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HomeMy WebLinkAboutPLACENTIA AVENUE AND 15TH STREETSeptember 28, 1989 TO: Environmental Affairs Committee FROM: Public Works Department SUBJECT: Traffic Signal Installation Attached for the Committee's review and comment are drafts of the Notice of Determination, the E.I.R. Negative Declaration and the Environmental Fact Sheet for the traffic signal installation at Placentia Avenue and 15th Street and modifications at various intersections. The Public Works Department will supply the Committee with any additional information which may be required to make findings and recommendations. Irwin Miller Management Analyst IM:so Attachments CITY OF NEWPORT BEACH PUBLIC WORKS DEPARTMENT ENVIRONMENTAL REVIEW NOTICE OF DETERMINATION TRAFFIC SIGNAL INSTALLATION AT PLACENTIA AVENUE AND 16TH STREET AND MODIFICATIONS AT VARIOUS INTERSECTIONS A preliminary environmental review of the proposed project for the installation of a traffic signal at Placentia Avenue and 16th Street and modifications at various intersections has been performed. The review was conducted' in accordance with the requirements of the California Environmental Quality Act of 1970, the State "Guidelines for Implementation of the California Environmental Quality Act of 1970" and the City's "Policies and Procedures for Implementing the California Environmental Quality Act". The environmental statement has been reviewed and was approved by the City's Environmental Affairs Committee. As a result of the preliminary review, it has been determined that: 1. The project is approved. 2. The project will not have a significant effect on the environment. 3. An environmental impact report has not been prepared. A negative declaration has been prepared and is attached hereto. Benjamin B. Nolan Public Works Director BBN:JEB:bb 9-18-89 WP:A:NOTICE.ENV Attachment CITY OF NEWPORT BEACH PUBLIC WORKS DEPARTMENT ENVIRONMENTAL STATEMENT NEGATIVE DECLARATION PROJECT IDENTIFICATION TRAFFIC SIGNAL INSTALLATION AT PLACENTIA AVENUE AND 15TH STREET AND MODIFICATIONS AT VARIOUS INTERSECTIONS 1. LOCATION At the intersection of Placentia Avenue and 15th Street and at the traffic signals at Superior Avenue and Placentia Avenue, Superior Avenue and Hospital Road and Superior Avenue and Ticonderoga Street in the City of Newport Beach. 2. PROJECT DESCRIPTION The intersection will be signalized and safety lighting will be installed. 3. PURPOSE OF PROJECTS A traffic signal at Placentia Avenue/lbth Street will provide more orderly movement, reduce the number of right-angle collisions, and interrupt vehicular flow to provide safe crossing for pedestrians and vehicles. The other locations listed above will receive new traffic signal controllers, fire pre-emption devices and be interconnected to each other and the new master controller in City Hall. This will provide coordination of these signals and improve traffic flow. 4. DISCUSSION OF ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACTS The surrounding area encompasses numerous medical facilities, offices, and a large retail center. Pedestrian safety will be increased by providing separate phases for crossing Placentia Avenue or ibth Street. The addition of adequate safety lighting should improve nighttime visibility. The intersection of Placentia Avenue/16th Street is presently controlled by STOP signs on ibth Street. With traffic signal control, a reasonable percentage of vehicles should be able to pass through the intersection without stopping. This should be an environmental benefit since it would reduce the excessive exhaust emission and noise produced when vehicles accelerate from a stop. 5. BASIS FOR NEGATIVE DECLARATION Installation of a traffic signal at Placentia Avenue/15th Street will not: a. Displace any people. b. Have a negative impact on recreation lands. c. Have an effect on the pattern of behavior of wildlife species and wildlife breeding, nesting, or feeding grounds. d. Affect the air or water pollution problems of the area. e. Have an effect on the water table of the area. At Placentia Avenue/15th Street and in its vicinity, there exist street light poles. The addition of the poles required for the traffic signal and safety lighting will not appreciably change the appearance of the area. Physical and operational characteristics of the intersection will be improved, offering an overall benefit to the public without adverse effect on environment. WP:A:NEGDEC ENVIRONMENTAL CHECKLIST FORM I. Background 1. Name of Proponent C/TY OF n w,00gr 8E9 /) 2. Address and Phone Number of Proponent v, SO O AlEGul°o ,4.7- r,- t/D ,� Al le . 9 2 (0 .-.9 -17 e2 R' 3. Date of Checklist Submission G'%--/8•%/ 4. Agency Requiring Checklist 5. Title of -Project ' T0.'flc Trys*f(aftoh a'?' P/& &alto ,Que /157 ,T�• atia( inextz-Prcafftotls a. V&rtoKs J.-4eaeettdhs, II. Environmental- Impacts :it-E....4 • ,ti (Explanations of ail;,"yesk.and "maybe" answers. are required on attached sheets.),'` 1. Earth. Will the proposal result a. Unstable earth conditions•or'in'`• changes in,,geologic'substructures?., ' Disrupti'ons,'displacements•.:-. compaction or.oVercovering of the . Change.;im"•toptigraphy-or ground .. surfacerelief.,features?::,:i'•1,- .The destruction,`scovering• or.,;; modification'of,any unique geologic or, physical-features?,,' Any increase in wind or water erosion of soils,'either.on or off the site? f. Changes in '•deposition•or erosion of beach sands, or -changes in siltation, deposition or erosion which may modify. the channel of a river or stream or the bed of the ocean or any bay, inlet 'or -lake? YES MAYBE" NO YES MAYBE NO g. Exposure of people or property to geological hazards such as earth- quakes, landslides, mudslides, ground failure, or similar hazards? 2. Air. Will the proposal result in: a. Substantial air emissions or deterioration of ambient air quality? b. The creation of objectionable odors? c. Alteration of air movement, moisture or temperature, or any change in climate, either locally or regionally? 3. Water. Will the proposal result in: a. Changes in currents, or the course or• direction of water movements, in either marine or fresh waters? b. Changes in absorption rates, drainage patterns, or the rate and amount of surface runoff? ✓ ✓ c. Alterations to the course of flow of ✓ flood waters? d. Change in the amount of surface water in any water body? e. Discharge into surface waters or in any alteration of surface water quality, including but not limited to temperature, dissolved oxygen or turbidity? f. Alteration of the direction or rate of flow of ground waters? g. Change in the quantity of ground waters, either through direct addi- tions or withdrawals, or through interception of an aquifer by cuts or excavations? h. Substantial reduction in the amount of water otherwise available for public -water supplies? i. Exposure of people or property to water related hazards such as flooding or tidal waves? ✓ 4. Plant Life. Will the proposal result in: a. Change in the diversity of species, or number of any species of plants (including trees, shrubs, grass, crops, and aquatic plants)? b. Reduction of the numbers of any unique, rare or endangered species of plants? c. Introduction of new species of plants into an area, or in a barrier to the normal replenishment of existing species? d. Reduction in acreage of •any agricultural crop? • 5. •Animal Life. Will -the proposal result in:: • a.. Change in the diversity of species, or numbers of any species of animals (birds, land animals including reptiles, fish and shellfish, benthic organisms;-., or insects)? • b. Reduction of the numbers of any unique,, rare or endangered species of animals?, c. Introduction of new.species of animals into an area, or result in a barrier' to the migration or movement of animals?,:, d. .Deterioration to existing fish or.: •; • ,wildlife habitat? • 6. Noise.• .Wili.'the;proposal.resultrin: a: Increases -•in existing noise levels? b. Exposure of people•to severe noise; levels? 7. Light and Glare. Will the proposal produce,; new light or glare? 8. .Land Use: Will the proposal result in a.:,:., substantial alteration of the present or.' planned land use of an area? • YES MAYBE N0 9. Natural Resources. Will the proposal result in: a. Increase in the rate of use of any natural resources? b. Substantial depletion of any non- renewable natural resource? 10. Risk of Upset. Does the proposal involve a risk of an explosion or the release of hazardous substances (including, but not limited to, oil, pesticides, chemicals or radiation) in the event of an accident or upset conditions? 11. Population. Willthe proposal alter the location, distribution, density, or growth rate of the human population of an area? 12. Housing. Will the proposal affect existing housing, or create a demand for additional housing? 13. Transportation/Circulation. Will the proposal result in: a. Generation of substantial additional vehicular movement? b. Effects on existing parking facilities; or demand for new parking? c. Substantial impact upon existing transportation systems? d. Alterations to present patterns of circulation or movement of people and/or goods? e. -Alterations to waterborne, rail or air traffic? f. Increase in traffic hazardous to motor vehicles, bicyclists or pedestrians? 14. Public Services. Will the proposal have an effect upon, or result in a need for new or altered governmental services in any of the following areas; YES MAYBE NO ✓ • el YES MAYBE NO a. Fire protection? 1 b. Police protection? 1 c. Schools? d. Parks or otherrecreational facilities? e. Maintenance of public facilities, including roads? f. Other governmental services? - 15. Energy. Will the proposal result in: a. Use of substantial amounts of fuel or energy? b. Substantial increase in demand upon existing sources of energy, or require the development of new 'sources of energy? 16. Utilities. Will the proposal result in a need•for new systems, or substantial alterations to the following utilities: a. Power or natural gas? b. Communications ,systems? , c. Water? .: •.,, d. Sewer or septic ,tanks? e. .Storm water drainage? `Solid Waste„and,disposal?: 17., Human`'Health::.Will.the-proposal result Creation of any health hazard or potential health hazard (excluding mental health)? b. Exposure of people to potential health hazards? 18. Aesthetics.. Will the proposal result in the obstruction of•any scenic vista or view open to the public, or will•the proposal result in the creation of an aesthetically offensive site open to public view? a. e 19. Recreation. Will the proposal result in an impact upon the quality or quantity of••existing recreational opportunities? 20. Archeological/Historical. Will the proposal result in an alteration of a significant archeological• or historical site, structure, object or building? 21. Mandatory Findings of Significance. a. Does the project have the potential to degrade the quality of the environment, substantially reduce the habitat of a fish or wildlife species, cause a fish or wildlife population to drop below self-sustaining levels, threaten to eliminate a•plant or animal community, reduce the number or restrict the range of a rare or endangered plant or animal or eliminate important examples of the major periods of California history or prehistory? b. Does the project have the potential to achieve short-term, to the disadvantage of long-term, environmental goals? (A short-term impact on the environment is one which occurs in a relatively brief definitive period of time while long- term impacts•will endure well into the future.) c. Does the project have impacts which are individually limited, but cumu- latively considerable? (A project may impact on two•or more separate resources where the impact on each resource•is relatively small, but where the effect of the total of those impacts on the environment is significant.) d. Does the project have environmental effects which will cause substantial adverse effects on human beings, either directly or indirectly? YES — MAYBE NO