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. 

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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.

FREE 28 Months of Thunderous Pile-Driver “Hammer-Rap” for the Neighbors, Courtesy of PAMF

Get ready to party to agitating, pile driver, hammering noise, and lots of it! The Palo Alto Medical Foundation (PAMF) did not seem to bat an eye at imposing 28 months of loud, 6 day work-week, intense construction noise to their neighbors despite numerous comments and complaints from community members during the June 23, 2009 hearing.

Palo Alto Medical Foundation Giant Excavator Digging feet away from residential homes on Jarvis Court, Sunnyvale

Before the neighbors are told, “Tough luck, there are overriding considerations as to why you must expect over 2 years of construction noise exceeding the City of Sunnyvale Noise Standards,” CEQA requires there be a thorough analysis of alternatives that could reduce this significant adverse unavoidable environmental impact to a less than significant level.

And . . there wasn’t. This is so despite the numerous comments on the noise problem, noise mitigation or lack thereof.

Sunnyvale PAMF EIR Traffic Study A Morse Code to “The Boss”

The PAMF FEIR Traffic Analysis, apparently a Morse code to Sunnyvale Planning Officer Trudi Ryan, as well,  emails the Environmental Preparers David J Powers at the last-minute for HELP.

With only 4 DAYS until the June 23, 2009 Council Hearing, Ryan emails a request, “Karli and John, can you ask Fehr and Peers to provide an estimate of the percent of traffic on Bayview and Carroll that are associated with PAMF.”    

WHY Did The City of Sunnyvale REQUIRE PAMF to Prepare an EIR?

A Public Agency, or Lead Agency, determines whether a “project,” such as The Sunnyvale Palo Alto Medical Foundation (PAMF), under The California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA),  has potential for a direct physical change or a reasonably foreseeable indirect physical change in the environment.

CEQA is a statute that requires state and local agencies to identify the significant environmental impacts of their actions and to avoid or mitigate those impacts, if feasible.

The lead agency determines if an Environmental Impact Report (EIR) will be required.

The Lead Agency for the PAMF Project, coincidently, was the City of Sunnyvale Planning Staff: Principal Planner Gerri Caruso and Planning Officer Trudi Ryan. The Environmental Consultants and Planners were David J. Powers & Associates.

Shortly before the Commission/Council Vote on June 23, 2009, Sunnyvale Planner Steve Lynch replaced Principal Planner Gerri Caruso. On an email dated 4/13/2009, Caruso wrote that she was resigning to avoid the appearance of a conflict of interest. PAMF004718

It’s important to NOTE: If the responsible agency believes that the environmental analyses in the CEQA document is incorrect or inadequate, CEQA Guidelines section 15096(e)(1) provides that a responsible agency may “…take the issue to court within 30 days after the lead agency files a NOD, or within 180 days of the commitment to go ahead or approve the project where a NOD is not filed.”

The PAMF Project was approved during the June 8, 2009 City of Sunnyvale Commission Hearing. The PAMF Project and EIR was approved and certified during the June 23,2009 Sunnyvale Council Hearing.

Copies of the PAMF DEIR/FEIR are available at the City of Sunnyvale Library and Planning Dept for review.

“Center Bull Pen” Staff Seating Arrangement is a Strategic Art

It appears that careful, strategic seating arrangement is about as important and skillful as choosing the right jurors to win a trial.

Sunnyvale Planner Trudi Ryan writes to the Director of Community Development, Hanson Hom, discussing various center bull pen seating arrangement options for staff during both the Palo Alto Medical Foundation PAMF EIR, a subsidiary of Sutter Health, Project Commission and Council Hearings.

PAMF’s Bounteous Sunnyvale, CA Residential Purchases Planned for Waste/Storage

Wowowowow! PAMF was a high bidder for 448 Kenny Court! Palo Alto Medical Foundation, a subsidiary of Sutter Health, generously purchased this modest residential property for $1,250,000.00 on 11/13/2008 to be developed into a 3,250 s.f. Storage and Waste Management Area for PAMF in Sunnyvale!

To compare apples with apples, a similar home in the neighborhood~ 389 S Pastoria Ave, SOLD for $621,000 just one month prior! Now, that’s STEEP APPRECIATION !

PAMF pays $1.25M for 448 Kenny Court!

(Click on image to enlarge)