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Home My WebLink About18 - Appeal of Planning Commission's Approval of Minor Changes to Coastal Development Permit No. PA2024-0140 - PowerPoint0r4( 4 A gr • FIRE STATION NO.1 AND BALBOA BRANCH LIBRARY LANDSCAPE CHANGES APPEAL (PA2025-0130) STAFF APPROVAL City Council, Public Hearing October 28, 2025 Laura Rodriguez, Assistant Planner 949-644-3216, Irodriguez@newportbeachca.gov J 1�111ZM■[�I�1�\�[� k...PR4W ICKGROUN i • September 24, 2024: Coastal Development Permit (CDP)No. PA2024-0140 approved by City Council • October 24, 2024: CDP appealed to California Coastal Commission. Appeal expressed concerns about the removal of the Blue Gum Eucalyptus tree • July 3, 2025: Community Development Director approved Staff Approval for minor changes to CDP No. PA2024-0140 • September 18, 2025: Planning Commission upheld the Director's decision and approved Staff Approval 9 October 28, 2025, City Council Hearing N IMM 0, Originally Approved GDP Landscape Plan E Bay Ave California PO�T Sycamores OR n CqG/FORN�P Catalina 16A Ironwood 9 Revised CDP Landscape Plan �i E Bay Ave R y i Western Sycamores HE MM SUZU Fm$TATMi UWWWrf I o Sweetshade El CO) Australian Willow 4 •Environmentally Sensitive Habitat Area (ESHA) • Dudek Memo August 14, 2025 • Blue Heron not federally protected or endangered • Site is not considered ESHA • Blue Gum Eucalyptus is not ESHA: • Non-native; not a rare species • No special role in ecosystem The site and the tree removal would not be creating an environmental impact • CEQA Clearance • Class 2 (Replacement and Reconstruction) is appropriate AhWA W1 WPM: • Recreation and Natural Resource Element • Tree removal is not prohibited under this Element • Not an environmentally sensitive area per Element •Claim of underground spring is No evidence to suggest the property carries an underground spring • Soils report indicated groundwater was found below existing surface. PH levels of the soils corrosive and subject to seawater exposure. 6 feet is QUESTIONS AND DISCUSSION Laura Rodriguez, Assistant Planner 949-644-3216, Irodriguez@newportbeachca.gov *Project improves landscaping for nesting birds •Dudek Memo May 5, 2025: • Evaluated revised landscape plan • Recommended Western Sycamore • Existing trees around property support nesting birds •Dudek Memo August 14, 2025 —Great Blue Heron Protection Status: •Migratory Bird Treaty Act (MBTA) • Not federally protected • Not threatened or endangered bird species; secure SEW POST o� @� species e Cq</ FO RNP U�111►1! Approved the removal of two diseased Special City Landmark Trees —Blue Gum Eucalyptus and Canary Island Date Palm Tree 441 U* Denied Appeal and Approved Coastal Development Permit (CDP) for the construction of Fire Station No.1 and Balboa Branch Library PROJECT BACKGROUND City Council Action Appealed to California Coastal Commissioij(CC City and CCC Staff collaboration 0 taff Ap p rov Appealed to Planning Commission 10,900 square feet • 33 feet 6 inches tall tj-� • 3,675 square foot green space • 1,500 square foot playground Q�EWPp�T Staff Approval does not involve these project components u � s CqG/FORNP ES APP c anary Island Date Palm Tree R REMOVAL 4b Ave Af �_ 417 Wq4G 4WJ •Improves landscaping to better support nesting birds •Collaboration with Coastal Commission Staff •Dudek Memo May 5, 2025: • Evaluated revised landscape plan • Reaffirmed Western Sycamore tree replacement • Existing trees around property support nesting birds � SEW PAR e� Cql FOR ON KKOI MA I MA 100 � "w,11 110 • Determine the landscape changes are in substantial conformance with CDP No.PA2024- 0140 and adopt Resolution No. PC2025-021 to deny the appeal and affirm the Community Development Director's approval of Staff Approval No. PA2025-0130 •Submit Notice of Final Action of Staff Approval to Coastal Commission which will supplement review of their pending CDP appeal *I I =64ks MMIMMS Q�EWPp�T CqG/FORN�P 15 O'l I J 1] 2 FAM M 12 M [On M F� • Consideration of nesting birds • Analyzed the revised landscape plan • Western sycamore tree species recommended due: • to its ecological value • Structural suitability • Compatibility with southern CA climate • Existing Trees nearby that help minimize disruption: • Mature eucalyptus trees located at the intersection of Island and West Bay Ave • Hoop Pine tree in the southeast median of the property • Minimal disruption to the nesting cycle during the Project's reconstruction m1=:aml= m iojwA i tei i ns a rA • Great Blue Heron • Protected under Migratory Bird Treaty Act while actively nesting (rookeries are not protected) • Not protected under Federal Endangered Species Act (FESA) • Not considered an endangered species and is considered to be a secure species; therefore not considered to be an ESHA • Blue Gum Eucalyptus Tree • Non-native or rare species • No special role in an ecosystem