Freedom Circle Focus Area and Greystar General Plan Amendment DEIR

The project activities involve the implementation of a Remedial Action Plan (RAP) for the Freedom Circle project (project). Shallow soil at the approximately 13.3-acre site (site), comprised of two parcels, contains concentrations of metals and organochlorine pesticides above health-risk based regulatory screening criteria for residential land use. The primary contaminants of potential concern have been identified as arsenic, lead, and dieldrin in shallow soil (less than 5 feet below ground surface). The cleanup of the site will consist of excavation and offsite disposal of approximately 100,000 cubic yards of contaminated soil. The Freedom Circle Focus Area Plan / Greystar Project General Plan Amendment Environmental Impact Report (EIR) was certified by the City of Santa Clara on June 7, 2022. The Final EIR analyzed the redevelopment of the Freedom Circle project site to be developed with three multifamily residential buildings and a public park. The Final EIR concluded that a significant unavoidable impact could occur related to construction emissions that could exceed applicable BAAQMD thresholds and generate a cumulatively considerable net increase in criteria air pollutants for which the region is in non-attainment. DTSC concluded that the project activities could contribute to this significant unavoidable impact. However, the environmental benefits of the project (cleanup of the site) outweigh the unavoidable adverse environmental effects (CEQA Guidelines Section 15193). Therefore, DTSC is relying on the City’s Statement of Overriding Considerations adopted for the Final EIR. DTSC utilized information and analysis in the Final EIR to support a final determination about the type of environmental document required to be prepared for the RAP, as provided by Sections 15162, 15163, and 15164 of the CEQA Guidelines. An Addendum has been prepared which considered the environmental impacts that were analyzed in the Final EIR. The Addendum focuses on determining whether the project activities associated with the RAP would result in an increase in the severity of the impacts that were previously identified or would result in any new impacts not previously considered in the EIR.