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HomeMy WebLinkAbout11 - City Hall Reuse Amendments 3300 Newport Blvd & 475 32nd St - Correspondence03/26/2013 2:47PM FAX 8466501181 HAWKINS LAW OFFICES , Law Offices of Robert C, Hawkins 110 Newport Center Drive, Suite 200 Newport Reach, Califomia 92660 (949) 650 -5550 Fax; (949) 650-1181 TRANSMITTED T®: 1x0001/0008 el fNtltl V Al—TU Pi�x".Loi" _ ! /_ /�__ NAME FAX NUMBER PHONE NUMBER Leilani Brown, City Clerk (949) 644 -3039 From: RobcrL C. Hawkins Client/Matter; Friends Date: March 26, 2013 Documents: Comments on CC Agenda Item No. 11: FMND re City Hall Reuse Project Pages: 7* COMMENTS: Original will follow as indicated. — n o 7 3 airn m = tin v i The information contained In this facsimile message Is information protected by altorney- client and/or the attorney/work product privilege. It is intended only for the use ol'the individual named above and the privileges are not waived by virtue of this having been sent by facsimile. If the person actually receiving this facsimile or any other reader ofthe facshnae is not the named recipient nr the employee or agent responsible to deliver h to the named recipient, any use, dissemination, distribution or eupying ofthe communication is strictly prohibited. If you have received this communication in error, please Immediately notify us by telephone and return the original message to us at the above address via U.S. Postal Service. * NOT COUNTING COVRR SHEET. IF YOU DO NOT RL•CEIVEALL PAGES, PLEASE TELEPHONE US IMMEDIA'T'ELY AT (949) 650 -5550. 03/26/2013 2:47PM FAX 8486501181 HAWKINS LAW OFFICES LAW OFFICES OF ROBERT C. HAWKINS March 26, 2013 Via Facsimile Only Keith Curry, Mayor Members of the City Council c/o Leilani Brown, City Clerk City of Newport Beach 3300 Newport Blvd. Newport Beach, California 92663 Re: Greetings: @0002 /0008 Thank you for the opportunity to comment on the captioned matter. This firm represents Newport Residents United Again, a community group based on the original Newport Residents United which lobbied in the early 1970s to establish the original height limit for the Coastal Zone, the Friends of Dolores, a community action group dedicated to ensuring compliance with state and local laws including the California Environmental Quality Act, Public Resources Code sections 21000 et seq., Friends of City Mall, a community action group dedicated the preservation of the "City Hall" site for civic purposes, and others in the City in connection with the captioned matter. We have commented on the captioned DMND several times and offer these additional further comments on the captioned document. First, although we have repeatedly requested that you provide us with all notices in connection with the captioned matter, we have yet to receive any such notices. Please comply with the requirements of the California Environmental Quality Act, Public Resources Code sections 21000 et seq. Again, as throughout this process, the City has failed to provide us with notice required by CEQA and other laws. Second, the Response to our January 17, 2013 Letter Comment 4 states that: "This comment suggesting that the IS/MND was unreadable is the only comment received that indicated the reviewer had difficulty reading and understanding the information and analysis presented in the document. The IS /MND was distributed to the State Clearinghouse, the California Coastal Commission and other responsible public agencies and/or interested individuals and organizations. With the single exception of this commenter, the City did not receive any comments from any other recipient of the IS /MND that indicated reviewers had difficulty reading the document or that it prevented them from understanding the findings and recommendations included in the environmental analysis. Recirculation of the IS/MND is not necessary." 14 Corporate Plana, Suite 120 Newport Beach, California 92660 (949) 650.5550 Fax! (949) 6504 181 03/29/2013 2:47PM FAX 9498501181 HAWKINS LAW OFFICES @0003/0008 Keith Curry, Mayor Members of the Ciry Council -? • March 26, 2013 Final MND, page 1 of Responses to our January 17, 2013 letter. This is incredible. It is also factually incorrect. At the January 17, 2013 hearing, all of the public commenters criticized the readability of the DMND. Moreover, at the hearing, staff reported on the project and then introduced the MND preparer, Mr. Keeton Kreit2er. Mr. Kreitzer discussed the MND. The very first question asked of the EIR preparer, Keeton Kreitzer, concerned the italicized document. Chairman Michael Toerge asked: "Why was the document in italics ?" (Emphasis in the original.) Mr. Kreitzer responded that he had a computer glitz and the entire document printed in italics. He said that it was not to mislead, to confuse or to make the document less readable. Chair Toerge responded that "it certainly did make the document much less readable." See audio minutes of the January 17, 2013 meeting (the audio minutes are not measured so we cannot provide a location in the audio minutes) (Emphasis supplied). Other members of the public including Jim Mosher and Denys Oberman also criticized the readability of the document. Given these comments including the Planing Commission Chair's comments, the document must be recirculated for public review and comment. We note that the City has attempted to cure this defect retroactively by providing the FMND in non - italic font. Unfortunately, this is not appropriate and cannot cure the problem. The public commented on the italicized document, and the italics made the document unreadable. The City Council will now have the luxury of the non - italicized document but the public was not given this opportunity daring the public comment period which closed the day after Christmas 2012. Given that the City has now circulated a non - italicized version of the document, the City must recirculate this reformatted document for public review and comment. As for the Responses to Comment Nos. 5 and 6, although they state that they are analyzing the Project's impacts on the worst case scenario, the Responses fail to do this. First, the proposed shade- shadow analysis was not part of the DMND, and the public has not had the opportunity to review and comment on this study. The FMND without italics and with the shade study must be revised and recirculated for public review and comment. Second, the shade study is incomplete. The Project description includes increasing the Shoreline Height Limits from thirty -rive (35') feet to fifty -five (55') with sloping roofs and elevator towers to sixty (60') feet and architectural features to sixty -five (65') feet. The shade analysis displays only shade for the fifty -five (55') feet, not the higher sloped roofs, elevator towers and architectural features. Moreover, no one verifies that the shadows are correct and that the analysis correctly shows the shadows generated at the site and surrounding areas. This City has suffered from unscrupulous persons who have fudged height issues: Andrew Goetz; the entitlement persons for the Mormon Temple; and others. We need a reliable shade analysis to evaluate the potential impacts of the Project, not some seat -of- the - pants, rush -rush analysis. 14 Corporate Plata, Suite 120 Nowporc Beads, California 92660 (949) 650.5550 Sax; (949) 650.1181 03/26/2013 2:48PM FAX 8496501181 HAWKINS LAW OFFICES 20004/0008 Keith Cuny, Mayur Metnhera of the City Cmmeil .31 March 26, 2013 Third, even this seat -of -the- pants, rush -rush shade analysis shows shade impacts: the open space on the Project site will be permanently shaded. As we indicated in our original comment letter, the DMND states: "The purpose of allowing buildings, structures and architectural elements to exceed 35 feet is to promote vertical clustering resulting in increased open space and architectural diversity while protecting existing coastal views and providing new coastal view opportuitities." DMND, page 11 (Emphasis omitted to make the quote easier to read.) See also Response to Coastal Commission Comment No. 4 ( "Additionally, the purpose for allowing taller buildings is clearly described within the draft amendment; `...to promote vertical clustering resulting in increased publically accessible on -site open space and architectural diversity while protecting existing coastal views and providing new coastal view opportunities. "' However, Response to Supplemental Comment No. 6 states: "It is. important to note that the City of Newport Beach has determined that Shadow sensitive uses include, but are not limited to, residential, recreational and park areas, plazas, schools, and nurseries. Furthermore, the City considers that a significant impact related to shadows occurs when 50 percent of shadow sensitive use or area is in shade /shadow for at least 50 percent oFthe time between 9:00 a.m, and 3:00 p.m. Pacific Standard Time (PST) between late October and early April or between 9:00 a.m. and 5 :00 p.m. Pacific Daylight Time (PDT) between early April and Late October." Section 7.0 of the FMND, page 2. However, the seat -of- the -pants, rush -rush shade analysis fails to analyze the impacts on the Project site open space areas, e.g. the park areas. The FMND recognizes these as shade sensitive areas, but the analysis shows that this area will be in shade for most of the day. Yet, the FMND fails to recognize or appreciate this Project impact. At the January 27, 2013 Planning Commission, we commented regarding such impacts. Planner Campbell stated that Project impacts on the Project site were not impacts that needed to be analyzed, addressed, Or mitigated. However, the FMND is replete with analysis of such impacts including impacts regarding air quality and noise. For instance, Section 4.8(e) concerning Hazards considers and discusses whether the Project will expose Project residents to hazards including noise. Section 4.12(a) discusses the potential impact that the Project may create by exposing Project residents to unwanted noise. Section 4.3(e) discusses the potential that the Project may expose residents to objectionable odors. Here, the Project and its huge shadow eliminates the benefit of the open space included in the Project Description and which necessitates the Project's need to exceed the height limit. The Project's exceeding the height limit actually will create a significant and unmitigated impact: the shadow which undercuts and destroys the benefit of the open space. This is a significant Project impact which requires mitigation. Indeed, it likely will require modification of the Project to comply with the current height limits which likely will have no such shade impacts. 14 Corporate Plaza, Suitt 120 Newport Bench, Calil'orula 92660 (949) 650.5550 Fax (949) 6501181 03/26/2013 2:48PM FAX 9496501181 Keith Curry, Maynr Members of die City Council HAWKINS LAW OFFICES ®0005/0008 4 • Match 26, 2013 Fourth, the Shoreline Height Ordinance and Limitation arose due to citizen action. In the early 1970s, a group of Newport Beach residents including Joe and Judy Rosener formed "Newport Residents United ("NRU')." According to Allen Beek who testified on behalf of NRU when the Council passed the height limit, one of the reasons NRU proposed the height limit was the construction of the massive condominium towers near the Lido Isle Bridge. However, FMND maintains that the Project with its height exceeding the current ordinance is consistent with these large condominiums which gave rise to the height ordinance in the first place. For instance, the discussion of Aesthetics notes: "Several other taller residential, office, and a mixed use building are also located in the vicinity of the project and within the view." FMND, page 28. See also Response to Coastal Commission Comment No. 4 Also, see Exhibits 4.1 -1 through -7 which show that the only building penetrating the Shoreline Height Limit is the 601 Lido Condominiums and 611 Lido Park Condominiums which led to the Shoreline Height. Ordinance. Further, Exhibits 4.1 -8 through -11 also show projects built before the Shoreline Height Ordinance which are not in the vicinity of the Project but are on Pacific Coast Highway in an area known as Mariner's Mile. The other structures reference in the graphic entitled "Lido Village Building Height Analysis" in Response to Coastal Commission Comment No. 4 show that the vast majority of structures in the vicinity of the Project are within the Shoreline Height Limit, not in excess of those limits. Only two properties shown on this Analysis are as high or higher than the proposed Project: 601 Lido Condominiums and 611 Lido Park Condominiums, The FMND cannot use these anomalies to show consistency with surrounding development. Indeed, the Mariner's Mile projects are not in the vicinity of the Project site and should not be considered at all. Further, the 601 Lido Condominiums is unusual as shown in the Exhibits 4.1 -1 through -7. Without more, these anomalies cannot in and of themselves set the standard. The standard is far lower: it is the current Shoreline Height Limit of thirty -five (35') feet. Fifth, as indicated in our original comments, the FMND refers to the Lido Village Design Guidelines as regulatory. See Mitigation Measure 4.1 -1 and other references in the FMND which state that the Guidelines "prescribe" standards of development. These references occur throughout the FMND, Nonetheless, Response to Comment No. 15 states that: "The characterization in the Draft IS/MND that the guidelines as regulatory in nature was unintentional. Rather, the discussion of the Lido Village Design Guidelines was intended to illustrate that future development must be found to be consist with the design guidelines for approval." FMND, Response to Friends' December 26, 2013, page 10. This is very confusing. The first sentence in this Response suggests that the Guidelines are not regulatory; the second states that the Guidelines are regulatory. The City cannot have it both ways: if the Project must be found to be consistent with the Guidelines, then they are regulatory. If they are not regulatory, then the Project need not be consistent with the Guidelines. Given that the FMND relies upon the 14 Corporate Plaza, Suite 120 Newport Deaoh, California 92660 (949) 650.5550 Fas: (949) 650-1181 03/26/2013 2:48PM FAX 9496501181 HAWKINS LAW OFFICES @0008 /0008 Keith Curry, Mayor Members of die City Council 15. March 26, 2013 regulatory understanding of the Guidelines, the Guidelines are part of the Project and must be analyzed in the FMND. Indeed, Response to our January 17, 2013 letter Comment No. 9 concerning the Guidelines states that: "It is acknowledged that the Lido Village Design Guidelines are not regulatory. As indicated in the guidelines, the City of Newport Beach is responsible for design review and project implementation. Project must adhere to adopted General Plan, zoning politics, and regulations, which outline requirements specific for individual parcels within Lido Village, including the City Hall property. Nonetheless, the lido Village Design Guidelines are intended to influence the theme and character of that development. To that end, the guidelines addressed all aspects of future land use that may occur within Lido Village, including edge conditions, pedestrian connection, open space, sustainability, architecture, landscaping, etc., to ensure that the objectives articulated in the document are achieved. In addition, guidance is also provided to achieve the desired visual character and aesthetic. quality within Lido Village, even though all improvements occurring with the affected area are subject to applicable regulations and permitting process imposed by the City' General Plan, zoning code and related ordinances, and other related regulatory requirements. Finally, the guidelines are intended to provide design guidance for future development and redevelopment "...with the assurance that others who follow will be held to the same or similar unifying set of standards. "Thus, while they are not regulatory, they include guidance f'or promoting compatibility and minimizing land use conflicts through the implementation of planning and design solutions that also reduce potential adverse effects." FMND, Response to January 17, 2013 Comment No. 9, page 4 (Emphasis supplied.) Again, this does not really address the question. This Response recognizes that the Guidelines are not regulatory and only provide guidance. However, if so, then how can the FMND rely on compliance with the Guidelines to mitigate Project impacts? See Mitigation Measure 4.1 -1. They cannot. Hence, the FMND contains an analysis which requires further discussion regarding the Guidelines and their mitigation of the Project's impacts. Indeed, as we indicated in our December 26, 2013 Comment, the Project really includes the Guidelines, and the environmental document must be revised to address this aspect of the Project. Sixth, the FMND fails to analyze the Project's impacts on the existing environment. That is, it improperly compares the Project's impacts, not to the existing environment, but on a hypothetical General Plan environment. This is legal error. Recently, the California Supreme Court decided the CEQA issue of environmental baseline. In Communities for a Better Environment v. South Coast Air Quality Management Dist. (2010) 48 Cal. 4th 310 ("South Coast AQMD ") , the Supreme Court held that the environmental baseline is CEQA is generally the existing conditions on the ground. There, the South Coast Air Quality Management District prepared a negative declaration for a refiner project by Conoco - Philips. Among other things, the District argued that the environmental 14 Corporate Plaza, Suite 120 Newport Beach, California 92660 (949) 650.5550 Fax: (949) 650 -1161 03/26/2013 2:50PM FAX 9496501161 HAWKINS LAW OFFICES 160007/0008 Keidi Curry, Mayor MCMhary of [Ile CI[y Council 16 • March 26, 2013 baseline was maximum output of the refinery which had valid permits to operate it at the site even though the refinery had yet to be built. Among other things, ConocoPhillips argued that failure to use the maximum permitted operations as a baseline would violate ConocoPhilips vested rights and contravene CE QA's statute of limitations. The Court reviewed the case law and stated: A long line of Court of Appeal decisions holds, in similar terms, that the impacts of a proposed project are ordinarily to be compared to the actual environmental conditions existing at the time of CEQA analysis, rather than to allowable conditions defined by a plan or regulatory framework. This line of authority includes cases where a plan or regulation allowed for greater development or more intense activity than had so far actually occurred, n6 as well as cases where actual development or activity had, by the time CEQA analysis was begun, already exceeded that allowed under the existing regulations. n7 In each of these decisions, the appellate court concluded the baseline for CEQA analysis must be the "existing physical conditions in the affected area" (,F•nvironmental Planning & Information Council v. County of El Dorado, supra, 131 Cal. App. 3d at p. 354), that is, the "`real conditions on the ground "' (Save Our Peninsula Committee v. Monterey County Bd. of Supervisors, supra, 87 Cal.App.4th at p. 121; see City of Carmel-by-the-Sea v. Board of Supervisors, supra, 183 Cal, App. 3d at p. 246), rather than the level of development or activity that could or should have been present according to a plan or regulation." Id. at 320 -21. The Court held that: "Applied here, this general rule leads to the conclusion the District erred in using the boilers' maximum permitted operational levels as a baseline. By treating all operation of the boilers within the individual limits of their permits to be part of the environmental setting, or baseline, the District ensured that no emissions from increased boiler operation would be considered an environmental impact so long as no single boiler operated beyond its permitted capacity." Id. at 322. See Neighbors for Smart Rail v. Exnosition Metro Line Construction Authority (2012) 205 Cal. App, 4r' 552 petition for review ranted 2012 Cal. LEXIS 7556 (to the opposite effect; opinion was depublished pending the Supreme Court review). Hence, under South Coast AOMD, the FMND uses an improper baseline to assess impacts including traffic impacts. The FMND states: "When the City's General Plan Update was approved in 2006, the City had commissioned a traffic study that assumed that the existing City Mall site would be expanded to 75,000 square feet. Therefore, based on the General Plan 2006 Update traffic (land use) assumption used to analyze the traffic impacts associated with the project site, the City determined that such future redevelopment/reuse of the City Hall Complex property would not require voter approval for the purpose of analyzing the Charter Section 423 thresholds." 14 Corporate Plaza, Suirc 120 Newport Beach, California 92660 (949) 650,5550 Fax: (949) 650.1181 03/26/2013 2:50PM FAX 9496501181 HAWKINS LAW OFFICES e0008 /0008 Keith Curry, Mayen Memhere of die City Council - 7 - March 26, 2013 FMND, page 112. The FMND uses this "General Plan" analysis to determine the baseline for the Project instead of the existing conditions on the ground today which is 54,000 square feet including the Fire Station. See City Council Study Session presentation, page 2. This does not comply with the requirements of CEQA and with the direction of the South Coast AOMD Court. Indeed, it inflates the traffic generated under existing conditions and lessens the traffic impacts of the project. The FMND must be revised to consider the Project's impacts on traffic and other issues based upon a comparison with the existing conditions, Likely, the Project will generate substantially more traffic than existing conditions, Moreover, the FMND seems confused on this point. In Response to our December 26, 2013 Comment No. 34, the FMND states that: "Fite Station No. 2 is an existing use that currently generates traffic to and from the site as a result of home -to -work trips. Those trips currently exist and are reflected in the baseline traffic for the Project." FMND, Response to Comment No. 34, page 14. However, it is unclear under the General Plan baseline whether or not the Fire Station traffic was not allocated to another site. In conclusion, the FMND is totally inadequate. Good and sound policy reasons and good planning require the preparation of an EIR. Such an Elk would analyze correctly the existing environmental setting including the 54,000 square foot current City Hall structure, would clearly state the Project objectives which include adequate open space for this public site, would analyze all impacts including shade impacts, would include adequate mitigation, would include a discussion of Project alternatives which is necessary for the Project to go forward, and would allow the City to override any significant an unmitigated impacts. Thank you, again, for the opportunity to comment on the FMND. As before and although ignored for this hearing, PLEASE PROVIDE US WITH NOTICE OF ANY RESPONSES TO THESE COMMENTS IN A NON-ITALICIZED FORMAT AND WITH NOTICES OF ANY AND ALL BEARINGS ON THE CAPTIONED PROJECT AND FMND. Of course, should you have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact me. RCH/kw Cc: Leilani Brown, City Clerk (Via Facsimile Only) 14 Corporate Plan, Suite 120 Newport Beach, California 92660 (949) 650.5550 Fax: (949) 650, 1181 Brown, Leilani From: Denys Oberman idho @obermanassociates.com) Sent: Tuesday, March 26, 2013 6:17 PM To: Curry, Keith; m hen n527 @hotmail.com; Gardner, Nancy; Daigle, Leslie; edselich @adelphia.net; Hill, Rush; Petros, Tony; Kiff, Dave; Harp, Aaron; Brawn, Leilani Subject: City Hall Site Reuse - PLEASE ENTER INTO THE PUBLIC RECORD Attachments: City Hall Site Reuse - statement to City Council 3 -24 -13 for Public Record.docx Importance: High Sensitivity: Confidential Please enter the attached document into the Public Record. Testimony provided at City Council meeting this evening. Thank you. Regards, Denys H. Oberman, CEO EV ®BERMN Stabgy a:d Ananclal Advison OBERMAN Strategic Consulting & Transactions 2600 Michelson Drive, Suite 1700 Irvine, CA 92612 Tel (949) 476 -0790 Cell (949) 230 -5868 Fax (949) 752 -8935 Email: dho(cDobermanassociates.com CONFIDENTIALITY NOTICE: The documents accompanying this transmission contain confidential information belonging to the sender which is legally privileged. The information is intended only for the use of the individual or entity named above. If you are not the intended recipient, you are hereby notified that any disclosure, copying, distribution or the taking of any action in reliance on the contents of this telecopied information is strictly prohibited. If you have received this transmission in error, please notify us immediately at 9491476 -0790 or the electronic address above, to arrange for the return of the document(s) to us. March 24, 2013 Re. City Hall Site Reuse- PLEASE ENTER INTO THE PUBLIC RECORD City of Newport Beach Mayor and Council Members Civic Center Drive Newport Beach CA 92660 Mayor and Council Members: We are pleased that the City is progressing the land use measures required to enable the Redevelopment of the City Hall Site located at 3300 Newport Blvd. in Newport Beach. We appreciate the City's desire to further a land use scheme that provides some flexibility concerning the ultimate use which may be agreed upon. However, we are concerned and object to the following: 1. The City continues to reference Concept Plan 5B as a document ratifying both public opinion and City policy. The Concept Plan should not be referenced or reliable upon for the following reasons. a) The referenced Public Process documentation does NOT accurately represent the broad Public View, as was stated repeatedly by the public in testimony. The public universally OBJECTED TO "Housing" as a use for the subject site. This testimony occurred in written form, and in repeated testimony in City Council and other meetings. The public testified in favor of an Upscale Boutique Hotel as the preferred use for this site, which could provide a much - needed Anchor for retail, commercial and entertainment /recreational uses required for Lido Village area revitalization. The Public at large DISAPPROVED OF THE USES as proposed in the Staff Report's description of Concept Plan B. b) The Concept Plan was not developed or vetted in accordance with CEQA or Brown Act requirements. While this plan is not labeled as a Master Plan per se, it has been referred to as such by Council members repeatedly. The stated 5B Concept Plan is NOT a legal document - - -We request that the City discontinue use of this as any form of guidance or influence on the community or prospective developers. 2. In response to significant public testimony, the City commissioned a recognized Hotel consultant to conduct a study to assess the marketability and economic feasibility and attractiveness of a Hotel use . The study results were compelling, reflecting economic benefit to the City, public benefit, and marketability exponentially greater than that of the alternatives proposed by Council members or another consultant previously commissed,Keyser Marston. Yet the City continues to invest resources and funds in evaluation of other uses which CONSTITUENTS DO NOT WANT, AND WHICH ARE NOT AS ECONOMICALLY BENEFITTO THE CITY. There is already a prepondence of dense, residential uses of both single and multifamily nature in the Lido /Balboa Penninsula area. The last thing that is needed is more residential uses. The area needs a Destination Anchor to promote the require complementary mix of retail, restaurants, recreation and entertainment which will make the area a destination with commercial viability and sustainability. A hotel will create less impacts on the environment and surrounding infrastructure than a large residential complex. There are already plans for development of additional mix use and retail in the surrounding area -- -more on this site is not appropriate. 3. Public Notice- The City continues to conduct what is characterizes as Public Hearings without adequate,reasonable Notice to the public at large, or Interested Parties.The City serially alters Agendae and dates with only last minute notice to the public Given the significance of this project, we request that specific outreach be completed so that Interested Parties can be kept current, and have adequate opportunity to comment and testify. At minimum, all of the area Community and Homeowners Associations should be kept updated, along with the press, concerning dates and Agendae of public hearinings, and staff reports. 4. Rate of Error in Consultants and Staff Reports- There is an exceptionally high rate of error in both Consultant and Staff Reports. When errors have been pointed out, they have not been cured, and there is Inaccurate Information in the record. For example, there were readily apparent errors in the Keyser Marston report that were specifically identified, but no cure was provided. We again request that population, demographic, and consumer — related information be corrected so that the City Council, Planning Commission, the public, and prospective development partners are not relying on Erroneous or Misleading Information to make conclusions concerning policy and programs of material importance. Thank you for your consideration. Denys H. Oberman Resident Cc: Interested parties