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HomeMy WebLinkAboutTustin Avenue and West Coast HighwayTO: FROM: SUBJECT: Environmental Affairs Committee Public Works Department Rocky Point Retaining Wall Attached for the Committee's Notice of Determination, the Environmental Fact Sheet for The Public Works Department additional information which recommendations. Irwin Miller Management Analyst IM:kc Attachments February 23, 1990 review and comment are drafts of the E.I.R. Negative Declaration and the the subject project. will supply the Committee with any may be required to make findings and RECEIVED BY PLANNING DEPARTMENT CITY OF NEWPORT BEACH FEB 27 1990 AM PM 7j8j9j10i11j1211i2i314s516 ENVIRONMENTAL REVIEW --NOTICE OF DETERMINATION BY CITY OF NEWPORT BEACH PUBLIC WORKS DEPARTMENT ROCKY POINT RETAINING WALL A preliminary environmental review of the project for Rocky Point Retaining Wall has been preformed. 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 th 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. axe Benjamin B. Nolan Public Works Director IM:kc 2-23-90 ROCKY POINT RETAINING WALL NEGATIVE DECLARATION By City of Newport Beach Public Works Department 1. Project Location: The proposed wall and street improvements are located along the northerly side of West Coast Highway between mileposts 19.10 and 19.15, approximately 1/4 mile southeasterly of the Tustin Avenue intersection with West Coast Highway in the City of Newport Beach. 2. Project Description: Approximately 1300 cubic yards of weathered natural earth will be excavated from Rocky Point bluff to permit construction of street improvements. Approximately 300 linear feet of curb, gutter, sidewalk and street pavement will be built to fill in the gap between the existing street improvements. The sidewalk width will be 6 feet and the extra street pavement width will average 8 feet. A reinforced concrete retaining wall will be built to support the excavated bluff. The 300-foot long wall will vary in exposed face height to 15 feet. A 2-foot wide gutter drain and a barrier will be built along the back side of the top of wall to channel hillside runoff to the street and to provide for personal safety, respectively. The front face of the wall will contain some yet -to -be -determined architectural treatment. The wall will be built within a wall easement outside of State right-of-way. 3. Project Goals: This project will fill in the last section of street improvements along the northerly side of West Coast Highway between Newport Boulevard and the easterly City boundary. We may anticipate an overall increase in bicycle and pedestrian traffic use and safety along the route. The location of the retaining wall will permit the construction of Master Plan West Coast Highway improvements at some future date. The architectural treatment is intended to diminish the perceived size of the wall and to render a more aesthetic appearance of the structure. 4. Effect on the Environment: There will be no significant long-term irreversible or irretrievable effects on the environment. There will be minimal, acceptable short-term disturbances caused by construction activity. 5. Basis for Negative Declaration: This project is consistent with the General Plan of the City of Newport Beach and will not have a significant effect on the environment. 6. Initial study: The Public Works Department of the City of Newport Beach has prepared this Negative Declaration and its Initial Study in accordance with Articles 6 and 5, respectively, of Chapter 3, Guidelines for Implementation of the California Environmental Oualitv Act. Copies of the Initial Study may be obtained from the Public Works Department during normal business hours. 2 -9- 9ij Benjami B. Nolan Date Public Works Director ROCK POINT RETAINING WALL INITIAL STUDY By City of Newport Beach Public Works Department A. Conformance with the General Plan: This project is consistent with public transportation objectives as established in the General Plan of the City of Newport Beach. Although the Circulation Element specifies a 112-foot minimum right-of-way along West Coast Highway from Newport Boulevard to Dover Drive, the Rocky Point reach is limited to a 100-foot right-of-way width plus a 10-foot wide wall easement. This limitation is dictated by the presence of Rocky Point bluff, which must be cut and retained by expensive walls ranging to 15-foot height. Nevertheless, the right-of- way and wall easement widths adjacent to Rocky Point will provide for the ultimate improvements as prescribed in the Circulation Element.• B. Environmental Checklist Form: An Environmental Checklist Form has been completed as a portion of this study. The following statements, referenced to questions presented on the checklist, explain all "yes" and "maybe" answers: II.1.b.& c. Approximately 1300 cubic yards of the natural, weathered bluff known as "Rocky Point" will be excavated such that street improvements may be constructed along the northerly side of West Coast Highway. The subgrade will be compacted prior to construction of the 300-foot length of sidewalk, curb, gutter and street pavement. The sidewalk width will be 6 feet, and the street pavement width will average 8 feet. A reinforced concrete retaining wall will be built to support the excavated bluff. The wall will vary in exposed face height to 15 feet. A 2-foot wide gutter will be built along back side of the top of wall to convey drainage water along the wall to locations where the water may be channeled to the street. A barrier will also be built along the back side of top of wall as a personal safety feature. Page 2 The front face of the 300-foot long by 15-foot maximum height wall will contain some yet -to -be -determined architectural treatment. This treatment is intended to diminish the perceived size of the wall and to render a more aesthetic appearance of the structure. II.3.b. The sidewalk and pavement construction will reduce absorption and increase the rate and amount of surface run-off from the area. II.13.d. The construction will provide for safer circulation along the northerly side of West Coast Highway at Rocky Point, where no sidewalk presently exists. The construction should result in an overall increase in bicycle and pedestrian traffic use and safety along West Coast Highway right-of-way. II.18. The wall construction, with approximately 4000 square feet of front face, will include some yet -to -be - determined architectural treatment. This treatment is intended to diminish the perceived size of the wall and to render a more aesthetic appearance of the wall. 4 ENVIRONMENTAL CHECKLIST FORM I. Background ,,1., 1. Name of Proponent City are Wasted* Vestal'! 2. Address and Phone Number of Proponent ltt.O W*)port gavel. Neusptrr r 10eark, CA QGiete3, a#tw !„1 x?a%brr (7,4) 6744.3Ois 3. Date of Checklist Submission Cribber 2' AB? 4. Agency Requiring Checklist GNI ofNeater*Gil 5. Title of Project Rocky Mitre ts'hxitjirr9 11)421 II. Environmental Impacts (Explanations of all "yes" and "maybe" answers are required on attached sheets.) YES ' MAYBE NO 1. Earth. Will the proposal result in: a. Unstable earth conditions or in changes in geologic substructures? b. Disruptions, displacements, compaction or overcovering of the soil? _ CL c. Change in topography or ground surface relief features? d. The destruction, covering or modification of any unique geologic or physical features? e. Any increase in wind or water erosion of soils, either on or off the site? }S 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? PC YES MAYBE N0 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? K x c. Alterations to the course of flow of flood waters? d. Change in the amount of surface water in any water body? K e. Discharge into surface waters or in any alteration of surface water quality, including but not limited to temperature, dissolved oxygen or turbidity? X 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? X i. Exposure of people or property to water related hazards such as flooding or tidal waves? X YES MAYBE NO 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 X 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? X 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? K 6. Noise. Will the proposal result in: a. Increases in existing noise levels? X b.' Exposure of people to severe noise X levels? --- 7. Light and Glare. Will the proposal produce X new light or glare? 8. Land Use. Will the proposal result in a substantial alteration of the present or X planned land use of an area? . • 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. Will the proposal alter the location, distribution, density, or growth rate of the human population of an area? 12. Housing9. 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? 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; f. YES MAYBE NO X • 4 1 • YES MAYBE NO a. Fire protection? X b. Police protection? X c. Schools? K d. Parks or other recreational facilities? $ e. Maintenance of public facilities, including roads? f. Other governmental services? X 15. Energy. Will the proposal result in: a. Use of substantial amounts of fuel or X 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? X X e. Storm water drainage? f. Solid waste and disposal? 17. Human Health. Will the proposal result in: a. 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? B. . ,• • YES MAYBE NO 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? X X X