Laserfiche WebLink
significant impact. Although widening the subject ramps to include an additional lane <br /> would alleviate the substandard operating conditions,both without and with the Project it <br /> is uncertain that these types of interchange modifications would be implemented, since <br /> no transportation plan currently includes such improvements. Therefore, the County <br /> considers such mitigation to be infeasible, and this impact is considered cumulatively <br /> considerable and unavoidable. <br /> Notably, the Project would increase traffic density by at most only 0.5 passenger cars per mile <br /> per lane from existing conditions, and by at most 0.4 passenger cars per mile per lane on the <br /> ramp junctions that would experience LOS D, which would not be anticipated to result in a <br /> noticeable effect to the facility operations. Nevertheless, since Project traffic would increase the <br /> density at ramp junctions that already experience unacceptable LOS, the County conservatively <br /> considered this impact is impact to be significant and unavoidable for both existing and <br /> cumulative conditions. <br /> B. OVERRIDING CONSIDERATIONS <br /> In the Board of Supervisor's judgment, the Project and its benefits outweigh its unavoidable <br /> significant effects. The following statement identifies the specific reasons why, in the Board's <br /> judgment, the benefits of the Project as approved outweigh its unavoidable significant effects_ <br /> Any one of these reasons is sufficient to justify approval of the Project. Thus, even if a court <br /> were to conclude that not every reason is supported by substantial evidence, the Board of <br /> Supervisors would stand by its determination that each individual reason is sufficient. The <br /> substantial evidence supporting the various benefits can be found in the preceding findings, <br /> which are incorporated by reference into this section (IX), and in the documents found in the <br /> Record of Proceedings, as defined in section IV. <br /> 1) The Project Will Utilize an Undeveloped area of the County, Consistent with Current Land <br /> Use Policies. The project site has been approved for commercial development and will develop <br /> a currently underutilized site with major potential as a tax-generating commercial area due to its <br /> proximity to, and visibility from, Interstate 5 and State Route 12. The Project will improve this <br /> site with economically beneficial uses and improved vehicular circulation in the area. <br /> 2) The Project Will Create New Employment Opportunities For Local Residents. The Project <br /> will also have a positive impact on job creation in the County. The Project will generate diversity <br /> in employment opportunities, including temporary construction jobs as well as permanent full- <br /> time and part-time jobs. These jobs will come at a time when many people, especially central <br /> valley residents, have been affected by the downturn in the economy and lack of employment <br /> opportunities. San Joaquin County's unemployment rate is currently over 15%. Consequently, <br /> the County and its residents will enjoy the economic and social benefits from added employment <br /> opportunities offered by the Project. <br /> A technical memorandum submitted by the consulting firm Economic & Planning Systems, Inc. <br /> ("EPS") supports this finding. The memorandum provides information regarding the economic <br /> and revenue impacts generated by the proposed Project. <br /> Love's Travel Stops Project 25 Findings of Fact and <br /> Statement of Overriding Considerations <br />