Arsenic, Vanadium and Petroleum Hydrocarbon Exceed Residential Levels in East Weddell Projects DEIR

It is inadvisable and unconscionable, at this time, to rezone the Sares Regis and Raintree Partners Sites, located at 520-592 E. Weddell Ave. and 610 – 630 E. Weddell Ave, Sunnyvale, from commercial to high density residential, given the existing contaminated soil conditions located in a Geological Liquefaction and FEMA Flood Hazard Zone Area that was not disclosed in the East Weddell Projects DEIR. Additionally, there has been limited notification and inadequate disclosure to the nearby residents to warn them of the following significant hazardous impacts. 

High-density housing unsuitable for West Weddell Projects

The East Weddell Projects Draft Environmental Impact Report (DEIR) has failed to include two critical, and common, CEQA Categories from this report to adequately describe the environmental setting of the Sares Regis and Raintree Sites affected by hazardous contaminants (520-592 E. Weddell Ave. and 610 – 630 E. Weddell Ave, Sunnyvale) that could potentially pose a significant threat to human health or the environment:

1. Geology and Soils
2. Hydrology and Water Quality

Additionally, the East Weddell Projects DEIR also fails to report that the State of California and the Santa Clara County map the East Weddell Projects is the Seismic Hazard Zones:

1. Liquefaction Hazard Zone
2. FEMA Special Flood Hazard Area (northwest project area close to/or in)

Since liquefaction can occur when loose, water saturated, fine-grained soils (such as sands and silt) are shaken during an earthquake, what is the impact of the hazardous ground contaminants and proper mitigation, if any? Soil can temporarily become liquid like and structures may settle unevenly. If present, these weak materials can fail during an earthquake and, unless proper precautions are taken during grading and construction, can cause damage to structures

E Weddell Seismic Hazard Zone Liquefaction and FEMA Flood Hazard

E Weddell Seismic Hazard Zone Liquefaction

California Public Resources Code Section 2696 requires the delineation and mapping of “Seismic Hazard Zones” in California. Affected cities and counties must regulate certain development projects within these zones. Construction or development including additions, on affected properties may be subject to the findings of a geological report prepared by a registered California geologist.

This illustration is a screen capture from a JCP Natural Hazards Report mapping Seismic Hazard liquefaction and FEMA Special Flood Hazard area at the Fair Oaks/101/East Weddell/Tasman location.

California Public Resources Code Section 2696 requires the delineation and mapping of “Seismic Hazard Zones” in California. Affected cities and counties must regulate certain development projects within these zones. Construction or development including additions,on affected properties may be subject to the findings of a geological report prepared by a registered California geologist.  Seismic Hazard Zones are regulatory zones that encompass areas prone to liquefaction (failure of water saturated soil) and earthquake induced landslides.

For extensive information about these zones, please visit http://www.conservation.ca.gov/cgs/shzp/SHMPrealdis.htm

on the internet.

Seismic Hazard Liquefaction and FEMA Flood Hazard Zones Omitted from East Weddell DEIR

Oh . . . oopsy! just a little omission from the East Weddell Projects Draft Environmental Impact Report (DEIR)  proposed for 670 apartments- not only is the ground contaminated with hazardous carcinogens, but the whole area is in a Seismic Hazard Liquefaction and FEMA Flood Hazard Zones conveniently omitted from  disclosure on the report.

Proposed Sunnyvale East Weddell Project Illustration EIR

You wonder how these big developmental projects get approved? It starts in the City of Sunnyvale Planning Department. In fact, the “lead agency” for the is the City Planning Staff, so they get to decide how to direct the EIR report.

The lead agency must analyze project impacts to 18 different environmental resource factors detailed in Appendix G during their CEQA review, yet some very important items have been omitted by direction of the City of Sunnyvale Staff.

The East Weddell Projects DEIR identifies hazardous contaminants – Arsenic, VOC, tetrachloroethylene (PCE), vanadium, groundwater containing petroleum hydrocarbons in the diesel and motor oil, to name a few, which place residents at high risk for adverse health known to cause cancer. Analog Devices, at 610 East Weddell Drive, was listed as a registered hazardous waste generator and identified as responsible for the release of 100 gallons of liquid hydrogen during an incident in 2006. The failure to disclosure liquefaction and FEMA Flood Hazard Zone proximity is a disservice to the Sunnyvale residents and this report.

Since liquefaction can occur when loose, water saturated, fine-grained soils (such as sands and silt) are shaken during an earthquake, what is the impact of the hazardous ground contaminants and proper mitigation, if any? Soil can temporarily become liquid like and structures may settle unevenly. If present, these weak materials can fail during an earthquake and, unless proper precautions are taken during grading and construction, can cause damage to structures.

Concerned Citizens – comments received until Oct 23rd. Please email your comments to Sunnyvale Planner Trudi Ryan tryan@sunnyvale.ca.gov, Community Director Hanson Hom at hhom@sunnyvale.ca.gov, Ryan Kuchenig rkuchenig@sunnyvale.ca.gov, Heidi Kirk hkirk@sunnyvale.ca.gov

And if you would like a Natural Hazards Report of these natural hazards conditions, please email eyesunnyvale@gmail.com and we will forward to you.

E Weddell and Tasman Crossing – Way too much development

Courtesy  Gina Senzatimore

I am a Sunnyvale resident concerned and outraged over the high-density housing, tall buildings and overdevelopment throughout our city, and especially in north Sunnyvale. The proposed East Weddell Project, currently zoned commercial, is intense enough to require an Environmental Impact Report EIR and is in process.

This Project proposes 670 apartments, on contaminated soil at 610 East Weddell (formerly Analog Devices) with an application for a general plan and zoning change. It’s  already a traffic nightmare here.

Sunnyvale officials seek public input for apartment projects on E. Weddell Drive

Courtesy Alia Wilson Sunnyvale Sun

The public review period for the draft environmental report for two expansive apartment projects on E. Weddell Drive is open now through Oct. 23.

The projects on 520-592 E. Weddell Drive and 610-630 E. Weddell Drive will bring 465 units and 205 units, respectively, to the area near the N. Fair Oaks Avenue and Highway 101 intersection.

CLICK HERE for the full article.