Air Quality / Greenhouse Gas

San Diego, California

RECON evaluated the potential air quality impacts associated with the proposed San Diego Fire­Rescue (SDFR) Air Operations (AirOps) Hangar Project located in the northeastern corner of the City of San Diego’s Montgomery-Gibbs Executive Airport in Kearny Mesa. The project included the design and construction of permanent helicopter hangars and support facilities. In addition to the compatibility of project construction with the nearest sensitive receptors, the potential for aircraft emissions to impact adjacent receivers from future helicopter activity was assessed in accordance with the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) significance criteria. The Aviation Environmental Design Tool (AEDT) was used to model the emissions from aircraft operations. Through the use of AEDT, RECON was able to document that the future helicopter operations at Montgomery Field would remain in compliance with all air quality regulations for aircraft.

Oceanside, California

RECON assisted the City of Oceanside with the environmental review of the replacement of the existing structurally deficient Coast Highway (Hill Street) Bridge over the San Luis Rey River. The project is funded by the federal-aid Highway Bridge Program (HBP) administered by the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) through the California Department of Transportation (Caltrans) Local Assistance Program. Therefore, the air quality analysis was prepared to address air emissions during the construction and operations of the project and the potential impacts to sensitive human receptors in the vicinity of the proposed project, in compliance with all local, state, and federal air quality regulations.

San Diego, California

RECON assisted with the preparation of an Addendum to the Barrio Logan Community Plan Update (CPU) Final Environmental Impact Report (FEIR). The CPU FEIR concluded that the CPU would result in significant air quality impacts related to air quality plans, criteria pollutant emissions, and health risks. The qualitative assessment of air quality impacts for the Addendum discussed how the project would result in an overall decrease in trip generation compared to what was analyzed in the FEIR and how the project would prohibit uses that would result in significant or hazardous emissions. The GHG analysis prepared for the CPU FEIR relied on a significance threshold based on a business-as-usual reduction in emissions that has since been challenged in the courts and is no longer in use. Therefore, the qualitative assess of GHG impacts in the Addendum discussed how the project would result in an overall decrease in trip generation compared to what was analyzed in the FEIR and would be consistent with the City of San Diego Climate Action Plan.

San Clemente, California

RECON prepared a Draft Program Environmental Impact Report (PEIR) for the City of San Clemente Sixth Cycle Housing Element for the 2021-2029 Planning Period, with Veronica Tam Associates preparing the Housing Element Update and City Place Planning preparing the Safety Element. The PEIR provided a creative approach to addressing the requirement for ministerial housing approvals in the City by incorporating a mitigation framework that directed the City to incorporate specific development standards into a zoning overlay that they intend to use for projects that would be approved with a ministerial process. The Housing Element Update evaluated potential future rezones needed to accommodate the Regional Housing Needs Assessment (RHNA) in compliance with state statutes for certification by the California Department of Housing and Community Development. The PEIR additionally evaluated an update to the Safety Element that incorporated policies addressing coastal resiliency, sea level rise, and wildfire planning.

Poway, California

RECON evaluated the potential local and regional air quality impacts associated with the proposed Maderas Hotel project located within the Old Coach Golf Estates Planned Community in Poway, California. The air quality analysis was done in support of the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) review for an amend to the Old Coach Golf Estates Planned Community Specific Plan to allow for the construction of up to a 240-room hotel within the golf course property. RECON evaluated project impacts associated with regional plans and emissions relative to ambient air quality strategies as well as impacts to sensitive receptors from localized emissions and odors. RECON concluded that project construction and operations emissions would not exceed the applicable emissions thresholds.

San Diego, California

RECON assessed the potential air quality impacts from construction and operation of the Headquarters Point project. The 10.3-acre project site is currently undeveloped and is surrounded by industrial park development and open space. The project site is located immediately adjacent to the Multi­-Habitat Planning Area (MHPA). The air quality analysis of impacts was conducted using all applicable federal and state Ambient Air Quality Standards (AAQS) and the documentation was prepared in accordance with the guidelines, policies, and standards established by the City of San Diego (City) and the San Diego Air Pollution Control District (SDAPCD). All work was done to support a Site Development Permit and a Coastal Development Permit to construct a 226,000-square-foot Research and Development use.