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HomeMy WebLinkAboutWest Bay Avenue from 8th to 15th St• TO: ENVIRONMENTAL AFFAIRS COMMITTEE FROM: Public Works Department SUBJECT: UNDERGROUNDING OF UTILITIES AND INSTALLATION OF STREET LIGHTS ON WEST BAY AVENUE FROM 8TH STREET TO 15TH STREET (SPECIAL ASSESSMENT DISTRICTS) E.I.S. NEGATIVE DECLARATION Attached for the Committee's review and comment are drafts of the Notice of Determination, the E.I.S. Negative Declaration, and Environmental Fact Sheet for the proposed project. The Public Works Department will supply the committee with any additional information which may be required to make findings and recommendations in this matter. oseph T, ublic Wo AB:jd Att. vlin Director CITY OF NEWPORT BEACH UNDERGROUNDING OF UTILITIES AND INSTALLATION OF STREET LIGHTS ON WEST BAY AVENUE FROM EIGHTH STREET TO FIFTEENTH STREET (SPECIAL ASSESSMENT DISTRICTS) ENVIRONMENTAL REVIEW - NOTICE OF DETERMINATION A preliminary environmental review of the proposed project 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 on _ 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. oseph T. D•vlin blic Wo s Director B:jd Att. • r 4 • CITY OF NEWPORT BEACH PUBLIC WORKS DEPARTMENT ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT STATEMENT NEGATIVE DECLARATION UNDERGROUNDING OF UTILITIES AND INSTALLATION OF STREETLIGHTS• ON WEST BAY AVENUE FROM EIGHTH STREET TO FIFTEENTH STREET (SPECIAL ASSESSMENT DISTRICTS) I. LOCATION The proposed project is located in the City of Newport Beach on the Balboa Peninsula. It extends along the northerly side of West Bay Avenue, from Eighth. Street to Fifteenth Street, in the City street right-of-way (see attached exhibit). II. PROJECT DESCRIPTION The project, comprising approximately 3,500 linear feet, proposes: A. The construction of an underground electrical distribution and communi- cations system, and the removal of the existing overhead network, including wood poles, lines, guy wires, anchors,.and other above -ground appurtenances. B. The installation of 19 street lights (3 lights per block proposed). This project was initiated by petitions from property owners on West Bay Avenue to form special assessment districts to construct and finance the improvements. III. PURPOSE OF THE PROJECT The purposes of the project are to: A. Enhance the natural scenic values of the area by eliminating the overhead utility lines, and minimize obstructions to vehicular and pedestrian traffic by removing the existing wood poles adjacent to the curb. B. Provide a minimum level of street illumination to improve safety, security, and visibility at night. IV. DISCUSSION OF ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACTS The proposed project is consistent with the City's General Plan Policies, re.; quires no additional right-of-way, and will not cause the relocation of any people. Drainage patterns will not be altered, so there will be no change in water quality. There will be no additional noise or pollution as a result of this project. , 4 4 • • There will be no long-term, irreversible or irretrievable effects on the environ- ment, and no significant short-term effects. V. BASIS FOR NEGATIVE DECLARATION The proposed project has been reviewed in 15082 of Article 7, Chapter 3 (Guidelines Environmental Quality Act of 1970), Title Administrative Code. Comparison with the criteria set forth in the above sections indicates that the proposed project will not have a significant environmental impact. Prepared by, and copies obtainable from: seph Tevlin blic Works Director ity of Newport Beach, California AB:jd conjunction with Sections 15081 and for Implementation of the California 14, Division 6 of the California c.\l-- ', so FACT SHEET mOOt vn•d a TO DETERMINE °' 239 t $'9',t(0* G IF PROJECT HAS SIGNIFICANT ENVIRONMENTAL EFFE►1\4 \ oovogw. . UNDERGROUNDING OF UTILITIES AND INSTALLATION OF STREET L GF1TS ON WEST BAY AVENUE FROM EIGHTH STREET TO FIFTEENTH STRE (SPECIAL ASSESSMENT DISTRICTS) A. Conformance with City Goals This project conforms to the City's objectives "to upgrade those existing features throughout the City which may detract from the visual character or quality of Newport Beach," more specifically developing "undergrounding of utilities"; and "to actively promote the upgrading and improvement of older '.... areas so as to ensure adequate levels of health and safety." B. Land Use Existing land use adjacent to the proposed project is primarily residential, with a short section of public beach at loth Street. Construction of the distribution lines and street lighting will be done within existing street right-of-way, and individual property service connections to the underground system will be the responsibility of each property owner. No additional right-of-way will be required for this project. C. Human Resources The project does not require the relocation of any people, and will affect existing buildings only in the reconnection of electrical and communications service by the owners. D. Air Resources • This project will not increase or decrease the total volume of vehicle emnissions in this air quality region. E. Geologic Hazards Liquefaction is a potential hazard in the project area. However, construction of the improvements will not affect the damage potential of this hazard, nor will liquefaction affect the design or construction of the project. F. Flooding, Erosion, and Siltation There will be no change in the existing runoff patterns in the project area. All construction will be required to be performed in such a manner that erosion and siltation, or any other discharges into Newport Bay, will be prevented. G. Groundwater There are no known aquifers in the area of the project. The nature of the construction is such that contamination or blockage of aquifers will not occur. Fact Sheet cont'd H. Noise Level Construction of the project should not substantially alter the ambient noise levels for the surrounding area, since no new travel lanes will be added to the roadway. During construction, noise levels may rise due to operations which are neces- sary to construct the project; however, these operations will be limited as to working hours to create the minimum of disturbance to neighboring residents, and the operations will cease upon completion of the project. I. 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. J. Natural and Energy Resources The proposed 19 street lights (none at the public beach) will require some energy consumption; however, the 100-watt lights are less intense than average lighting systems in newer developments. In addition, public safety and security will be enhanced by the addition of some street lights. K. Long -Term Impacts This project will have no long-term irreversible or irretrievable effects on the commitments of resources in the City. The proposed project will enhance the scenic values of the area. L. Short -Term Impacts The only short term impacts anticipated are those associated with any similar utility construction. They are such items as noise and pedestrian and motor- ist inconvenience during construction. These impacts are not considered to have a significant effect on the environment. M. Summary The project does not appear to have a significant effect on the environment. - XXXXXX 640»21-28 March 26, 1976 Clark of the Board of Supervisors,` P. 0.Box 687 Santa Ana, CA 42702 . Subject: Notice of Determination--Undergrounding',of Utilities and Installation of Street Lights on West flay Avenue from Eighth Street to Fifteenth Street To whom it may concern: Enclosed is a Notice of Determination for the subject project, A Negative Declaration has been prepared and is on file In our Community Development Department. If you have any guestions,.please call me at (714) 6404128. Very truly yours, - - C� ;%/GL�'t a �ij Irwin Miller Administrative Assistant' Public Works.Department IM:jd Enclosure - cc: Community Development Department, Bill Foley