HomeMy WebLinkAbout18 - Santa Ana Heights Multi-Use Trail ImprovementsNEWPORT CITY OF
NEWPORT BEACH
C9C /Fp0.N`P City Council Staff Report
Agenda Item No. 18
September 11, 2012
TO: HONORABLE MAYOR AND MEMBERS OF THE CITY COUNCIL
FROM: City Manager's Office
Dave Kiff, City Manager
949 - 644 -3001, dkiff @newportbeachca.gov
PREPARED BY: Dave Kiff, City Manager
APPROVED: A
TITLE: Santa Ana Heights Multi -Use Trail Improvements
ABSTRACT:
The Multi -Use Trail in a portion of the Santa Ana Heights community is a horse, bike,
and walking trail that stretches down Cypress Street to Mesa Drive, then west to newly -
acquired land near where the Santa Ana -Delhi Channel enters Upper Newport Bay. A
large undergrounding project funded by redevelopment agency funds is nearing
completion in Santa Ana Heights, and the project includes improvements to the trail
system. An ongoing disagreement remains over whether one stretch of the trail that is
not yet constructed — the stretch from Cypress Street eastward along the south side of
Mesa Drive — should be completed at all.
RECOMMENDATION:
1. Find that the completion of the current undergrounding project, with the
recommended safety trail improvements that are fundable within the undergrounding
project, are appropriate and address the trail needs of the community; and
2. Find that no further trail construction will be commenced until the City Council funds
the additional work and directs staff to complete additional construction.
FUNDING REQUIREMENTS:
The current undergrounding project includes sufficient funding to make the trail
improvements suggested within this staff report. The additional cost to complete the
rest of the trail (along Mesa Drive between Cypress Street and the far eastern entrance
Santa Ana Heights Multi -Use Trail Improvements
September 11, 2012
Page 2
to Upper Newport Bay Regional Nature Preserve) is estimated to be between $250K to
$350K depending on the extent of the trail improvements.
DISCUSSION:
The current utility undergrounding project along Cypress Street and Mesa Drive in
Santa Ana Heights, funded entirely with Orange County Redevelopment Agency funds,
envisioned undergrounding all aerial utilities, repairing the roadways following
undergrounding, improving the look /safety of the existing multi -use trail system's
fencing, installing a crosswalk at the westerly side of the Cypress /Mesa intersection,
adding to the trail west of Cypress Street (about 300' of trail would link Cypress Street to
the existing trail along Mesa Drive), and adding curbs, gutters and sidewalk to the
inland side of Mesa Drive between Cypress Street and Jackass Alley. This project has
been underway since 2004. It has cost approximately $6.3 million and is nearing
completion.
There has long been a mildly- contentious neighborhood debate about another part of
Mesa Drive. The issue is whether to remove several encroachments and some on-
street parking spaces along Mesa Drive and to replace those encroachments and
parking with a networked multi -use trail (see Exhibit A — blue dashed area). The trail in
question would link two existing multi -use trails — one at the very eastern edge of Mesa
Drive near Bayview Avenue and the other stretching west of Cypress Street.
People in support of additional trail construction beyond the scope of funded
undergrounding project say:
• The trail is an existing component of the General Plan's circulation element as part
of the General Plan's Equestrian and Hiking Trails Master Plan (see Exhibit B).
• The trail is designated as a "local trail" in the Santa Ana Heights Specific Plan (see
relevant excerpts from the Specific Plan as adopted into the NB Municipal Code —
also Exhibit B)
• The trail would provide convenient and safe access to the Upper Bay's trails along
Mesa Drive, an area that is now commonly used for horse, walker, runner, and biker
transit.
• The encroachments by Mesa Drive property owners have been there a long time,
and the City has not charged these property owners anything for encroaching upon
the trail's right -of- way.
Santa Ana Heights Multi -Use Trail Improvements
September 11, 2012
Page 3
• The western entrance to the Upper Bay's trail network may someday be
compromised or limited by County flood control improvements at the Santa Ana -
Delhi Channel.
People who oppose constructing additional unfunded trails say:
• Additional trails are not necessary to access the Upper Bay's trail network safely —
going west on Mesa Drive past Cypress Street is a safe way, and will be even more
accessible when the link shown in dashed - yellow on the map is further improved.
• "Horse trails in front of properties devalue property."
• Santa Ana Heights' equestrian community is smaller than it once was, and growing
smaller over time as new property owners convert horse properties to large single -
family homes, making less need for the trail in the future. There are a small number
of horses that use this upper bay access route, traffic is light and the street is
available for equestrian use.
• Parking would be removed in an area where on- street parking is important.
While the blue dashed stretch of the Multi -Use Trail is in the City's General Plan, the
City of Newport Beach has not taken a formal position on funding the completion of this
portion of the Mesa Drive Trail. Council Member Rush Hill believes that, given current
community discussion about the completion of the undergrounding project and an
expectation of some type of final action regarding this stretch of the multi -use trail, the
City Council should make a formal determination about it.
Staff has offered a recommended action based on what has been approved and funded
today — the completion of the undergrounding project and safety improvements to the
trail. Other alternative actions include:
• Formally direct that the Cypress - Bayview Avenue section (blue dashed section) of
the trail be removed from the General Plan and Santa Ana Heights (SAH) Specific
Plan (r.,U Rty . FRiSSiOR has already beeR anted f„ a 8Rd the SAH cpedfiG PlaR
f„ rerneve the f.a❑ if the Gity eleAts to de se This item would not include
abandoning the existing street right -of -way. NOTE: The September 6, 2012 version
of this staff report incorrectly stated that the County had granted the City the ability
to amend the trail from the SAH Specific Plan. In a "Cooperative Agreement"
between the City and the County, this specific issue was heard and debated by the
City Council on October 10, 2006. The "permission" section was left in the
Agreement as it left the City Council because the section was inserted at the
County's request. Later, in the morning of October 24, 2006 at the Board of
Santa Ana Heights Multi -Use Trail Improvements
September 11, 2012
Page 4
Supervisors' level, the Board decided to remove all references to the SAH Specific
Plan in the final version of the Agreement. The Council then approved the Board's
revisions to the Cooperative Agreement in the evening of October 24, 2006. 1
apologize for the error.
• Formally direct staff to remove the encroachments and construct and complete the
trail (would include a budget amendment to complete the work).
• Formally direct staff to issue encroachment permits to the persons encroaching in
the right of way, collecting revenue from the encroachments and /or ensuring
appropriate indemnification for the City regarding the encroachments.
A Coastal Development Permit will be required to construct any new portion of the trail
that is located within the Coastal Zone. In addition, an amendment to the City's Coastal
Land Use Plan will be required to delete the trail from the General Plan and the SAH.
ENVIRONMENTAL REVIEW:
Staff recommends the City Council find this action is not subject to the California
Environmental Quality Act ( "CEQA ") pursuant to Sections 15060(c)(2) (the activity will
not result in a direct or reasonably foreseeable indirect physical change in the
environment) and 15060(c)(3) (the activity is not a project as defined in Section 15378)
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.
As noted within the staff report, however, if additional trail is completed (or deleted)
review under CEQA must occur concurrent with those projects and prior to
review /permitting by the California Coastal Commission.
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).
Submitted by:
ayl/�\
Dave Kiff, City Manager
Attachments: Exhibit A — Trail System Map
Exhibit B — Relevant Document Citations
Exhibit A — Cypress Street - Mesa Drive Trail System
c ,
r
QI' %
COQ /li , k{1 i
P
e, r
Santa Ana /Delhi Channel
Western Entrance to UNB Y
t-
-7P
R:
" .. Legend:
Improved Equestrian Trail
Improved Pedestrian Sidewalk
i Existing trail, improvements Planned /Underway
No improvements planned as part of current project ■ ■ ®� ■
Coastal Zone Boundary •
Improved Crosswalk Planned
•/
Eastern Entrance to UNB
Santa Ana Heights Multi -Use Trail Improvements
September 11, 2012
Page 6
Exhibit B — Relevant Document Citations
Newport Beach Municipal Code Section 20.90.730
Public Improvements
E. Recreation Improvements. The Recreation Plan is designed to enhance equestrian opportunities
within the specific plan area with appropriate connections between local and regional trail systems.
Exhibit 20.90 -9 identifies those recreational facilities planned within and adjacent to the specific plan area.
Elements of the Recreation Plan are as follows:
1. A local equestrian trail has been constructed along the west side of Cypress Street from the
north end of the street to Mesa Drive. As currently shown on the Recreation Plan, the trail would
continue west along the south side of Mesa Drive to just prior to Birch Street, where it turns south to
connect with the proposed regional trails along Upper Newport Bay and the Santa Ana -Delhi
channel. This local equestrian trail is also planned to extend east along Mesa Drive from Cypress
Street to the Irvine Coast Regional Trail (emphasis added).
l=.l IN. % r '
®+Iq rlil rli/NMM Teel
�.hpr.111.TmJ Mrw.r
®�.R..d ♦�eW r161,wrIN.11rYl
®0.gpwla(M IrE.,�i�Lpl
®(priwit
qi�aallq..,ri. n.�
®n.yora c....rwmrw
Santa Ana Heights Multi -Use Trail Improvements
September 11, 2012
Page 7
General Plan — Figure CE5 — Equestrian and Hiking Trails Master Plan
•
Up pt: N
NEWPORT -
SAY
Santa Ana Heights Multi -Use Trail Improvements
September 11, 2012
Page 8
County of Orange Master Planned Combination Map of
Regional Trails and Bikeways
Note: The above Master Plan Map does not show the "at issue" stretch of trail along
Mesa Drive as part of the regional trails and bikeways system — as noted in the Santa
Ana Heights Specific Plan, the proposed trail reach is a "local" trail.
yG�
m
U vl
O� G
eRISrOL ST
v
.Ara•
Santa OH�'�;
�� �2
,I
DEL MAR
UPPER
NEWPORT
BAY NATURE
ml
PRESERVE
Note: The above Master Plan Map does not show the "at issue" stretch of trail along
Mesa Drive as part of the regional trails and bikeways system — as noted in the Santa
Ana Heights Specific Plan, the proposed trail reach is a "local" trail.
Leilani
AGENDA
From: Valerie Bath [valbath @sbcglobal.net]
Sent: Tuesday, September 11, 2012 2:21 PM
To: 'Tim Stoaks'; 'Nancy Gardner'; Hill, Rush; 'Steve Rosansky'; Daigle, Leslie; 'Michael Henn'; Selich,
Edward
Cc: Dept - City Council; 'John Moorlach'; 'John Canalis'; 'Barbara Venezia'; 'Roger';
fmickadeit @ocregister.com; Kiff, Dave; Brown, Leilani; cashwho @aol.com;'Ron Bath'; 'Rob
Meadows'; 'Norberto Santo'; 'Sharon Somers - Hill'; 'Alyson Michie'; 'Sharron Stanul'; 'Stan Tkaczyk';
'Mike Smith'; 'Gary Hall'; 'Gary Golson'; 'Jayne Jones'; 'Loren Blackwood'; 'Mary Slouka'; 'Richard
Dayton'; 'Richard Moriarty'
Subject: Multipurpose Trail - Valerie Bath
Dear Honorable Council Members,
I am a homeowner at 2161 Mesa Drive. I am in support of the multi -use trail to extend along all of Mesa Drive. I
have an 8 year old equestrian daughter who rides the trails and I am concerned about the part of Mesa Drive where
the cars and horse riders are in close contact navigating their course. There are many riders and horses out here and
safety is my number one concern.
I spoke at the city council meeting about 10 years ago supporting the trail and I plan to speak again tonight. The trail
has been in the plans for years. The Bath family has owned 2161 Mesa Drive since 1952.
I am happy with the undergrounding of the wires and support the continuation of improvements to Mesa Drive.
Thank you.
I appreciation your consideration of extending the trail.
Respectfully,
Valerie Bath
Homeowner
2161 Mesa Drive
Newport Beach, CA 92660
"REDEIV DD 1A ER E1MDA
Brown, Leilani
PRINTEW, Po
From:
Tim Stoaks [timstoaks @sbcglobal.net]
Sent:
Monday, September 10, 2012 10:13 AM
To:
Nancy Gardner; Hill, Rush; Steve Rosansky; Daigle, Leslie; Michael Henn; Selich, Edward
Cc:
Dept - City Council; John Moorlach; John Canalis; Barbara Venezia; Roger;
fmickadeit @ocregister.com; Kiff, Dave; Brown, Leilani; cashwho @aol.com; Ron Bath; Val Bath; Rob
Meadows; Norberto Santo; Sharon Somers -Hill; Alyson Michie; Sharron Stanul; Stan Tkaczyk; Mike
Smith; Gary Hall; Gary Golson; Jayne Jones; Loren Blackwood; Mary Slouka; Richard Dayton;
Richard Moriarty
Subject:
NB - SAH Multipurpose Trail - Tim Stoaks Responce
Attachments:
SAH Accidents reported to City.pdf
September 9, 2012
Dear Mayor Gardner:
Nancy
Response to: Santa Ana Heights Multipurpose trail Improvements
In order to solve a problem, you first need to understand the problem, that includes speaking to trail experts,
neighbors, equestrian experts, and mapping the flow of trail traffic. From what 1 see this hasn't been done so the
solutions posed, are half an effort.
No final or draft plans have been shown to Mesa Dr. homeowners, we simple don't know what the
plan is.
2. Phone conversations with city staffers indicate improvements that are not consistent with the
contract agreement between the RDA -OC and the city. Its been suggested that construction of sidewalks,
private driveways and block fences at no cost to homeowners are the current plans. This is use of public
funds for private gain. The same was suggested during the pre undergrounding scoping and costing, and
determined the use of public funds for private gain was not allowed under law. The private hook up had to
be paid for by private homeowners [this was done]. If the city's current plans would be approved, then the
city should compensate the homeowners the cost that they were charged for the hook ups. [Back up for this
argument can be confirmed by SAHPAC meeting note and directly from the 2nd District Supervisor office then
Chief of Staff Mario Monario]
3. Staff recommendation does not address the common and usual path that the equestrian use. The
staff recommendation of only completing the westerly route is a incomplete plan. The common and usual
route is a "LOOP" which uses the westerly and easterly routes of Mesa Dr. [Nancy this is the route that you
took with the girls some time back].
4. Westerly route that the staff recommends "down Jack ass alley"
a. Is simply dangerous for some therapeutic riders and everyday riders due to the steep slope of
the road. Comments from the therapeutic instructors is that this creates a high risk to special need
riders.[does not meet ADA slope guidelines for public access/ Mesa Birch park was redesigned due to
this issue.]
b. Also, due to the golf course, an additional danger has been the overshooting of the golf ball
due to a lack of proper screening fence that is high enough to protect all that use the road.
c. Del -Hi channel is a undefined project and might ultimately take all access to the bay or
modify it so that the trail is not horse accessible. (County would not support the SAHPAC proposed
horse arena in this general area due to the engineering unknowns, thus the recommendation should
reflect that this condition is a burden to the recommendation and ultimately make it not a feasible
option some fate as the Arena].
d. Costal Commission approval of this Staff Recommendation. No mention that this
recommendation has coastal commission approvals as its is clearly in the coastal zone.
5. Currently there are 150 -170 horses in the REQ zoned residences. The need for horse property is
extremely high. This is due to young families moving into the community with the desire to have horses
available for their families.
6. Additional Community based 403(c) Nonprofit Therapeutic Riding clubs have develop programs
helping Handicap and special needs persons and kids. There are approximately 50 kids per week per
therapeutic riding teacher who use the trails. The children's handicaps range from blind, mentally
challenged, to Autistic. Their focus is on a broad range and combination of disabilities and physical
rehabilitation. Without the completion of the Easterly trail it causes the clubs to be at high risk of danger due
to the special needs.
7. The completion of the Trail system was a columniation of an aesthetic that was developed with the
character of the Fire House and Mesa /Birch park. The subcommittees of the SAHPAC have a vernacular of
the concrete split rail fence and Stone Ballards that were used in both of those projects. Many feel that the
neighborhood would have a unifying aesthetic and improve the value of homes in the community.
Please reconsider the recommendation of the staff on this due to the incomplete and inaccurate information that the
recommendation was done. Please consider completing the UUD 19 project with residents creating a transparent
processes. Also, completing as well as the multipurpose trail system as indicated in the SAH Specific plan and agreed
to in the SAH annexation agreement.
As you know the SAH Mesa Dr Multipurpose trail has been a passion of mine, after Morgan (then 8 years old) while
riding whit her friends got bucked off her horse due to a Fast moving car in front of The Rinker Estate.
Best;
Tim Stooks — 2181 Mesa Dr, Newport Beach Co. 714- 655 -7499
SAHPAC Chairman [Sunsetting]
Attachment - Emails reporting accidents to City Manager and others.
Mon, March 8. 2010 9:21:19 AM
SAH - Multi Purpose Trail
From: Tim Stoaks <timstoaks @sbcglobal.net>
View Contact
To: Dave Kiff <DKiff @newportbeachca.gov>
Cc: Barbara Venezia <bvonty @earthlink.net>
Dave,
Thought that I would get you in the loop on this issue. Well it looks like that the
neighborhood is going to possibly hire a Legal firm to help get the tail in the specific plar
on Mesa Dr constructed as agreed in the Annexation agreement. I would like this really
not to go to this route as its just going to cost money for both sides of the issue. Would
you be willing to meet with BV and myself to craft a plan that make this a possible good
thing rather than a battle?
BTW - Sunday afternoon I had full on Fire and paramedics in front of my house! We
had a car and a horse conflict.... Your guys took the little girl to the hospital! We just
have to do something ...we can't wait until someone gets killed!
Let me know how you want to proceed!
Ti h1
SAHPAC - Chairman - sahoac.com
Ainlair - Director - iwairrair.com
EQAC - Member - Community Advocate Dist 4
SAH - Another horse rider was injured!
From: Tim Stoaks <timstoaks @sbcglobal.net>
View Contact
To: Dave Kiff <DKiff @newportbeachca.gov>
Cc: David Hunt <dhunt @newportbeachca.gov >; mbeauchamp @newportbeachca.gov
HI Dave,
Well happened again ... Just wanted to inform ou that we had another Horse and Rider
injured on Mesa Dr again. hat akes 2 this ear and last ear I hope that you still
have this on your radar screen so that we have some action on it. I know that you and
Mr. Hunt were going to give notice to this critical problem.
Also, need some direction on the next phase of the undergrounding ... Street lights, curb
and gutter ... the city engineering still defers to you!
Thanks
TIM
From: "Hunt, David" <dhunt@newportbeachca.gov>
To: Tim Stoaks <timstoaks @sbcglobal.net>
Cc: "Kill, Dave" <DKiff @newportbeachca.gov>
Sent: Wed, March 10, 2010 2:59:42 PM
Subject: RE: SAH Specific plan
My pleasure.
From: Tim Stoaks [ mailto:timstoaks @sbcglobal.net]
Sent: Wednesday, March 10, 2010 2:58 PM
To: Hunt, David
Cc: Kiff, Dave
Subject: Re: SAH Specific plan
David,
Agreed, U.N. approach it is. Thanks for your attention to this matter
rim
Re: SAH UNDERGROUND
From: "Hill, Rush"
<rh it I @newportbeachca. gov>
View Contact
To: Tim <timstoaks @sbcglobal.net>
Hi Tim,
Sorry to hear about another accident. Hope all escaped injury!
Barbara V asked for some comments from me for an article she is working
on and I sent her my most current update day before yesterday. After I send
this short note off to you, I will forward my comments sent to Barbara.
Hope to see you soon. Sorry we were lacking one vote to get you on the
Charter Update Committee. You would have been a good participant and
had my support. Don't give up.
rush
Rush N. Hill, II
Councilman
Newport Beach District Three
RHill(cb NewportBeachCA.00v
Chairman
Newport Resource Management, Inc.
Rush @NRMservice.com
949/723 -7202
(For scheduling, please contact Alan Limon: Ala n(bNRMservice.com)
m" <timstoaks-6� s•bcuiobai.net> wrote:
> Hi Rush
> Is there anything to report from your meeting! Over the weekend we had
another horse -car accident! If there is anything I can do to help please let
me know!
> Tim
> Tim Stoaks
> Sent from Pad
> On May 9, 2012, at 8:05 PM, "Hill, Rush" <rhill()newportbeachca.00v>
wrote:
>> Hi Tim,
>> Dave Kiff and I are meeting next week to discuss the alternatives and
put together a plan of attack. I'll share our strategy once we have come
together on a direction we both feel will work for the neighborhood.
>> See you on the 17th if not before.
>> Rush