HomeMy WebLinkAboutUniversity Drive North from Jamboree Road to Corona del Mar Freeway•
August 22, 1973
TO: ENVIRONMENTAL AFFAIRS COMMITTEE'
FROM: Public Works Department
SUBJECT: IMPROVEMENT OF UNIVERSITY DRIVE NORTH FROM JAMBOREE ROAD
TO CORONA DEL MAR FREEWAY = WEST FRONTAGE ROAD
Attached for the Committees review and comment are drafts
of the Notice of Determination, the E.I.R. Negative Declaration, and
the Environmental Fact Sheet for the subject improvements.
The Public Works Department will supply the committee
with any additional information which may be required to make find-
ings and recommendations in this matter.
The tentative project schedule calls for construction to
start in early spring, 1974.
ka.„,2,„
Devlin
rks Director
Att.
•
August 22, 1973
CITY OF NEWPORT BEACH
. IMPROVEMENT OF UNIVERSITY DRIVE NORTH FROM JAMBOREE ROAD TO
CORONA DEL MAR FREEWAY - WEST FRONTAGE ROAD
ENVIRONMENTAL REVIEW
NOTICE OF DETERMINATION
A preliminary environmental review of the proposed project to
improve University Drive North from Jamboree goad to the Corona del Mar
Freeway - West Frontage'Road'in the City of Newport Beach has been
completed. The review was conducted in compliance with the require-
ments of the California Environmental Quality Act of 1970, the State
"Guidelines for Implementation of California Environmental Quality
Act of 1970", and the City's "Policies and Procedures for Implement-
ing the C.E.Q.A."
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.
Joseph T. Devlin
Public Works Director
CSB:jfd
Att.
IMPROVEMENT OF UNIVERSITY DRIVE NORTH FROM JAMBOREE' ROAD
TO CORONA DEL MAR FREEWAY - WEST FRONTAGE ROAD
ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT REPORT - NEGATIVE DECLARATION
BY
CITY OF NEWPORT BEACH :—PUBLIC WORKS DEPARTMENT
I. PROJECT LOCATION, DESCRIPTION, AND PURPOSE
A. LOCATION
The proposed project is located within the City limits of Newport Beach,
northeasterly of Upper Newport Bay and adjacent to the existing San
Diego Creek Channel, It will connect Jamboree Road to•the West Frontage
Road of the future Corona del Mar Freeway.
B. DESCRIPTION
The project consists of the construction of University Drive North as
described above in Section A. The work will be performed by the State
Of California, Department of Transportation, in conjunction with the
realignment of MacArthur Boulevard (State Route 73) and construction of
Corona del Mar Freeway fills for the San Diego Creek bridge crossings.
Included in the project will be the construction of four travel lanes,
a curbed median, two shoulders, one bicycle path, left turn lanes, curb
and gutter, miscellaneous storm drain facilities and site grading.
Traffic signals will be installed at University Drive North's inter-
section with Jamboree Road.
C. PURPOSE
The proposed construction is in accordance with the planned development
of the County of Orange Master Plan of Arterial Highways; the City's
Master Plan of Streets and Highways; the City's Master Plan of Bicycle
Routes; and the Federal Highway Administration's Federal Systems Map
for Newport Beach.
II. DISCUSSION OF ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACTS
(a) Land Resources
Construction of University Drive North will be in an area presently
unimproved, lying adjacent to_tne north of the existing improved San
Diego Creek Channel.
The area has been.disturbed from its natural state by the past construc-
tion of fills for: the San Diego Creek Levee, existing Jamboree Road,
old Jamboree Road, and utility crossings of San Diego Creek. The area
on the north side of the proposed road has been utilized in the past as
a borrow area and shows substantial signs of erosion.
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August 22, 1973
An initial environmental study was undertaken to determine possible
impacts on the resident flora and fauna within and adjacent to the
project site. The results of the study show that there are no known
rare or endangered species of plant or animal life in the area and
that the most significant biological impact would be the loss of mature
willow trees in the project area. It is pointed out that other trees
are available nearby to provide adequate nesting for birds who commonly
use the willows, and that this'project of itself will not have a signifi-
cant impact on them.
There are no known geologic hazards within the project site. Approxi-
mately 60,000 cubic yards of grading will be done to build a roadbed.
The grading will be done entirely along the proposed route. It will
result in reduced side slopes on the northerly side of the road and
will improve the overall appearance of the area. Erosion control
measures will be used during construction, and slope planting will
commence immediately upon completion of the cut and fill operation.
The water quality of the creek is presented with a potential impact due
to increased roadway runoff and the chance for accidental spills. How-
ever, the addition of this small section of roadway,when compared to the
number of similar conditions affecting the creek over its 120-square-
mile drainage basin,cannot be considered of practical significance.
A permit from the State Coastal Zone Regional Conservation Commission
will be necessary for the project.
(b) Human Resources
There will be no negative effects on human resources due to this project
since the location is greater than 1000 feet from the nearest residences,
and no relocation of homes or other improvements will be necessary.
III. BASIS FOR NEGATIVE DECLARATION
The proposed project has been reviewed in conjunction with Sections 15081
and 15082 of Article 7, Chapter 3 (Guidelines for Implementation of the
California Environmental Quality Act of 1970), Title 14, Division 6 of the
California Administrative Code.
The criteria set forth in the above sections indicate that the project will
not have a significant env$ronmental impact.
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August 22, 1973 •
411
It4PROVEMENT OF UNIVERSITY DRIVE NORTH FROM JAMBOREE ROAD
TO CORONA DEL MAR FREEWAY - WEST FRONTAGE ROAD
FACT SHEET TO DETERMINE IFPPROJECT HAS SIGNIFICANT
ENVIRONMENTAL EFFECT
A. CONFORMANCE WITH CITY AND COUNTY GENERAL PLANS
This project is in conformance with the City's current Master Plan of .Streets
and Highways, Orange County's Master Plan of Arterial Highways, the Federal
Highway Administration's Federal Systems Map for Newport Beach, Freeway
Agreement between the State and City, the City's Master Plan of Bicycle
Routes. A permit for the work from the State Coastal Zone Regional Conserva-
tion Commission will be required.
University Drive is classified as a major arterial highway on the City's
Master Plan and as a primary arterial highway on the County's Master Plan.
Minimum width for a major arterial highway (City) is 108', and for a primary
arterial highway (County) is 84', curb to curb. Planned curb to curb width
for University Drive is 102'.
B. LAND USE AND AESTHETICS
Construction of University Drive will require the acquisition of right of way,
124' wide by 758' long. The area is presently unimproved, and lies adjacent
to and generally north of the existing improved channel of San Diego Creek.
This area has been disturbed from its natural state by construction of fills
for: The San Diego Creek Levee, existing Jamboree Road, Old Jamboree Road,
and utility crossings at San Diego Creek; the area on the north side of the
proposed improvements has been utilized in the past as a borrow area and shows
substantial signs of erosion.
An environmental study which discusses the resident flora and fauna within
and adjacent to the project site has been prepared by Ray E. Williams,
Ecological Consultant, and is available for review.
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August 22, 1973
Construction of the road is the initial link in a future extension to
University Drive on the west to connect at Irvine Avenue with Del Mar
Avenue.
C. VEGETATION AND ANIMAL'LIFE
There are no known rare or endangered species or habitats of such species
of animal or plant life within or adjacent to the project area. The most.
significant biological loss would be that of mature stands of willow trees
which are used for nesting purposes by such species of birds as: American
goldfinches, black -necked stilt, black -crowned night heron, yellow throat,
and savannah sparrow. However there are nearby mature willow stands, such
that the species affected will have little problem relocating.
D. HUMAN RESOURCES
There will be no effects on human resources due to this project since the
location is greater than 1000 feet from the nearest residences, no relocation
of homes will be necessary.
E. GEOLOGIC HAZARDS AND GRADING
There are no known unique geologic hazards within the area encompassed by,
the project. Grading will be required to create the roadbed, approximately
60,000 cubic yards of material will be moved; however since the manner in
which the grading is to be'accomplished will create as pleasing a slope as
presently -exists it is felt that this alteration of the topography is not
substantial. In fact the grading may well enhance the overall appearance
of the area by providing for the elimination of the present unsightly fills,
and erosion conditions as mentioned above in Section B.
F. ARCHEOLOGICAL SITES
There are no known archeological sites in the project area, however should
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August 22, 1973
grading operations encounter significant fossils or artifacts, construction
scheduling will be altered to allow sufficient time for archeological investi-
i
gation and recovery of finds.
G. AIR RESOURCES
Since there is presently no existing roadway along the proposed alignment
of University Drive; vehicular use along the corridor will represent a
substantial traffic increase to an estimated 10,000 vehicles/day®in 1990;
should the thoroughfare be extended to Irvine Avenue to the west. However
this potential adverse effect should be offset by increasingly stringent
controls on vehicular emissions over the next 20 years. Construction of the
proposed link will eliminate circuitous travel patterns now necessary for large
numbers of vehicles.
During construction dust control measures will be employed in accordance
with the project specifications.
H. FLOODING, EROSION,AND SILTATION
Project planning calls for construction of this project to occur during the
spring and summer seasons, prior to the normal rainy period in this area.
Construction during those seasons should preclude the possibility of flooding
with subsequent erosion and siltation of alluvial material in the adjacent
creek area. The project specifications will require the contractor to employ
sufficient erosion control measures during construction to further reduce
the possibility of siltation.
I. GROUNDWATER AND WATER QUALITY
There are no known aquifers in the project area, however San Diego Creek,
adjacent to the project, does carry a groundwater flow along with normal
surface flow.
(I)Ref. Newport Beach Traffic Study - Phase II Summary Report
Alan M. Voorhees & Associates Inc. (1973)
- 3 - August 22, 1973
Surface drainage flow will be collected along the proposed roadway and con-
centrated at two points at the easterly and westerly ends of the project
respectively. The surface runoff presents an impact due to possible contamina-
tion of waters in the San Diego Creek Channel, potential pollutants include:
street litter, eroded pavement material, chemicals used to control pests,
insects, weeds, and rodents, soil conditioning chemicals, and particulate
matter from air pollution and passing vehicles. Accidental spills of
deleterious materials present an additional potential impact on water quality
in the creek. The measures for elimination of such impacts are not fully
developed at this time and uncertainties exist in water quality standards re-
lated to roadway runoff. The additional roadway runoff and potential for
spills being added here, when compared to the runoff and spill potential
within the 120 square miles of area contributing to San Diego Creek, may
assume practical insignificance. The California Highway Patrol has procedures
for neutralizing toxic spills and the local public safety agencies, police, fire,
and sheriff should be aware of the services available through the Motor Carrier
Safety Unit of the Highway Patrol.
J. NOISE'LEVEL
Since construction of the proposed improvements will introduce a new connector
between an existing State highway (MacArthur Boulevard) and an arterial high-
way (Jamboree Road) noise in the project area will increase above the present
level. However, as mentioned previously, the closest residential structures
are greater than 1,000 feet distant, and it is not anticipated that this con-
struction will increase noise levels in those areas above present levels.
During construction, noise levels may rise due to operations which are necessary
to the completion of the project; however, these operations will be limited to
working hours to create a minimum of disturbance to the neighboring residences,
and the operations will, of course, cease when the project is completed.
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August 22, 1973
K. SHORT TERM EFFECTS
The following are short term effects expected to result from construction of
this project.
a. Noise during construction
b. Motorist inconvenience
c. Loss of mature willow trees in and adjacent to the• project area.
L. SECONDARY'CONSEQUENCES
It has been determined that no secondary consequences will arise from the
minor primary consequences related to this project.
M. SUMMARY
The project does not appear to have a significant effect on the environment.
In fact, it may well serve to enhance the overall environment of the City by
initiating a future east -west link above Upper Newport Bay, thus reducing
traffic loads on Coast Highway and postponing the need for an Upper Bay
Crossing. It will also facilitate public access to the proposed Regional
Park area in Upper Newport Bay should it be developed.
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August 22, 1973