the
project site would be consistent with existing uses at the main hospital location which is approximately one mile
to the southeast. Access and demand for existing public facilities in this area would not substantially increase over
existing use patterns which would not result in substantial adverse physical impacts. For these reasons, the impact
would be considered less than significant impact and no mitigation is required.
(Sources: 1, 2, 3, 4)
Potentially
Significant
Impact
Less-Than-
Significant With
Mitigation
Incorporation
Less-Than-
Significant
Impact
No
Impact
Environmental Checklist Form 74 Kaiser Permanente: 1650 Los Gamos
Medical Office Building
XV. RECREATION
Would the project:
a. 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?
Discussion:
Less Than Significant Impact. See Response XIV(d) above. As discussed in Section XIII(a) and XIV (d) above,
space on the campus is very constrained and the ability to enhance services or renovate clinical areas is limited.
To better serve the needs of the Kaiser Permanente members, as well a s to make the existing medical center less
crowded, Kaiser Permanente Kaiser Permanente, would be relocating some non -emergency services and other
outpatient services from the main Kaiser Hospital site located in Terra Linda at 99 Montecillo Road, San Rafael to
the proposed medical office location at 1650 Los Gamos Drive.
There would be approximately 315 employees working at 1650 Los Gamos Drive at full buildout. Many of these
employees, about 77%, or 245, would be relocated from existing Kaiser Permanen te facilities in Marin County.
Approximately 170 of these relocated Marin employees would be relocated from the Kaiser Permanente Medical
Center in Terra Linda. The relocation of services and departments would not be replaced at the current hospital
location; rather the vacated spaces would be assimilated by the existing hospital staff. Kaiser does not anticipate
creating new jobs or increasing the overall staff and/or services at the two locations. As the proposed new MOB
is generally within the same area as the existing hospital and these offices would mainly be occupied by
employees of the current Terra Linda and downtown San Rafael locations, the potential increase in use would not
result in substantial physical deterioration of existing neighborhood, regional parks or other recreational facilities.
Therefore, the impact of the proposed project upon existing parks and recreation facilities would be less than
significant and no mitigation is required.
(Sources: 1, 2, 3, 4)
b. Include recreational facilities or require the
construction or expansion of recreational
facilities, which might have an adverse
physical effect on the environment?
Discussion:
No Impact. The proposed project includes the repurposing of an existing office building for use as medical
offices. As discussed in XV(a) above, the project would not create a significant adverse impact upon existing City
parks and recreational facilities, nor require construction or expansion of recreational facilities that might have an
adverse physical effect on the environment. There would be no impact.
(Sources: 1, 2, 3, 4)
Potentially
Significant
Impact
Less-Than-
Significant With
Mitigation
Incorporation
Less-Than-
Significant
Impact
No
Impact
Environmental Checklist Form 75 Kaiser Permanente: 1650 Los Gamos
Medical Office Building
XVI. TRANSPORTATION/TRAFFIC
Would the project:
a. Conflict with an applicable plan, ordinance
or policy establishing measures of
effectiveness for the performance of the
circulation system, taking into account all
modes of transportation including mass
transit and non-motorized travel and relevant
component of the circulation system,
including but not limited to intersections,
streets, highways, and freeways, pedestrian
and bicycle paths, and mass transit)?
Discussion:
Potentially Significant Impact. The project applicant contracted the services of Fehr & Peers to prepare the
DTIA for the proposed project. The DTIA analyzes the transportation impacts associated with the applicant’s
proposal to add medical office as an allowed use at the existing 1650 Los Gamos Drive office building. Although
not considered an environmental impact, the DTIA also included a parking analysis consistent with the City of
San Rafael parking requirements. Fehr & Peers determined that the proposed project is an infill development
because it does not require new construction on undeveloped land, as the existing office building will not be
expanded and the proposed parking structure will be located on the existing parking lot. The project site is located
in the City of San Rafael, just west of the US 101 / Lucas Valley Road interchange.
The following transportation and circulation significance criteria based on the CEQA Guidelines and the San
Rafael General Plan 2020 (City of San Rafael, 2004) are presented below.
The CEQA Guidelines specify that a project would have a significant traffic and circulation impact if it:
• Conflicts with an applicable plan, ordinance or policy establishing measures of effectiveness for the
performance of the circulation system, taking into account all modes of transportation including mass
transit and non-motorized travel and relevant components of the circulation system, including but not
limited to intersections, streets, highways and freeways, pedestrian and bicycle paths, and mass transit.
• Conflicts with an applicable congestion management program, including, but not limited to level of
service standards and travel demand measures, or other standards established by the county congestion
management agency for designated roads or highways.
• Results in a change in air traffic patterns, including either an increase in traffic levels or a change in
location that results in substantial safety risks
• Substantially increases hazards due to a design feature (e.g., sharp curves or dangerous intersections) or
incompatible uses (e.g., farm equipment).
• Conflicts with adopted policies, plans, or programs regarding public transit, bicycle, or pedestrian
facilities, or otherwise decrease the performance or safety of such facilities.
1.4.2.1 Signalized Intersections
Potentially
Significant
Impact
Less-Than-
Significant With
Mitigation
Incorporation
Less-Than-
Significant
Impact
No
Impact
Environmental Checklist Form 76 Kaiser Permanente: 1650 Los Gamos
Medical Office Building
The San Rafael General Plan 2020 includes traffic LOS standards for signalized intersections and arterials.
These criteria and interpretations consistent with the San Rafael General Plan 2020 Environmental Impact Report
(City of San Rafael, 2004), are presented below. The citywide LOS standard from the San Rafael General Plan
2020 is LOS D
The San Rafael General Plan 2020 defines the following as significant impacts:
• If a signalized intersection with baseline traffic volumes is operating at an acceptable LOS (LOS A, B, C,
or D) and deteriorates to an unacceptable operation with the addition of project traffic.
• If a signalized intersection with baseline traffic volumes is at an unacceptable LOS (LOS E or F) and
project traffic causes an increase in the delay of five seconds or more, the San Rafael General Plan 2020
states that signalized intersections along US 101 and Interstate 580 are exempt from LOS standards
because delay at these locations are affected by regional traffic and not significantly impacted by local
measures.
1.4.2.2 Unsignalized Intersections
The San Rafael General Plan 2020 does not provide significance thresholds for unsignalized intersections.
Therefore, this analysis utilizes the commonly accepted methodology provided in the Highway Capacity Manual
(2010) as documented by the Transportation Research Board. For the purposes of this analysis, a significant
impact at an unsignalized intersection would be identified based on the following:
• If an unsignalized intersection with baseline traffic volumes is operating at an acceptable LOS (LOS A, B,
C, D, or E) and deteriorates to an unacceptable operation (LOS F) with the addition of Project traffic; or
• If an unsignalized intersection with baseline traffic volumes is already operating at LOS F and Project
traffic causes an increase in the delay of five seconds or more.
1.4.2.3 Freeway
The San Rafael General Plan 2020 and Transportation Authority of Marin Congestion Management Plan (CMP)
do not provide significance thresholds for freeway segments. Therefore, this analysis utilizes the commonly
accepted methodology consistent with other traffic impact studies completed in the surrounding area. For the
purposes of this analysis, a significant impact at a freeway segment would be identified based on the following:
• If operations on US 101 deteriorate from LOS E or better under conditions without the project to LOS F
during the AM or PM peak hour; or
• If operations on US 101 operating at unacceptable LOS F under conditions without the project by causing
the freeway volume over capacity ratio (v/c) to increase by 0.01 or more (i.e. one percent of the freeway
segment capacity) during the AM or PM peak hour.
1.4.2.4 Bicycle/Pedestrian
The San Rafael General Plan 2020 includes the following goals for pedestrian and bicycle conditions:
Goal 16: Bikeways. It is the goal of San Rafael to have safe, convenient and attractive bikeways and amenities.
Goal 17: Pedestrian Paths. It is the goal of San Rafael to have safe, convenient and pleasurable pedestrian
amenities.
Consistent with these goals, bicycle/pedestrian impacts would be significant if the project:
Potentially
Significant
Impact
Less-Than-
Significant With
Mitigation
Incorporation
Less-Than-
Significant
Impact
No
Impact
Environmental Checklist Form 77 Kaiser Permanente: 1650 Los Gamos
Medical Office Building
• Caused a substantial inconvenience or substantial reduction in quality of service for users of existing
bicycle or pedestrian travel
• Substantially reduced bicycle or pedestrian access
• Substantially reduced safety for bicyclists or pedestrians
1.4.2.5 Transit
The San Rafael General Plan 2020 includes the following goals related to the transit network:
C-14 Transit Network. Encourage the continued development of a safe, efficient, and reliable regional and local
transit network to provide convenient alternatives to driving. Consistent with this goal, transit impacts would be
significant if the project:
• Induced substantial growth or concentration of population beyond the capacity of existing or planned
public transit facilities.
• Increased demand for public transit service to such a degree that accepted service standards are not
maintained.
• Reduced availability of public transit to users, or interfered with existing transit users.
1.4.2.6 Parking
While parking is not considered a parking an environmental impact, a parking analysis was completed for
information purposes. The San Rafael General Plan 2020 includes the following goal related to vehicle parking:
General Plan Goal 18: Adequate Parking. It is the goal of San Rafael to provide parking that is adequate and
accessible, with attention to good design.
The DTIA study analyzes expected transportation conditions with the proposed project condition in p lace under
Existing, Baseline, and Cumulative conditions. Fehr & Peers determined that the proposed project would result in
transportation impacts at several intersections. As such, the DTIA includes potential mitigation meas ures to
reduce the proposed project’s impacts to less than significant with mitigation incorporated, where feasible.
Potential mitigation measures include improving the Lucas Valley Road/Los Gamos Drive intersection, consistent
with the improvements identified in the San Rafael General Plan 2020, and a Transportation Demand
Management (TDM) program to reduce peak hour employee single-occupant vehicle trips.
This Initial Study provides a preliminary analysis to identify the impacts of the project upon traffic and
transportation considerations. Because a comprehensive analysis of traffic and parking has not yet been
completed, the proposed project may potentially result in significant traffic and transportation impacts. Based
upon this potential for significant impacts, preparation of an EIR is required to further evaluate the project. As
such, the preliminary evaluation of the DTIA recognizes that a full analysis, complete with revisions and updated
data and discussions, will be prepared as a Final TIA and will be included as part of the EIR process. Although,
the DTIA may be referenced in the EIR, the Final TIA would be the source document for the final analysis.
Therefore, the EIR will analyze potential mitigation measures, as well as potential temporary and cumulative
mitigation measures appropriate to reduce potential traffic and transportation impacts to less than significant
levels.
(Sources: 1, 3, 4, 5, 12)
b. Conflict with an applicable congestion
management program, including, but not
Potentially
Significant
Impact
Less-Than-
Significant With
Mitigation
Incorporation
Less-Than-
Significant
Impact
No
Impact
Environmental Checklist Form 78 Kaiser Permanente: 1650 Los Gamos
Medical Office Building
limited to level of service standards and
travel demand measures, or other standards
established by the county congestion
management agency for designated roads or
highways?
Discussion:
Potentially Significant Impact. See Response XVI (a) above. Intersection and freeway results will be
summarized in the EIR by Level of Service (LOS). LOS is a qualitative description of operations ranging from
LOS A, when the roadway facility has excess capacity and vehicles experience little or no delay, to LOS F, where
the volume of vehicles exceeds the capacity, resulting in long queues and excessive delays. Typically, LOS E
represents “at-capacity” conditions and LOS F represents “over-capacity” conditions. Intersection and freeway
LOS were established based on traffic analysis of the study intersections, conducted using a method documented
by the Transportation Research Board (TRB) in the 2010 Highway Capacity Manual (HCM).
The DTIA utilized traffic analysis software Synchro/SimTraffic 9.0 and was based on the City of San Rafael’s
existing traffic model. For purposes of modeling the entire network as a “system”, micro-simulation (SimTraffic)
was used. The primary difference between SimTraffic and HCM is that the HCM analyzes intersections in
isolation and does not include the effects of upstream or downstream intersections, which directly affect traffic
flow. SimTraffic provides measures of effectiveness that are consistent with the HCM such as movement delay
and weighted average delay. For signalized intersections, the LOS is based on the average delay experienced by
all vehicles passing through the intersection.
At unsignalized intersections, operations are defined by the average control delay per vehicle (measured in
seconds) for each stop-controlled movement. This incorporates delay associated with deceleration, acceleration,
stopping, and moving up in the queue. For side-street stop-controlled intersections, LOS is not defined for the
intersection as a whole. Instead, the average delay and associated LOS reported in this study is for the worst-case
controlled approach. For all-way stop-controlled intersections, the LOS is represented by the average control
delay for the whole intersection.
Similar to intersection, the operating characteristics of freeway basic, merge, and diverge segments are evaluated
using the concept of LOS. Freeway section LOS is based on vehicle density (passenger cars per lane per mile).
Subsequent EIR analyses will consider freeway ramp density using the methods described in Chapter 13 of the
HCM. The inputs to calculate freeway segment densities would be obtained through Caltrans data and field
observations.
The purpose of the freeway analysis is to determine the proposed project’s contribution to the available capacity
on the freeway; therefore, the Highway Capacity Software (HCS) was used to complete the analysis. HCS was
used because it applies the freeway methodologies in the HCM by accounting for the volume demand and
available capacity by segment. The HCS tool is a static model which does not account for downstream queues.
However, since the purpose of the analysis is to determine the proposed p roject’s contribution to the regional
network, and not to determine or mitigate existing bottlenecks or queues, the static model approach was the most
appropriate to account for the proposed project’s contribution. To supplement for existing queues as a result of
downstream bottlenecks, field observations were completed and included in analysis findings.
The VMT analysis forecasted the propose project employee VMT and compared them to future projected VMT
based on the regional transportation and land use model provided by the Metropolitan Transportation Commission
Potentially
Significant
Impact
Less-Than-
Significant With
Mitigation
Incorporation
Less-Than-
Significant
Impact
No
Impact
Environmental Checklist Form 79 Kaiser Permanente: 1650 Los Gamos
Medical Office Building
(MTC) and the Association of Bay Area Governments (ABAG). The proposed project will move employees from
existing compressed Kaiser facilities in Marin County, to the building at 1650 Los Gamos Drive. As such, the
proposed project is not expected to generate significant additional regional trips, rather, redistribute them to a new
location within the region. The VMT analysis is based on the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA)
Guidelines on VMT developed by the Governor’s Office of Planning and Research per SB 743 (Steinberg, 2013).
SB 743 mandates a change in the way that public agencies evaluate the transportation impacts of projects under
CEQA, away from LOS. The proposed changes to the CEQA Guidelines are not yet adopted; when they are,
VMT will be the new metric for transportation analysis.
The San Rafael General Plan 2020 proposes circulation or capital improvements deemed necessary to maintain
acceptable LOS standards and to improve the San Rafael circulation system, which are typically funded through
traffic mitigation fees. As noted above in XVI (a), the proposed project would result in a net increase of 161 net
new trips during the a.m. peak hour and 312 net new trips during the p.m. peak hour for a total of 473 peak hour
trips. As provided in General Plan 2020 Policy C-5 B, the City Traffic Engineer makes the determination whether
to apply LOS analysis for any development project. Presently, the Level of Service for intersections in the project
vicinity along Lucas Valley and Los Gamos are at or very close to LOS D. The project’s peak hour trips would
cause additional delays of up to 50 seconds at these impacted intersections.
The City Traffic Engineer has reviewed the project plans and the DTIA and recommends a condition of project
approval be required that the applicant pay traffic mitigation fee in the amount of $2,000,825 based on 473 net
new peak hour trips x traffic mitigation fee ($4,246) prior to issuance of a Building Permit. This traffic impact fee
would be credited to the applicant against proposed improvement or potential requirements for infrastructure
upgrades, including the construction of a signalized intersection at Los Gamos and Lucas Valley Road. In
addition, San Rafael DPW has an established construction vehicle impact fee that is required at the time of
building permit issuance; which would be calculated at 1% of the total project valuation, with the first $10,000 of
valuation exempt.
As the DTIA will be further evaluated by the City of San Rafael, potential c onflicts with applicable congestion
management programs, including, but not limited to level of service standards and travel demand measures have
not yet been identified and could remain significant and unavoidable. Based upon this initial review, preparation
of an EIR is required. The EIR will provide analysis of potential traffic impacts and potential cumulative impacts
and mitigation measures necessary to reduce potential impacts to less than significant levels. The EIR would also
address project alternatives to analyze this potentially significant adverse impact.
(Sources: 1, 2, 4, 5, 13)
c. Result in a change in air traffic patterns,
including either an increase in traffic levels
or a change in location that results in
substantial safety risks?
Discussion:
No Impact. The proposed project would have no impact on the location or frequency of air traffic patterns at local
private or regional-serving public airports due to its location. Although there is a private airport approximately
one mile to the east of the subject property, the proposed project would be a continuation of office related uses
and is consistent with the General Plan for development in this area. The existing building is not located within
the flight path of the airport and the conversion of medical office would not result in a change of air traffic
patterns.
Potentially
Significant
Impact
Less-Than-
Significant With
Mitigation
Incorporation
Less-Than-
Significant
Impact
No
Impact
Environmental Checklist Form 80 Kaiser Permanente: 1650 Los Gamos
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(Sources: 1, 3, 4, 5)
d. Substantially increase hazards due to a
design feature (e.g., sharp curves or
dangerous intersections) or incompatible
uses (e.g., farm equipment)?
Discussion:
Potentially Significant Impact. The proposed project is an urban infill development within the North San Rafael
Commercial Center and would be consistent with General Plan in terms of land use and intensity. The proposed
project includes modification of existing site access, eliminating the primary driveway off Los Gamos to the
existing surface parking lot and relocating it farther south for access to the new parking structure. The project
traffic study was evaluated by the City of San Rafael Department of Public Works for traffic and circulation
compliance with City standards, including potential conflicts to site distances, and found them to be acceptable.
However, the full analysis of proposed project improvements, including proposed signalized intersection at Los
Gamos and Lucas Valley Road have not yet been evaluated.
This Initial Study provides a preliminary analysis to identify the impacts of the project upon traffic and
transportation considerations. Because a comprehensive analysis of traffic and transportation considerations has
not yet been undertaken, the proposed project may potentially result in such impacts. This threshold will be
discussed in the EIR for the proposed project. The EIR will analyze potential mitigation measures, as well as
potential temporary and cumulative mitigation measures appropriate to reduce potential traffic and transportation
impacts to less than significant levels.
(Sources: 1, 3, 4, 5, 13)
e. Result in inadequate emergency access?
Discussion:
Less Than Significant Impact. The proposed project includes the reuse of an existing office building to
accommodate medical office uses. Access, parking and circulation patterns would remain largely unchanged for
the building. Across Los Gamos Drive, a parking structure would be constructed in an area previously used for
surface parking. The proposed ingress and egress, including required fire access and fire lanes surrounding the
parking structure, have been reviewed by City departments, including the San Rafael Fire Department. It has been
determined that the proposed project would have adequate emergency access. There would be no impact.
(Sources: 1, 3, 4, 5, 13)
f. Conflict with adopted policies, plans, or
programs regarding public transit, bicycle,
or pedestrian facilities, or otherwise decrease
the performance or safety of such facilities?
Discussion:
Potentially
Significant
Impact
Less-Than-
Significant With
Mitigation
Incorporation
Less-Than-
Significant
Impact
No
Impact
Environmental Checklist Form 81 Kaiser Permanente: 1650 Los Gamos
Medical Office Building
Potentially Significant Impact. Based on the DTIA, it is anticipated that the proposed project would include
construction of a signalized intersection at Los Gamos Drive and Lucas Valley Road, as well as a new three-story
parking structure west of the existing office building adjacent to Los Gamos Drive. Per the City’s adopted
Bicycle/Pedestrian Master Plan, which guides the City in the construction, upgrading and maintenance of the
citywide bicycle and pedestrian infrastructure system, there is a Class III bike lane along Los Gamos Drive
connecting Lucas Valley Road to Freitas Parkway to the south. Public transit is provided to the project area by
Golden Gate Transit (GGT); the nearest GGT stop is located adjacent to Highway 101 just east of the project site.
The project would be consistent with the City’s General Plan policies that encourage urban infill development
close to public transit services. The project site is located approximately 3.5 miles north of the San Rafael Transit
Center and approximately 1.3 miles north of the new SMART rail station at the Marin Civic Center.
However, the full analysis of proposed project improvements, including a proposed signalized intersection at Los
Gamos and Lucas Valley Road and the construction of the parking structure, have not been fully evaluated with
regards to bicycle and pedestrian facilities or public access plans, programs, and/or policies.
This Initial Study provides a preliminary analysis to identify the impacts of the project upon traffic and
transportation considerations. Because a comprehensive analysis of traffic and transportation considerations has
not yet been undertaken, the proposed project may potentially result in such impacts. This threshold will be
discussed in the EIR for the proposed project. The EIR will analyze potential mitigation measures, as well as
potential temporary and cumulative mitigation measures appropriate to reduce potential traffic and transportation
impacts to less than significant levels.
(Sources: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 13)
XVII. TRIBAL CULTURAL RESOURCES
Would the project cause a substantial adverse
change in the significance of a tribal cultural
resource, defined in Public Resources Code
section 21074 as either a site, feature, place,
cultural landscape that is Geographically
defined in terms of the size and scope of the
landscape, sacred place, or object with
cultural value to a California Native
American tribe, and that is:
a. Listed or eligible for listing in the
California Register of Historical
Resources, or in a local register of
historical resources as defined in Public
Resources Code section 5020.1(k), or
Potentially
Significant
Impact
Less-Than-
Significant With
Mitigation
Incorporation
Less-Than-
Significant
Impact
No
Impact
Environmental Checklist Form 82 Kaiser Permanente: 1650 Los Gamos
Medical Office Building
b. A resource determined by the lead agency, in
its discretion and supported by substantial
evidence, to be significant pursuant to criteria
set forth in Subdivision (c) of Public
Resources Code Section 5024.1. In applying
the criteria set forth in subdivision (c) of
Public Resource Code Section 5024.1, the lead
agency shall consider the significance of the
resource to a California Native American
tribe.
Discussion:
Less Than Significant Impact with Mitigation Incorporation. See Responses V (a), (b) and (c) above. The
proposed project analyzed by GANDA included a cultural resources investigation. The report includes an
archival and record search of the 24-acre subject parcel and a surrounding 0.25-mile radius, contact with the
Native American Heritage Commission (“NAHC”) and potential Native American stakeholders, and a field
inventory of the subject parcel that included an architectural review of standing buildings and structures t hat lie
within the proposed development area. The existing office building is less than 45 years old and was built in
1979.
Pursuant to AB 52, the scope of the evaluation at the project level should include consultation with Native
American representatives identified by the NAHC for areas outside of reservations, and with Tribal
representatives of federally recognized Tribes where projects are located near or within lands associated with
federally recognized Tribes. The consultation should be undertaken and be consistent with most recent guidance
provided by the Office of Planning and Research. The purpose of the consultation is to identify Tribal cultural
resources and ensure that such resources are taken into consideration in the planning process.
On March 17, 2016, a records search was conducted at the NWIC/CHRIS at Sonoma State University in Rohnert
Park, California by GANDA Archaeologist Robin Fies, M.A. (File No. 15 -1354). The NWIC is a repository of all
cultural resources site records, previously conducted cultural resources investigations, and historic information
concerning cultural resources for 18 counties, including Marin County. The purpose of this records search was to
compile information pertaining to the locations of previously recorded cultural resources and prior cultural
resources studies within a 0.5-mile radius of the ADI that inform the cultural resources sensitivity of the Project.
The following sources were consulted during the records search:
• NWIC base map: USGS 7.5-minute series topographic quadrangles of Novato, California (1980);
• Survey reports from previous cultural resources investigations and cultural resources site records to
identify recorded archaeological sites and built environmental resources (i.e, buildings, structures, and
objects) located within a 0.5-mile radius of the ADI; and
• California Office of Historic Preservation (OHP) sources, including the California Inventory of Historic
Resources (1976), California Archaeological Determinations of Eligibility (2012a), and the Historic
Properties Directory (2012b), which combines cultural resources listed as California Points of Historical
Interest and California Historical Landmarks and those that are listed in or determined eligible for listing
in the NRHP or the CRHR.
Potentially
Significant
Impact
Less-Than-
Significant With
Mitigation
Incorporation
Less-Than-
Significant
Impact
No
Impact
Environmental Checklist Form 83 Kaiser Permanente: 1650 Los Gamos
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The records search results indicate that two cultural resources investigations have been completed within or
directly adjacent to the ADI: Chavez 1979 and Darko 2014. Additionally, the records search indicated that eight
cultural resources investigations have been completed within a 0.25-mile radius of the ADI: Hastings 1975;
Melandry 1981; Chavez 1985; Flynn 1989; Woodward-Clyde Consultants 1991; Holman 1976; and Roop 1992a
and 1992b.
No cultural resources were identified within the project site or within a 0.25-mile radius of the project site;
however, three documented prehistoric archaeological sites (CA-MRN-138, 139, and 145) along Miller Creek are
within a 0.5-mile radius of the project site. The three prehistoric archaeological sites are listed below:
P-21-000163/CA-MRN-138: This prehistoric shellmound site is located approximately 0.42 mile north
of the ADI along the south bank of Miller Creek. Several artifacts have been identified in association with
the site including chert debitage and a small cobble pestle. This site was likely heavily impacted as a
result of historic and modern development (Riddell 1955a). This site has not been formally evaluated for
listing in the CRHR or the NRHP.
P-21-000164/CA-MRN-139: This prehistoric shellmound site is located approximately 0.49-mile
northwest of the ADI along the south bank of Miller Creek. Human burials have been identified in
association with the site in addition to chert debitage. This site was historically looted and was likely
heavily impacted through historic and modern development (Riddell 1955a). This site has not been
formally evaluated for listing in the CRHR or the NRHP.
P-21-000170/CA-MRN-145: This prehistoric shellmound site is located approximately 0.50 mile
northwest of the ADI along the north bank of Miller Creek (Nelson 1907). This site was likely
destroyed through historic and modern development and has not been formally evaluated for listing
in the CRHR or the NRHP.
Based on the results of the cultural resources investigation conducted for this proposed project, no tribal cultural
resources were identified within the project area. The NAHC was contacted by letter on March 16, 2016. A
search of the Sacred Lands File housed at the NAHC did not indicate the presence of any Native American
cultural resources in the vicinity of the Project. In the response dated April 5, 2016, the NAHC also provided a list
of individuals to contact from the FIGR) for further information regarding local knowledge of sacred lands.
Letters and associated maps were sent to individuals listed by the NAHC (Greg Sarris and Gene Buvelot) on April
27, 2017 as well as Buffy McQuillen, FIGR’s Tribal Heritage Preservation Officer (THPO). The THPO
contacted GANDA on May 18, 2017 to schedule a formal consultation but no meeting has been confirmed as of
the publication of this document.
Although construction of the proposed project would have no impact on known tribal cultural resources, there is a
possibility that previously unidentified resources and subsurface deposits are present within the project area. If
present, excavation, grading, and movement of heavy construction vehicles and equipment could expose, disturb
or damage any such previously unrecorded tribal cultural resources. Because the possibility of enco untering
archaeological resources during construction cannot be completely discounted, the impact related to the potential
disturbance or damage of previously undiscovered archaeological resources, if present, could be significant.
However, as the proposed project could have the potential to encounter unknown tribal cultural resources during
ground-disturbance activities, implementation of the following mitigation measures is required:
Potentially
Significant
Impact
Less-Than-
Significant With
Mitigation
Incorporation
Less-Than-
Significant
Impact
No
Impact
Environmental Checklist Form 84 Kaiser Permanente: 1650 Los Gamos
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MM TRIBAL-1: Implementation of the unanticipated discovery measures outlined in Section V(b) and (d)
above, address the potential discovery of previously unknown resources within the project area.
If significant tribal cultural resources are identified onsite, all work would stop immediately
within 50 feet of the resource(s) and the project applicant would comply with all relevant State
and City policies and procedures prescribed under PRC Section 21074.
Therefore, implementation of the above mitigation measure as well as implementation of mitigation measures
MM CULT-1 and MM CULT-2 will reduce the potential impact to less than significant levels and no further
mitigation is required.
(Sources: 1, 3, 4, 9, 21, 22)
XVIII. UTILITIES AND SERVICE SYSTEMS
Would the project:
a. Exceed wastewater treatment requirements
of the applicable Regional Water Quality
Control Board?
Discussion:
Less Than Significant Impact. The project site is within the North San Rafael Commercial Center which is
served by the Las Gallinas Valley Sanitation District (LGVSD), which provides sanitary sewer service to the
north San Rafael area. Wastewater is transmitted to the LGVSD treatment facility, located at 300 Smith Ranch
Road in San Rafael. The proposed medical office use would result in similar intensity of development at the
project site and would continue an existing use and service. Although the current occupancy of the existing
building is well below 50 percent, the proposed project anticipates occupancy rates consistent with historical
averages for the building. The LGVSD has reviewed the project, provided comments and will require that the
development project submit an Application for Allocation of Capacity and pay additional capacity fees prior to
submittal of a building permit. The proposed project would not conflict with the existing capacity of wastewater
delivery to LGVSD or the ability of the waste water treatment facility to treat the additional wastewater generated
by the project. For these reasons, the impact is considered less than significant and no mitigation is required.
(Sources: 1, 3, 4, 13)
b. Require or result in the construction of new
water or wastewater treatment facilities or
expansion of existing facilities, the
construction of which could cause significant
environmental effects?
Discussion:
Less Than Significant Impact. See discussion in XVIII(a), above. Local water service is currently provided by
Marin Municipal Water District (MMWD) to the project site for the existing office building. It its comment letter,
MMWD stated that providing water service to the new medical office building would not impair the District’s
ability to continue service to the property. However, MMWD has determined that the property’s current annual
water entitlement may be insufficient for the new uses (including the new parking structure) and the purchase of
Potentially
Significant
Impact
Less-Than-
Significant With
Mitigation
Incorporation
Less-Than-
Significant
Impact
No
Impact
Environmental Checklist Form 85 Kaiser Permanente: 1650 Los Gamos
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additional water entitlement may be required, as well as compliance with all indoor and outdoor requirements of
District Code Title 13 for water conservation.
The construction of the proposed parking structure would require realignment and reconstruction of a portion of a
6-inch sanitary sewer pipe currently running under the middle of the surface parking l ot. The proposed
realignment would direct sanitary sewer to the north of the proposed parking structure and then east to a
connection within Los Gamos Drive. The routing of the proposed sanitary sewer line would be located within the
limits of disturbance propose for the parking structure and would not require increase or excessive grading or
excavation to realign the pipe. The LGVSD has reviewed the proposed project and would require project design
plans for the proposed realignment including preparation of a quitclaim deed and new sewer easement for
recordation by the LGVSD. For the reasons, the impact is considered less than significant and no mitigation is
required.
(Sources: 4, 13, 16)
c. Require or result in the construction of new
storm water drainage facilities or expansion
of existing facilities, the construction of
which could cause significant environmental
effects?
Discussion:
Less Than Significant Impact. Proposed storm drainage design for the proposed project including assessment of
impacts upon existing facilities in the vicinity of the project site have been evaluated in a Preliminary Drainage
Analysis prepared by BKF Engineers. As discussed in Section IX, Hydrology and Water Quality, the construction
of new stormwater drainage facilities or expansion of existing facilities would not be required for the proposed
project, because the Project would not increase the amount of surface water runoff leaving the site. The project
will incorporate the use of bio-filtration areas onsite to limit the amount of surface water runoff from the site. The
application of this best management practice, as well as the application of the City’s standard conditions of
project approval, would result in an improved condition in comparison to the existing site conditions.
The San Rafael DPW has reviewed the proposed project plans and indicated that detailed project plans will be
required to accurately define square footage of existing impervious areas, as well as proposed creation or
replacement areas. In addition, San Rafael DPW will require that the proposed project detailed plans be
compliant with requirements for the MCSTOPPP for improved water quality and reduction of runoff impacts
compared to existing conditions. No new offsite storm drainage facilities or expansion of existing facilities would
be required as a result of project construction. Therefore, the impact would be considered less than significant and
no mitigation is required.
(Sources: 3, 4, 7, 16, 20)
d. Have sufficient water supplies available to
serve the project from existing entitlements
and resources, or are new or expanded
entitlements needed?
Discussion:
Potentially
Significant
Impact
Less-Than-
Significant With
Mitigation
Incorporation
Less-Than-
Significant
Impact
No
Impact
Environmental Checklist Form 86 Kaiser Permanente: 1650 Los Gamos
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Less Than Significant Impact. See discussion in XVIII (b) above. The MMWD prepared an Urban Water
Management Plan (UWMP) in 2010 and an update in 2015. Based upon the MMWD 2015 UWMP update,
adequate water supply is available for the proposed project. Based upon water demand projections, the UWMP
forecasts that the MMWD would serve an additional 49 acre-feet per year of water for commercial uses by the
year 2020. This is to serve a projected 251 additional commercial accounts by the year 2020. The D istrict’s
water conservation measures are expected to result in a drop of per capita water demand resulting in an overall
decrease in water use for commercial uses despite an increasing number of projected accounts by the year 2020.
The proposed 150,000 square feet of medical office use is within the project amounts of the UWMP.
The State of California has recently endured a period of extended drought that spanned water years 2012 through
2016, which included the driest four-year statewide precipitation on record (2012-2015) and the smallest Sierra-
Cascades snowpack on record (2015, with 5 percent of average). It was marked by extraordinary heat: 2014, 2015
and 2016 were California’s first, second and third warmest year in terms of statewide average temperatures.
The State responded to the emergency with actions and investments that also advanced the California Water
Action Plan, the Administration’s five-year blueprint for more reliable, resilient water systems to prepare for
climate change and population growth. To advance the priorities of the Water Action Plan and respond to drought,
the voters passed a comprehensive water bond, the Legislature appropriated and accelerated funding and state
agencies accelerated grants and loans to water projects.
California also enacted the historic Sustainable Groundwater Management Act, took action to improve
measurement and management of water, retrofitted tens of thousands of inefficient toilets, replaced lawns with
water-wise landscaping and provided safe drinking water to impacted communities.
However, on April 7, 2017, Governor Edmund G. Brown ended the drought state of emergency due to
unprecedented water conservation and plentiful winter rain and snow. Executive Order B-40-17 lifts the drought
emergency in all California counties except Fresno, Kings, Tulare and Tuolumne, where emergency drinking
water projects will continue to help address diminished groundwater supplies. The order also rescinds two
emergency proclamations from January and April 2014 and four drought-related executive orders issued in 2014
and 2015.
Executive Order B-40-17 builds on actions taken in Executive Order B-37-16, which remains in effect, to
continue making water conservation a way of life in California:
• The State Water Resources Control Board will maintain urban water use reporting requirements and
prohibitions on wasteful practices such as watering during or after rainfall, hosing off sidewalks and
irrigating ornamental turf on public street medians.
• The State will continue its work to coordinate a statewide response on the unprecedented bark beetle
outbreak in drought-stressed forests that has killed millions of trees across California.
Therefore, potential impacts to water supply are considered less than significant and no new or expanded
entitlements are needed.
(Sources: 3, 4, 13, 16, 17)
e. Result in a determination by the wastewater
treatment provider, which serves or may
Potentially
Significant
Impact
Less-Than-
Significant With
Mitigation
Incorporation
Less-Than-
Significant
Impact
No
Impact
Environmental Checklist Form 87 Kaiser Permanente: 1650 Los Gamos
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serve the project that it has adequate capacity
to serve the project’s projected demand in
addition to the provider’s existing
commitments?
Discussion:
Less Than Significant Impact. See discussion in XVII (a) and (b), above. The LGVSD would provide
wastewater services to the proposed project and has adequate facilities to accommodate the proposed use at the
project site. Waste water generation and impacts on the LGVSD have been addressed in the in the San Rafael
General Plan. The continuation of existing service to the project site would not result in impacts to the LGVSD
facility at Smith Ranch Road. The LGVSD has reviewed the project and provided comments, indicating that the
proposed project is required to submit an application for Allocation of Capacity as well as fees for sewer unit and
plumbing fixtures as required. Thus, no additional impacts to wastewater treatment capacity would result from
the proposed project and impacts would be considered less than significant.
(Sources: 1, 3, 4, 13, 16)
f. Be served by a landfill with sufficient
permitted capacity to accommodate the
project's solid waste disposal needs?
Discussion:
Less Than Significant Impact. Solid waste collected within the City of San Rafael is disposed of at the Redwood
Landfill. The Redwood Landfill is a fully permitted Class III disposal site located approximately five miles north
of the project site (3.5 miles north of the City of Novato), and is used for more than 95 percent of Marin County’s
solid waste disposal, including solid waste from the City of San Rafael. The Redwood Landfill site consists of
420 acres of which 222.5 acres are dedicated to waste disposal and the balance supports Composting, Recycling,
and Operations facilities as well as open space and a fresh water lagoon. The Redwood Landfill has a permitted
capacity of 19,100,000 cubic yards. Nearly one-half of the materials brought to the site are reused or recycled,
contributing to one-third of the recycling that occurs in Marin County. Redwood Landfill is permitted to accept
2,310 tons of material daily. The conversion of existing office space to medical office uses would not significantly
change the amount of solid waste generated within the City because the development would not significantly
change the number of people working and living within the City as planned in the City’s General Plan population
counts and would not significantly alter the amount of waste generated within the City. As the project would be
consistent with the existing General Plan, potential impacts are considered less than significant
(Sources: 1, 4, 19)
g. Comply with federal, state, and local statutes
and regulations related to solid waste?
Discussion:
Less Than Significant Impact. See discussion in XVII (f), above. Solid waste disposal services for the project
site would be handled by Marin Sanitary Service and the Redwood Landfill. Both entities are subject to the
California Integrated Waste Management Act to meet state waste diversion goals. Both entities offer recycling
services to minimize the solid waste that is deposited it the landfill. Marin Sanitary Service offers curbside
recycling and green waste composting. The Redwood Landfill recycles approximately 50 percent of the
Potentially
Significant
Impact
Less-Than-
Significant With
Mitigation
Incorporation
Less-Than-
Significant
Impact
No
Impact
Environmental Checklist Form 88 Kaiser Permanente: 1650 Los Gamos
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materials brought to the landfill site. The proposed project would be served by these entities and the existing
recycling and waste reduction programs which comply with the California Integrated Waste Management Act.
The Marin Hazardous and Solid Waste Joint Powers Authority (JPA) provides hazardous waste collection,
recycling, and disposal information to ensure compliance with state recycling mandates. The Marin Count y
Department of Public Works/Waste Management administers the JPA. The JPA comprises the cities and towns of
Belvedere, Corte Madera, Fairfax, Larkspur, Mill Valley, Novato, Ross, San Anselmo, San Rafael, Sausalito, and
Tiburon, and the County of Marin. The JPA’s purpose is to ensure Marin’s compliance with the California
Integrated Waste Management Act and its waste reduction mandates. The project would comply with the JPA
through the recycling and waste reduction services provided by Marin Sanitary Servic e and the Redwood
Landfill. Therefore, potential impacts are considered less than significant.
(Sources: 1, 4, 19)
XIX. MANDATORY FINDINGS OF SIGNIFICANCE
Would the project:
a. Does the project have the potential to
degrade the quality of the environment,
substantially reduce the habitat of a fish or
wildlife species, cause a fish or wildlife
population to drop below self-sustaining
levels, threaten to eliminate a plant or animal
community, reduce the number or restrict the
range of a rare or endangered plant or animal
or eliminate important examples of the major
periods of California history or prehistory?
Discussion:
Less Than Significant Impact with Mitigation Incorporation. The proposed project, with implementation of
the proposed mitigation measures, would not have the potential to degrade the quality of the environment,
substantially reduce the habitat of a fish or wildlife species, cause a fish or wildlife population to drop bel ow self-
sustaining levels, threaten to eliminate a plant or animal community, reduce the number or restrict the range of a
rare or endangered plant or animal or eliminate important examples of the major periods of California history or
prehistory. As discussed above, the proposed project would be located on areas of existing disturbance or
development. Where potential impacts to wildlife or plant communities would occur, proposed mitigation
measures in Section V. Biology would ensure that they would be re duce to less than significant levels. For these
reasons, the impact would be considered less than significant after mitigation incorporation and no further
mitigation would be required.
(Sources: 1-21)
b. Does the project have impacts that are
individually limited, but cumulatively
considerable? (“Cumulatively considerable”
means that the incremental effects of a
project are considerable when viewed in
Potentially
Significant
Impact
Less-Than-
Significant With
Mitigation
Incorporation
Less-Than-
Significant
Impact
No
Impact
Environmental Checklist Form 89 Kaiser Permanente: 1650 Los Gamos
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connection with the effects of past projects,
the effects of other current projects, and the
effects of probable future projects)?
Discussion:
Potentially Significant Impact. The project applicant has submitted a Draft Traffic Impact Analysis (DTIA) of
the proposed project that will be evaluated pursuant to CEQA and the City of San Rafael standards and
regulations. This Initial Study provides a preliminary analysis to identify the impacts of the project upon Air
Quality, Greenhouse Gas Emissions, Noise, and Traffic and Transportation considerations. Based upon this
initial review, preparation of an Environmental Impact Report (EIR) is required to understand the full evaluation
of these potential environmental impacts. The EIR will provide analysis of the potential traffic, construction, and
operational impacts and as a result would provide mitigation measures necessary to reduce potential cumulative
impacts to less than significant levels. The EIR would also address project alternatives to analyze potentially
significant cumulatively considerable adverse impacts.
(Sources: 1-21)
c. Does the project have environmental effects
which will cause substantial adverse effects
on human beings, either directly or
indirectly?
Discussion:
Potentially Significant Impact. See discussion above in XVIII (b), where potentially significant impacts on
human beings from noise and traffic and transportation are identified and recommended mitigation measures to
reduce these impacts to a less than significant level are identified.
(Sources: 1-21)
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SOURCE REFERENCES
The following is a list of references used in the preparation of this document. Unless attached herein, copies of all
reference reports, memorandums and letters are on file with the City of San Rafael Department of Community
Development. References to Publications prepared by Federal or State agencies may be found with the agency
responsible for providing such information.
1. City of San Rafael General Plan 2020, adopted November 2004; as amended through July 2016.
2. City of San Rafael General Zoning Ordinance, adopted September 1992; as amended May1996.
3. Marin County GIS; Marin Map; www.marinmap.org, accessed May 2017
4. Application Packet submitted by Kaiser Permanente, including site plan, architectural plans, landscape
plans, civil plans, and additional materials and exhibits.
5. Focused Traffic Impact Analysis for Medical Office Building, Fehr & Peers, November 29, 2016.
6. Geotechnical Engineering and Geologic Hazards Study, GEOSPHERE Consultants, INC., October 19,
2016
7. Hydrology and Water Quality, Los Gamos Medical Office Building CEQA Review, BKF Engineers,
February 10, 2017
8. Updated Phase I Environmental Site Assessment 1650 Los Gamos Drive and Adjacent West Parcel, San
Rafael, California 94903, STANTEC, February 22, 2016
9. Archaeological Resources Report for the Kaiser Permanente 1650 Los Gamos Medical Office Project,
San Rafael, Marin County, Ca; Garcia and Associates, May 2, 2017
10. Kaiser Permanente 1650 Los Gamos Drive Project, San Rafael, California – Biological Resources CEQA
Review, Garcia and Associates, May 17, 2017
11. Arborist Plan Review, Urban Forestry Associates, March 17, 2017.
12. City of San Rafael Greenhouse Gas Reduction Strategy Compliance Checklist
13. Inter-departmental and Agency Memoranda: 1) Public Works Department, May 14, 2017; 2) Fire
Prevention, March 15, 2017; Police Department, March 15, 2017; Las Galinas Valley Sanitation District,
March 14, 2017; Marin Municipal Water District; comment letter, Christopher Borjian, May 23, 2017
14. Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) Flood Insurance Rate Map (FIRM). Community Panel
No. 06041C0293E, effective March 16, 2016
15. Association of Bay Area Governments, Alquist-Priolo Earthquake Fault Zoning and Hazard Maps
16. MMWD 2010 Urban Water Management Plan
17. California Drought Portal, www.drought.ca.gov, accessed May 2017
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18. BAAQMD website: http://www.baaqmd.gov/
19. Redwood Landfill website: http://www.redwoodlandfill.wm.com/
20. MCSTOPP: http://www.marincounty.org/depts/pw/divisions/mcstoppp
21. City of San Rafael Archaeology Sensitivity Map, adopted October 2001.
22. PastFinder Archaeological Database, Archaeological Sensitivity Report, generated May 1, 2017
Environmental Checklist Form 92 Kaiser Permanente: 1650 Los Gamos
Medical Office Building
DETERMINATION FOR PROJECT
On the basis of this Initial Study and Environmental Checklist I find that the proposed project could have a
Potentially Significant Effect on the environment and an ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT REPORT will be
required.
Signature Date
Printed Name Title
REPORT AUTHORS AND CONSULTANTS
Sean Kennings, LAK Associates Contract Planner
Planning & Preservation for the
City of San Rafael, Community Development Department.