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Home My WebLink About20 - Establish a Trial Anchorage Area West of Lido Isle - Harbor Commission RecommendationCTY OF F NEWPORT BEACH City Council Staff Report July 14, 2015 Agenda Item No. 20 TO: HONORABLE MAYOR AND MEMBERS OF THE CITY COUNCIL FROM: David A. Webb, Public Works Director- (949) 644-3330, dawebb@newportbeachca.gov PREPARED BY: Chris Miller, Harbor Manager PHONE: (949) 644-3043 TITLE: Establish a Trial Anchorage Area West of Lido Isle — Harbor Commission Recommendation ABSTRACT: The Harbor Commission is recommending the City Council establish a temporary anchorage area in the Turning Basin west of Lido Isle for a 2.5 month trial period to augment the existing anchorage area east of Lido Isle. RECOMMENDATION: Adopt Resolution No. 2015-62, A Resolution of the City Council of the City of Newport Beach, California, Authorizing the Establishment of a Temporary Trial Anchorage in the Newport Harbor Turning Basin. FUNDING REQUIREMENTS: This action item requires minimal funding to purchase and deploy four buoys with weights and associated hardware. Estimated costs to establish this temporary anchorage should be approximately $3,000, which will be funded from the existing Public Works - Harbor Resources 2015-16 operating budget. DISCUSSION: Over the years the Harbor Commission has noted that an additional anchorage in Newport Harbor could better serve the boating public, as a short term, long term or on an as -needed basis. With the recent request from several larger vessel owners visiting the harbor, the Harbor Commission added this issue to their yearly objectives which were subsequently approved by the City Council. Newport Harbor currently has one anchorage area located between the eastern tip of Lido Isle and the west side of Bay Island (Attachment A). This area provides a free, five day option for boaters to visit Newport Beach; otherwise, additional options include (1) renting an available mooring, (2) renting a guest slip at the County's Harbor Patrol docks. With the completion of Marina Park, an additional 23 slips will be available to the boating public. In addition to providing visitor serving access, the anchorage area also provides safe refuge for boaters traversing the coast during inclement weather. The Harbor Patrol maintains the anchorage area, and monitors its use on a daily basis. During the boating season, it is 20-1 heavily used and at times, can become overcrowded The Harbor Commission feels that an additional anchorage area in the Turning Basin would augment the existing anchorage when demand is high, and would also allow boaters to experience another part of the harbor at anchor. With the potential, future addition of a public dock at Central Avenue, the anchoring boaters could also have much better access to the landside amenities in the Lido Marina Village area than is currently available at the existing anchorage location (Attachment B). In addition, there are times during the year when the adjacent Newport Harbor Yacht Club mooring area is temporarily removed to allow for a wide open area for regattas such as the Sabot Nationals. If a proposed anchorage in the Turning Basin is established, the existing anchorage east of Lido Isle could be closed during these special event regattas therefore providing an open channel for the racers to use as well as for landside spectators to enjoy an unobstructed view. The Harbor Commission's goal is to test the concept of an additional anchorage for 2.5 months during the busier summer/boating season. After considering three different configurations, the Harbor Commission decided on the smaller option as a good starting point for this trial period (Attachment B). However, staff anticipates and welcomes community feedback as to the boundary configuration, so it is expected the four buoys marking the area will be adjusted as input is received during the trial. After the program is complete, the anchorage area will be removed, and the Harbor Commission will follow up with a report to the City Council detailing the trial. Newport Beach Municipal Code Section 17.05.070 provides for the establishment of anchorage areas in Newport Harbor by the City Council with the recommendation of the Harbor Commission. Additionally, staff and the Harbor Commission have consulted with the U.S. Coast Guard regarding the proposed anchorage area. Public comments received during the June Harbor Commission meeting centered on the potential for increased noise from raft -ups (defined as two or more vessels tied together), unchecked party -like behavior, and a conflict of use with the recently approved designated area for water propelled vessels. In response to these comments, the Harbor Patrol promised active management of the anchorage area to address resident's concerns. The Harbor Commission recommends the City Council approve the installation of a temporary, trial anchorage area in the Turning Basin, west of Lido Isle, with the following conditions: 1. The anchorage area must be at least 200' from the vessels berthed along the shore; 2. The anchorage area shall be configured as close to the final recommended exhibit as noted on Attachment B, recognizing that the boundaries will change during the trial as public input is received; 3. No raft -ups are allowed; and 4. The trial will last 2.5 months, and shall commence as soon as possible to take advantage of the busy summer months. Staff provided the surrounding community with notification of the proposal (Attachment D) and the comments received are included in Attachment E. ENVIRONMENTAL REVIEW: Staff recommends the City Council find the approval of this resolution exempt from the California Environmental Quality Act ("CEQA") pursuant to: (1) Section 15303 because it involves the construction and location of limited numbers of new small facilities, which are four buoys with weights and associated hardware; (2) Section 15304 minor alteration of water in Newport Harbor through the placement of a temporary anchorage area: (3) Section 15060(c)(2) (the activity will not result in a direct or reasonably foreseeable indirect physical change in the environment); and (4) Section 15061(b)(3) because it has no potential for causing a significant effect on the environment, of the CEQA Guidelines, California Code of 20-2 Regulations, Title 14, Chapter 3, because it has no potential for resulting in physical change to the environment, directly or indirectly. NOTICING: The agenda item has been noticed according to the Brown Act (72 hours in advance of the meeting at which the City Council considers the item). ATTACHMENTS: Description Attachment A - Vicinity Mao Attachment B - Harbor Commission Recommended Anchorage Configuration Attachment C - Resolution Attachment D - Public Outreach Attachment E - Public Comments 20-3 TURNING BAST y 022VNIDOITL w 1� oboe WPORT IER ATTACHMENT A FL ID 0 PENINSULA ISLE HARBOR ISLAND r �. O LIDO BAY I SLE ISLAND COLLINS ISLAND «r mIQ 11 AL%" Vicinity Map CITY OF NEWPORT BEACH Existing Anchorage (East of Lido Isle) & PUBLIC WORKS DEPARTMENT Proposed Anchorage (West of Lido Isle) 07/14/2015 9=1 Harbor Commission's Final Recommendation **4;Ak ; Al 1r , L` ._�"Ntj 70 to-- -ate T.. 'r �-^ , ', r - ♦ ♦ �lC it •/�, `-. Final Recommendation K ;•. - i ® Existing Anchorage Footprint 20-5 I Anchorage Configuration #2 Considered by Harbor Commission .tel (Not Recommended) t>� , I Anchorage Proposal ® Existing Anchorage Footprint M I -v s --. r- •fcR a. r Anchorage Configuration #3 S Considered by Harbor Commission (Not Recommended) f qy t;•� /tom tjto 70 IFeei_ �7 . l - "£z Anchorage Proposal Existing Anchorage Footprint 20-7 Existing Anchorage Area East of Lido Isle s 5.23 acres w N / I _ 0 L Existing Anchorage Area Copied to Turning Basin for Comparison i 4 . `� i _ , , �,� � � a /lam/ ,/" • � _'C`V fir: � ♦a% .!� - . �r i 1' - ' t .'•� a. _ -s C0 135 F a ATTACHMENT C RESOLUTION NO. 2015- A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF NEWPORT BEACH, CALIFORNIA, AUTHORIZING THE ESTABLISHMENT OF A TEMPORARY TRIAL ANCHORAGE IN THE NEWPORT HARBOR TURNING BASIN WHEREAS, Section 200 of the Charter of the City of Newport Beach ("City") vests the City Council with the authority to make and enforce all laws, rules and regulations with respect to municipal affairs subject only to the restrictions and limitations contained in the Charter and the State Constitutions, and the power to exercise, or act pursuant to any and all rights, powers, and privileges, or procedures granted or prescribed by any law of the State of California; WHEREAS, the City is governed, in part, by its Charter, Municipal Code, and adopted City Council Policies; WHEREAS, Newport Harbor is one of the largest recreational yacht harbors in the United States, and its waters and shoreline support a wide variety of commercial, recreational and residential uses, and scenic and biological resources; WHEREAS, Newport Harbor has an existing vessel anchorage area east of Lido Isle which is free to the boating public, and is managed by the Orange County Harbor Patrol; WHEREAS, the existing anchorage area is well used throughout the summer boating season, and at times can become overcrowded; WHEREAS, the Harbor Commission studied the potential for adding an additional anchorage area in the Turning Basin west of Lido Isle to augment the existing anchorage area during heavy use or when the existing anchorage area might be temporarily cleared during major regattas; WHEREAS, the Harbor Commission recommends the City Council approve the installation of a temporary, trial anchorage area west of Lido Isle for 2.5 months, and that it be configured as depicted on the attached exhibit, and that the anchorage area be at least two hundred feet (200') from berthed vessels along the shore, and that no raft -ups be allowed; and WHEREAS, Newport Beach Municipal Code Section 17.05.070 authorizes the City Council to establish an anchorage area upon recommendation of the Harbor Commission. 20-10 NOW, THEREFORE, the City Council of the City of Newport Beach resolves as follows: Section 1: The City Council hereby approves the installation of a temporary trial anchorage in the Turning Basin for 2.5 months from installation as recommended by the Harbor Commission and as depicted on the attached Exhibit 1, which is incorporated by reference herein. The duration of this anchorage area may be extended one (1) time upon the written direction of the Harbor Resources Manager for up to one (1) month. Section 2: If any section, subsection, sentence, clause or phrase of this resolution is for any reason held to be invalid or unconstitutional, such decision shall not affect the validity or constitutionality of the remaining portions of this resolution. The City Council hereby declares that it would have passed this resolution and each section, subsection, clause or phrase hereof, irrespective of the fact that any one or more sections, subsections, sentences, clauses and phrases be declared unconstitutional. Section 3: The recitals provided in this resolution are true and correct and are incorporated into the substantive portion of this resolution. Section 4: Staff recommends the City Council find the approval of this resolution exempt from the California Environmental Quality Act ("CEQA") pursuant to: (1) Section 15303 because it involves the construction and location of limited numbers of new small facilities, which are four buoys with weights and associated hardware; (2) Section 15304 minor alteration of water in Newport Harbor through the placement of a temporary anchorage area: (3) Section 15060(c)(2) (the activity will not result in a direct or reasonably foreseeable indirect physical change in the environment); and (4) Section 15061(b)(3) because it has no potential for causing a significant effect on the environment, of the CEQA Guidelines, California Code of Regulations, Title 14, Chapter 3, because it has no potential for resulting in physical change to the environment, directly or indirectly. Section 5: The Mayor shall sign and the City Clerk shall certify the vote adopting the passage of this resolution. ADOPTED this 14 day of July, 2015. Edward D. Selich, Mayor 20-11 Leilani I. Brown, City Clerk Attachment: Exhibit 1 — Harbor Commission Recommended Anchorage Configuration 20-12 4-1 or vrr. %V'% Harbor Commission's �►,- / Final Recommendation **4: Al 16 t V T• r , +' DRi. �a -tj 70 - -ate T.. * 6 • ., .r - • tr �^„•� r iy AM Pr ' fF� N�: Final Recommendation K ;�;•. - i ® Existing Anchorage Footprint - , ,, 20-13 ATTACHMENT D CITY OF NEWPORT BEACH Public Works Department Harbor Resources Division June 19, 2015 Dear Property Owner/Resident Adjacent to the Turning Basin, Greetings! I am writing to inform you that the City Council will be considering a proposal recommended by the Harbor Commission to add a temporary anchorage in the Turning Basin area this summer. The Turning Basin is defined as the body of water surrounded by the western tip of Lido Isle, the greater Lido Marina Village area, the Newport Boulevard bridge, and the western portion of Pacific Coast Highway. An anchorage area is defined by four buoys, and vessels may anchor within those buoys for up to five days at a time (extensions allowed). The anchorage area rules and regulations are managed by the Harbor Patrol. At their June 8, 2015 meeting, the Harbor Commission recommended installing this temporary anchorage to augment the existing, primary anchorage which is located between the eastern tip of Lido Isle and Bay Island. The temporary anchorage in the Turning Basin would be installed for approximately 2-3 months this summer as a trial which would then be evaluated by the Harbor Commission and City Council at a later date. Depending on the outcome of this evaluation, a permanent anchorage could be pursued in the future. The City Council will be considering this proposal at their July 14, 2015 meeting, and you are invited to attend and provide comments. This meeting will be at: Newport Beach Civic Center Council Chambers 100 Civic Center Drive Newport Beach, CA 92660 Tuesday, July 14, 2015 7:00 PM If you have any questions, please feel free to contact either myself or Shannon Levin, Harbor Analyst, (949) 644-3041 or Shan nonOnewportbeachca.gov Thank you, /1*,r 1-ple✓ Chris Miller (949) 644-3043 cmiller(&_newportbeachca.aov City Hall 100 Civic Center Drive Post Office Box 1768 Newport Beach, California 92658-8915 www.newportbeachca.gov (949) 644-3001 20-14 C .0EneigD � � :b -ems' � � � e `' �r•y �� a '• �' 1, Wit r; ( ty_ ,I A T'._.� �r 't •. it, d - f . �i 1'•�.i7 1 � A As Lido Park • • V ,l}�� v s.• 9Proposed Anchorage Area City of Newport Bea, GIS Division May 21, 2015 20-15 Li L- --J--COAST HWY W D ff t MEME] a TURNING BASIN Ilion r I N YD' a, Proposed Visiting Anchorage Area - Notification = Notified Properties C4Rp— OR RD e C°qsT Nw Yw LIDO a p,& �SP_aW% City of Newport Beach GIS Di,,. an June 17, 4015 20-16 ATTACHMENT E Miller, Chris From: Robert Haselkorn <rh01@uchicago.edu> Sent: Tuesday, June 30, 2015 8:16 AM To: Miller, Chris Cc: Levin, Shannon Subject: anchorage in the Turning Basin Dear Mr. Miller and Ms. Levin I own an apartment in the 601 Lido building. I regret that I cannot attend the July 14 meeting. But I have had some experience watching anchoring outside our window and I do not like it. The anchoring I refer to is the 200 -foot monster that arrives from time to time for a few days. It has five decks and a hole that opens near the water level, spewing forth half a dozen speed boats in the style of James Bond. The proposal to add a temporary anchorage worries me. Five days, that can be extended, is a joke. How many times in one year can the same ship anchor there? Any limit on their activities? On what basis will temporary be changed to permanent? I enjoy watching the crews and sculls practice; will the anchored ships interfere with practices? On what basis did the Harbor Commission make their recommendation? Why not put the issue to a public vote? Yours, Robert Haselkorn 20-17 Temporary Anchorage in the Turning Basin Public Comments June 29, 2015 Voicemail from Ms. Virginia Crum at 601 Lido Park Drive. She is against the anchorage concept. 20-18