HomeMy WebLinkAboutCDP 00-47; Leucadia Drainage; Coastal Development Permit (CDP) (4)City of Carlsbad
Planning Department
PLANNING COMMISSION
NOTICE OF DECISION
April 23, 2001
Kipp Hefner, Engineer
City of Encinitas
505 S. Vulcan Avenue
Encintias, CA 92024
SUBJECT: CDP 00-47 - LEUCADIA DRAINAGE PROJECT
At the Planning Commission meeting of April 18, 2001, your application was considered. The
Commission voted 6-0 (Heineman Absent) to APPROVE your request. The decision of the Planning
Commission became final on April 18, 2001.
The time within which judicial review of this decision must be sought is governed by Code of Civil
Procedure, Section 1094.6, which has been made applicable in the City of Carlsbad by Carlsbad
Municipal Code 1.16. Any petition or other paper seeking judicial review must be filed in the appropriate
court not later than the ninetieth day following the date which this decision becomes final; however, if
within ten days after the decision becomes final a request for the record of the proceedings accompanied
by the required deposit in an amount sufficient to cover the estimated cost of preparation of such record,
the time within which such petition may be filed in court is extended to not later than the thirtieth day
following the date on which the record is either personally delivered or mailed to the party, or his attorney
of record, if he has one. A written request for the preparation of the record of the proceedings shall be
filed with the Planning Director, Michael J. Holzmiller, Secretary of the Planning Commission, 1635
Faraday Avenue, Carlsbad, CA 92008.
If you have any questions regarding the final dispositions of your application, please call the Planning
Department at (760) 602-4600.
Sincerely,
MICHAEL J. HOLZMILLER
Planning 'Director
MJH:EM:mh
Enclosed: Planning Commission Resolution No. 4957
1635 Faraday Avenue • Carlsbad, CA 92008-7314 • (760) 602-4600 • FAX (760) 602-8559 • www.ci.carlsbad.ca.us®
From: Eric Munoz
To: Diana Lilly
Subject: RE: Leucadia Drainage Project
Hi Diana
Just thought I would give you an update on this project. We ended up meeting in the field some weeks
ago and worked out all the details to go forward to our Planning Commission. We have conditioned our
coastal development permit (CDP 00-47) so that all the Encinitas and resource agency conditions apply
as appropriate. In addition, grading activities are limited to the September to October timeframe (with
limited abiliity to extend until November 15 with approval by City Engineer and affected resource
agencies), or; limited to the April 1 to just before Memorial Day timeframe.
The project exhibits reflect the proposed parking lot re-striping that will result in a net increase of 4 spaces;
and an storm overflow pipe for 50 year + storm flows is included in the project to prevent flooding of Coast
Highway 101 (Carlsbad Blvd) and corresponding threats to public safety.
So in summary, the project appears to adequately solve the drainage issues within Encinitas without any
environmental or beach access impacts to the Carlsbad portion of the project or the State Parks parking
lot.
At our field meeting were representatives from Encinitas, Carlsbad, Consultants and State Parks staff who
all voiced suppport for the current design of the project and acknowledged that all previous environmental
and Coastal issues have been successfully resolved.
So, thanks again for providing us with the necessary direction to have a successful field meeting and
conclude on this project's proposal.
CDP 00-47 will be considered by the Carlsbad Planning Commission on April 18, 2001. If you have any
questions, would like a final staff report, or anything else, please contact me via email or 760.602.4608.
After Commission action, the permit will follow standard submittal processes to your office (Coastal
Commission) for Notice of Final Action procedures, etc.
Thanks again Diana -
Eric Munoz
Senior Planner
City of Carlsbad
4/10/01
>» Diana Lilly <dlilly@coastal.ca.gov> 03/01/01 08:32AM >»
Sorry for the delay in responding your messages. The last day of the
Commission appeal period for the City's coastal development permit was
yesterday, and no appeals were received. Therefore, the City's action on
this permit is final.
The only remaining issue that I'm aware of with this project is that the
City of Carlsbad still has to issue a coastal permit for the project. The
only comments I have on the City of Carlsbad's permit is that all of the
components outlined in the City of Encinitas' permit regarding mitigation,
parking lot re-striping, etc., should be followed and clearly identified in
the permit. Also, the City should look at the timing of construction with
regarding to beach access-that is, construction should be arranged not to
conflict with the summer season. If summer season construction is required
(because of conflicts with nesting season restrictions), at the very least,
work should be prohibited during weekends and holidays during the summer.
The final issue is procedural. The City of Encinitas' first permit for this
project (CDP 99-133) was appealed by the Commission. So that we can close
out this appeal, I would appreciate it if the City would send me a letter
indicating that all rights to this permit have been surrendered, that permit
is no longer valid and withdrawn.
I don't think it's necessary at this time for me to attend an additional
meeting, but let me know if you disagree. I appreciate the time and work
both Encinitas and Carlsbad staff have put into this project. Please call
or e-mail me if anyone has any questions.
Diana Lilly
619-767-2370
—Original Message—
From: Kipp Hefner [mailto:KHEFNER@ci.encinitas.ca.us]
Sent: Wednesday, February 28, 2001 11:10 AM
To: Emuno(3>ci.carlsbad.ca.us
Cc: b.burkhart@att.net: Shamm@ci.carlsbad.ca.us: Alan Archibald;
Katherine Weldon; Leroy Bodas; Dlilly@coastal.ca.gov:
Lmceachern@coastal. ca.gov
Subject: Re: meeting date and time
Hi Eric-
We have Tuesday, March 6 at 9:00am as the time and date for the Leucadia
Drainage Project. We scheduled the meeting sooner based on your comments in
your e-mail yesterday that the March 8 date was pushing it for the April 4
Planning Commission meeting. Is this Tuesday date and time O.K. with you?
Please let me know. Thanks.
>» "Eric Munoz" <Emuno@ci.carlsbad.ca.us> 02/28/01 09:49AM >»
so is march 8 @ 10:30 the confirmed meeting time and date?
let me know
E.
CC: Kipp Hefner
;.'•• i.... 2001
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March 23, 2001
Eric Munoz
City of Carlsbad Planning Department
City of Carlsbad
1635 Faraday Avenue
Carlsbad, CA 92008-7314
Dear Mr. Munoz,
You requested Burkhart Environmental Consulting (EEC) to provide you with an opinion
regarding the environmental impacts which would result from adding a 50-year storm
.overflow pipe to the design of your Leucadia Lowflow Storm Drain Project. It is our
understanding this pipe is being added to project design as a result of City of Carlsbad
Conditions ,of Project Approval for the portion of the project located within their
jurisdiction at Carlsbad State Beach. They are requiring this overflow pipe be added to the
project in order to conduct high storm flows under the Highway 1 southbound lane and
into the median drainage to prevent storm overflows from disrupting roadway access.
The design for this pipe runs from the roadside bank at the northeast end of the second
detention basin at the State Beach at a slight angle northeast across and under the Highway
1 south bound lane to the highway median. This design is shown on City of Carlsbad
Planning Commission's Exhibit B for project number CUP 00-47, dated April 18, 2001.
On Tuesday March 13, 2001 a site meeting was held to review any additional
environmental impacts which might be caused by constructing or operating this overflow
pipe. Present at this meeting were Eric Munoz and Don Rideout representing City of
Carlsbad planning and environmental review staff, Kip Hefner and Alan Archibald
representing the City of Encinitas Engineering staff, and myself representing BEC. It was
determined by consensus at this meeting there would be no significant environmental
impacts resulting from the construction of this overflow pipe since its southwestern inlet
would be constructed in an area of bare ground recently cleared of exotic weed species and
presently containing only a few native shrubs found in such disturbance areas (Isocoma
veneta); and, its northeastern outlet in the median would be in an area covered by non-
Page 1 of 2
native ice plant (Carpobrotus edulis). In addition the City of Encinitas agreed to set specific
limits of work on the construction plans to assure there would be no damage to sensitive
wetland vegetations on either side of the road (see plans for the designation of these limits).
Finally, the City agreed to have a biologist present during construction to assure these
limits were staked properly and not violated.
EEC also considered the long-term potential fresh water impacts to native saltmarsh
habitats located in the median which might be caused by overflow through this pipe. It is
our judgement that flows through this pipe will cause no additional impacts beyond what
already exist since storm flows above the capacity of the detention basins currently pass
over the highway into the median. All this pipe does is route these flows under the
roadway so that they do not block traffic. In any case, it is unlikely such infrequent
freshwater overflows could permanently dilute the high soil salinity which assure salt
marsh survival in the median.
Based on this analysis, it is my opinion that the addition of this overflow pipe to the project
will cause no additional significant environmental impacts and that the wetland mitigation
and monitoring plan developed by EEC for this project, and presently permitted with the
California Department of Fish and Game, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, the Regional
Water Quality Control Board, and the California Coastal Commission (under Encinitas
jurisdictional review) will be adequate to mitigate all environmental impacts of this project.
Sincerely,
Brad Burkhart, Principal
Burkhart Environmental Consulting
Page 2 of 2
CITY OF CARLSBAD
ENGINEERING DEPARTMENT
LAND USE REVIEW
February 22, 2001
TO: SENIOR PLANNER-Eric Munoz
FROM: Senior Civil Engineer - Development Services Section
CDP 00-47: CITY OF ENCINITAS LEUCADIA DRAINAGE PROJECT
PROJECT REPORT AND CONDITIONS TRANSMITTAL
Engineering Department staff has completed the review of the above-referenced project and
are recommending:
X That the project be approved subject to the conditions as listed on the attached sheet.
That the project be denied for the following reasons:
X The following is a final Development Services Section project report for inclusion in the
staff report for this project.
DEVELOPMENT SERVICES SECTION
Project Report
PROJECT ID: CDP 00-47
PROJECT NAME: CITY OF ENCINITAS LEUCADIA DRAINAGE PROJECT
LOCATION: Carlsbad Blvd. from La Costa Ave. northerly approximately 2000 ft. and the south
parking lot at the South Carlsbad State Beach.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION: Modify the existing storm water retention basin and installation of an
over flow pipe.
ENGINEERING ISSUES AND DISCUSSION;
TRAFFIC AND CIRCULATION:
Projected Average Daily Traffic (ADT): NA.
A Traffic study was not required because there are no traffic impacts.
SEWER:
1
Sewer District: City of Carlsbad
Sewer EDU's Required: NA
Comment: This is a City of Encinitas CIP storm water project and will have no impact
on existing sewer facilities.
WATER:
Water District: Carlsbad Municipal Water District
GPD Required: NA
Comment: This is a City of Encinitas CIP storm water project and will have no impact
on existing water facilities.
SOILS & GRADING:
Quantities:
Cut: 4,225 cy Fill: 936 cy Export: 4,449 cy
Permit required: Right of way permit will be required. Grading permit requirements will
be administered by the City of Encinitas.
Off-site approval required: No
Hillside grading requirements met: Yes
Comment: There are no major grading issues associated with this project.
DRAINAGE AND EROSION CONTROL:
Drainage basin: D
Erosion Potential: Low
Comment: This is a major flood control project for the City of Encinitas. The
purpose of the project is to provide a drainage system to drain water along the San
Diego Northern Railroad and Highway 101 from approximately Marcheta Street
northerly through the City of Encinitas to the south end of South Carlsbad State
Beach. As proposed, the project will convey storm water at a 10 year storm
frequency rate of runoff. Storm water will be retained and allowed to percolate in
detention basins for 10 year frequency storms. An over flow pipe will be provided for
larger frequency storms such as a 50 or 100 year frequency storm. The over flow
pipe will prevent water from over toping Carlsbad Blvd. and will drain into the center
divide of Carlsbad Blvd. and then continue northerly to the mouth of Batiquitos
Lagoon
LAND TITLE:
Conflicts with existing easement: None
Easements dedication required: None
Site boundary coincides with land title: Yes
Comment: No major land title issues are associated with this project.
IMPROVEMENTS:
Off-site improvements: Most of this project is being constructed within the City of
Encinitas
Standard variance required: None
Comment: No major improvement issues are associated with this proposed project.
NOTE: Unless specifically stated in the condition, all of the following conditions must be met
prior to approval of a Coastal Development Permit.
General
1. Prior to hauling dirt or construction materials to or from any proposed construction site
within this project, Developer shall apply for and obtain approval from, the City Engineer
for the proposed haul route permit, right of way permit and traffic control plan.
Fees/Agreements
The City of Encinitas shall provide to the City Engineer, an acceptable document,
for maintaining the storm drain facilities that are apart of this project. The City of
Encinitas shall be solely responsible for the maintenance and operation of said
facilities
Grading
24. Prior to the issuance of a right of way permit, Developer shall submit to the City
Engineer proof that a Notice of Intention for the start of work has been submitted to the
State Water Resources Control Board.
25. Based upon a review of the proposed grading and the grading quantities shown
on the site plan, a right of way permit will satisfy the requirements of a grading
permit for this project. The City of Encinitas will be responsible for meeting the
grading requirements of the City of Carlsbad.
26. The City of Encinitas shall submit a grading plan, storm drain plan and traffic
control plan to the City of Carlsbad for review and approval. A separate signature
block will be provided for the Carlsbad City Engineer to sign and approve the
plans for work with in the City of Carlsbad.
Coastal Conditions
28. The right of way permit shall limit all grading activities to be completed by October
1st. Grading activities shall be limited to the "dry season", April 1st to October 1st of each
year. Grading activities may be extended to November 15th upon written approval of the
City Engineer, obtained in advance, and only if all erosion control measures are in place
by October 1st.
Dedications/Improvements
40. Prior to issuance of the right of way permit, the applicant shall submit for City approval
a "Storm Water Pollution Prevention Plan (SWPPP)". The SWPPP shall be in
compliance with the current requirements and provisions established by the San Diego
Region of the California Regional Water Quality Control Board. The SWPPP shall
address measures to reduce to the maximum extent possible storm water pollutant
runoff at both construction and post-construction phases of the project. At a minimum,
the Plan shall:
1) Identify existing and post-development on-site pollutants.
2) Recommend source control Best Management Practices (BMPs) to filter said
pollutants.
3) Establish specific procedures for handling spills and routine clean up. Special
considerations and effort shall be applied to City employee education on the proper
procedures for handling clean up and disposal of pollutants.
4) Ensure long-term maintenance of all post construct BMPs in perpetuity.
5) Identify how post-development runoff rates and velocities from the site will not
exceed the pre-development runoff rates and velocities to the maximum extent
possible. If maintaining post-development rates at pre-development levels cannot
be achieved, adequate justification subject to the City Engineer's approval must be
provided.
Code Reminder
The project is subject to all applicable provisions of local ordinances, including but not limited to
the following:
49. Developer shall exercise special care during the construction phase of this project to
prevent offsite siltation. Planting and erosion control shall be provided in accordance
with Carlsbad Municipal Code Chapter 15.16 (the Grading Ordinance) to the satisfaction
of the City Engineer.
From: "Kipp Hefner" <KHEFNER@ci.encinitas.ca.us>
To: <b.burkhart@att.net>, <Emuno@ci.carlsbad.ca.us>
Date: 1/29/01 1:46PM
Subject: Re: CDP 00-47 - Encinitas Low Flow
Hi Eric-
Sorry for not getting back to you sooner regarding this list, but this is the first time I have seen this. The
following is a status of the things you have asked for:
1. Plot City boundary on all exhibits...! am having the City boundary plotted on the plans this week.
2. Show Carlsbad Blvd at least to centerline on all exhibits....! am having the City boundary plotted on the
plans this week.
3. Show all of the grading on the south slope....We are revising the grading plan to keep it away from the
Torrey Pine and most of the south slope.
4. Need to see plans of (approved?) project above the parking lot...I will mail you a copy of the plans
today.
5. Plot powerpoles and lines on all exhibits....Powerpole is shown on the plans. I am not aware of another
powerpole in the State Park area.
6. Plot existing trees on slope including large Torrey Pine - may need mitigation per CEQA; any ideas on
this by City of Encinitas?....Trees already shown on the plans. We are revising the grading plan to stay
away from the Torrey Pine so there will not be a need for additional mitigation measures.
7. Need Hydro report; will flow always be low? Frequency and capacity issues....Hydrology Report was
given to Skip Hamman in Carlsbad Engineering Department. Let me know if you want a copy also.
8. Elevated island and surrounding "moat" issue within the basin; need to review reports submitted to
verity no impacts....We have already given you a copy of the Wetlands Deliniation Report and the
Biological Assesment Report which should answer these concerns. If you need more copies of these
reports let me know and I will send them to you.
9. Need to check Parking Plan to review new layout and ability for emergency vehicles to access the site
and any Engineering standards....! sent you revised parking lot plans back on September 19. Do you
need another copy? If so, let me know and I will send it to you.
10. Need to review the history of the parking lot and past City involvement since it is a State Parks facility.
11. Cross-city grading permit issue....Please let me know what we need to do to get a grading permit from
Carlsbad.
Eric, please let me know if there is anything else you need. I will send you revised plans which address
your and Skip's concerns once we are finished with them which should be by the end of this week. I want
to avoid having this Coastal application expire like the last one so please let me know if there is anything
else you need from me. We want to have this out to bid by this Spring if possible. Thanks for your help.
>» "Eric Munoz" <Emuno@ci.carlsbad.ca.us> 01/25/01 11:37AM >»
Skip
As a follow-up to our field visit, the following comments are provided. Perhaps we should meet with Kip
next week sometime.
1. Plot City boundary on all exhibits.
2. Show Carlsbad Blvd at least to centerline on all exhibits
3. Show all of the grading on the south slope.
4. Need to see plans of (approved?) project above the parking lot
5. Plot powerpoles and lines on all exhibits
6. Plot existing trees on slope including large Torrey Pine - may need mitigation per CEQA; any ideas on
this by City of Encinitas?
7. Need Hydro report; will flow always be low? Frequency and capacity issues.
8. Elevated island and surrounding "moat" issue within the basin; need to review reports submitted to
verity no impacts.
9. Need to check Parking Plan to review new layout and ability for emergency vehicles to access the site
and any Engineering standards
10. Need to review the history of the parking lot and past City involvement since it is a State Parks facility.
11. Cross-city grading permit issue
Some of these items are for staff to review; others are for applicant to address (City of Encinitas).
Please note that technically the application has been deemed complete in the spirit of cross-city
cooperation; however, rapid resolution of all issues is necessary to move the project to public hearing
within mandated timeframes.
I can be reached at 602-4608 or via email reply with any ?'s.
Thanks
EM
10/17/00
CC: "Alan Archibald" <AARCH.CIVIC.monks@ci.encinitas.ca.us>, "Leroy Bodas"
<LBODAS.CIVIC.monks@ci.encinitas.ca.us>
From: Eric Munoz
To: Skip Hammann
Subject: CDP 00-47 - Encinitas Low Flow
Skip
As a follow-up to our field visit, the following comments are provided. Perhaps we should meet with Kip
next week sometime.
1. Plot City boundary on all exhibits.
2. Show Carlsbad Blvd at least to centerline on all exhibits
3. Show all of the grading on the south slope.
4. Need to see plans of (approved?) project above the parking lot
5. Plot powerpoles and lines on all exhibits
6. Plot existing trees on slope including large Torrey Pine - may need mitigation per CEQA; any ideas on
this by City of Encinitas?
7. Need Hydro report; will flow always be low? Frequency and capacity issues.
8. Elevated island and surrounding "moat" issue within the basin; need to review reports submitted to
verity no impacts.
9. Need to check Parking Plan to review new layout and ability for emergency vehicles to access the site
and any Engineering standards
10. Need to review the history of the parking lot and past City involvement since it is a State Parks facility.
11. Cross-city grading permit issue
Some of these items are for staff to review; others are for applicant to address (City of Encinitas).
Please note that technically the application has been deemed complete in the spirit of cross-city
cooperation; however, rapid resolution of all issues is necessary to move the project to public hearing
within mandated timeframes.
I can be reached at 602-4608 or via email reply with any ?'s.
Thanks
EM
10/17/00
DATE: OCTOBER 10, 2000
TO: SKIP HAMMANN
FROM: ERIC MUNOZ
REVISED PARKING LOT FOR ENCINITAS LOW FLOW
PROJECT-CDP 00-47
Please review the attached site plan for the above project. There is
apparently a net gain of 4 spaces. Are there any Engineering standards
issues with it? Can it be recommended for approval given Encinitas
maintenance of the basin? The Coastal Commission staff and State Parks
staff have also been given a copy of this site plan. Absent any significant
concern on their part, and any Engineering issues you might raise, we can
process toward a Planning Commission hearing.
See me with any ?'s. If possible, please provide comments by October 17,
2000.
EM
10/10/00
City of Carlsbad
Planning Department
October 6, 2000
Kip Hefner
City of Encinitas - Engineering Department
505 S. Vulcan Avenue
Encinitas, CA 92024
SUBJECT: CDP 00-47 - LEUCADIA DRAINAGE
Thank you for applying for Land Use Permits in the City of Carlsbad. The Planning
Department has reviewed your Coastal Development Permit, application no. CDP 00-47, as
to its completeness for processing.
The application is complete, as submitted. Although the initial processing of your
application may have already begun, the technical acceptance date is acknowledged by the
date of this communication. The City may, in the course of processing the application,
request that you clarify, amplify, correct, or otherwise, supplement the basic information
required for the application. In addition, you should also be aware that various design
issues may exist. These issues must be addressed before this application can be
scheduled for a hearing. The Planning Department will begin processing your application
as of the date of this communication.
Please contact your staff planner, Eric Munoz, at (760) 602-4608, if you have any
questions or wish to set up a meeting to discuss the application.
MICHAEL/). HOLZMILLER
Planning Director
MJH:EM:cs
Don Rideout -Team Leader
Skip Hammann - Project Engineer
Data Entry
Planning Aide
1635 Faraday Avenue • Carlsbad, CA 92008-7314 • (760) 602-4600 • FAX (760) 602-8559 • www.ci.carlsbad.ca.us
No. CDP 00-47
ISSUES OF CONCERN
Planning:
1. Planning staff would like to hear about the Coastal Commission staff and State
Parks staff comments on the revised parking lot layout.
2. A basic assumption with this project is that the City of Encinitas will coordinate
with the land owner (State Parks) to ensure long term maintenance to the
satisfaction of Carlsbad's Public Works Director
Engineering:
1. See above.
MEMORANDUM
TO: Mike Wells, State Parks Department
Lee McEachern, California Coastal Commission
Eric Munoz, City of Carlsbad
FROM: Kipp Hefner, City of Encinitas
SUBJECT: Parking Lot Design-Carlsbad State Beach (Leucadia Drainage Project)••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••i
Enclosed with this memorandum please find the following items:
1. Existing parking layout at Carlsbad State Beach
2. Proposed improvements to the parking lot at Carlsbad State Beach
We have finished the preliminary plan for the restriping/improvements to the parking lot at
Carlsbad State Beach. As can be seen by comparing the existing parking lot layout with the
proposed parking lot layout there is a net gain of 4 parking spaces with the proposed
improvements to the parking lot. Please review the proposed improvements to the Carlsbad
State Beach parking lot and make any comments. Please let the City know if you approve of
the proposed improvements or if you have any comments by Friday, September 29,2000.
Thanks for your help on this project, and for your attention to this matter. If you have any
questions feel free to contact me at (760)633-2775.
Cc Leroy Bodas
KathyWeldon
Lowflow Storm Drain Project
Grading/ Installation Recommendations
Desiltation and Overflow Pipe Elements
Located With the City of Carlsbad, CA
Because the Desiltation Basin part of the project and its associated overflow pipe under
Highway 1 are located in the City of Carlsbad and will impact sensitive biological
resources, the following restrictions apply to installation of these elements of the plans:
Grading
1. To meet City of Carlsbad Conditions of Project Approval, the contractor shall not
perform contract grading activities from October 1st until April 1st for all portions of the
work within the City of Carlsbad (the detention basin and overflow pipe); except that if
grading is already started in these areas before October 1st an extension may be granted
upon written approval of the City of Carlsbad Engineer to extend grading activities until
November 15th.
Grubbing
To meet project California Department of Fish and Game 1601 permit conditions, no
grubbing shall be conducted between March 15 and July 31 to avoid disturbance of
nesting bird species. However, grading work may be carried out during this restricted
period if grubbing of the site has been completed before it begin.
In addition, the Carlsbad State Beach Park has required that no construction activities
take place in the Carlsbad areas during the high use summer months ending after Labor
Day weekend
To meet these various restrictions, the Contractor shall construct all elements of the
project located in the City of Carlsbad between September 4th and October 1st with
potential extension to November 15th by approval of the Carlsbad City Engineer.
Alternatively the contractor may carry out grading activities from April 1st to just before
the Memorial Day Weekend if the site has been brushed and grubbed prior to the start of
the bird nesting season on March 15th.
Summary Alternatives Analysis
Leucadia Low Flow Storm Drain System Project
Project Description
The project proposes to connect three surface drainage corridors to an existing
underground drain system at three sites.
The Site I drainage runs east of the railroad tracks and west of Vulcan Avenue from north
of Encinitas Boulevard to Basil Street and is a shallow open channel/culvert system. This
system collects runoff from a portion of the railroad corridor and Union Street, Orpheus
Avenue, and Vulcan Avenue at the down stream (south) end.
The Site 2 drainage begins just south of Basil and Coast Highway 101 and runs north to
South Carlsbad State Beach. This low flow trunk line collects runoff from several sumps
west of coast Highway 101 and the highway itself along with runoff from Site I.
The Site III drainage is east of the railroad tracks and starts 200 feet north of Leucadia
Boulevard and runs north to La Costa Avenue. This site is comprised of an open shallow
drainage channel that runs parallel to and just east of the railroad tracks. Figures 1 & 2 in
the wetland mitigation plan show project location.
The new system will connect all sites by means of a new underground pipe under the
railroad tracks into a new 24" low flow trunk line parallel Coast Highway 101. This new
low flow storm drain discharges into two detention/percolation basins at South Carlsbad
State Beach.
The project will not increase peak inflow or outflow rates to the detention basins since
both the inflow and outflow pipe sizes will remain the same; but, the amount and length
of flow to the basins will be greater during peak storm events. Detention Basin 1 is
proposed to be enlarged to hold these increased flows during peak runoff periods.
Oil/water separators will be installed on all proposed and existing inlets to the new
system to control pollutant and sediment contaminants to water quality. By these means
the City will bring the drainage into compliance with stormwater and urban runoff
requirements established by the California Regional Water Quality Control Board and the
Federal Clean Water Act.
The City of Encinitas looked at a number of project alternatives in arriving at final
project design which focused on causing the least environmentally damaging project
impacts while still achieving the urgent flood control needs of the project. These
alternatives are summarized and reviewed below:
Page 1 of3
Project Alternatives
Before final design was arrived at for this project several alternatives were examined.
These alternatives are discussed below. The preferred alternative was chosen based
choosing a project which created the least disturbance to sensitive native vegetation
covers near the outfall basins and at the same time fell within reasonable budget
parameters for the City to implement.
Alternate I; No Project
This would consist of only maintenance of the existing system, replacement of the pump
station (since a more reliable system is required), and replacement of deteriorated
sections of present drainage pipe. Project Sites 1, 2, 3 would remain unchanged as to
water quality or public health standards. Most importantly this alternative would not
solve the dangerous flooding which occurs at these sites on residential streets during peak
storm events.
Alternate II- Proposed Project Plus Diversion of
Drainage Area 2 to Cottonwood Creek
This alternate would divert drainage Area 2 (east of railroad and south of Leucadia Blvd.)
in a culvert drainage south to cottonwood creek at 3rd and B Streets. The rest of the
proposed project would remain unchanged. This alternative would cost an additional
$725,000 over the proposed project.
Alternate Ill-Diversion of Storm Flows to Sanitary Sewers
Divert runoff to a sanitary sewer. This alternative would require a new sanitary sewer
collection system as the present City/ Leucadia Sanitary District system has reached
capacity to transport the present sewage flows generated in this project area. The capital
cost in addition to the ongoing treatment and pumping cost make this alternative
infeasible as it could not be funded under present resources.
Alternate IV- Create Overflow Pipe From Detention Basin 1 Directly
to Batiquitos Lagoon
Because there will be increased flows to Detention Basin 1 caused by the connection of
additional drainage areas to its inflow pipe, there is a danger that during peak storm
events flows to Basin 2 might become great enough to cause damage to sensitive
foredune plant species which occur around the basin. Therefore, an alternative was
initially looked at whereby an overflow pipe would conduct these additional flows
directly from Basin 1 to Batiquitos Lagoon (where the current drainage system
terminates). This outlet pipe would terminate on its north end with a oil/water separation
and a flap gate to protect against tidal inflow. This outlet pipe would allow Basin 2 to
function on a sound environmental basis during extreme weather conditions. This
approach guarantees the integrity of Basin 2 and the protection of the sensitive biological
resources. This alternative would cost an additional $180-200,000 or less than 5% of
project overall cost. This alternative was not considered feasible since it would have
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required placing the overflow pipe through sensitive saltmarsh habitat areas which have
potential to be nesting habitat for the endangered Belding's Savanna Sparrow.
Alternate V - Proposed Project
The proposed project would continue to empty all drainage from the expanded drainage
area into the existing detention basins near the South Carlsbad State Beach. However, in
order to solve the problem of excessive flows to Basin 2 which might threaten the
survival of sensitive southern foredune plant species along its edges, this alternative
proposes to enlarge Basin 1 sufficiently to temporarily hold all new excess 10 year storm
flows to in the basin until it either percolates into the basin bottom soils or flows into the
Basin 2 area at the same rate it currently leaves the site. Outflow from Basin would be
controlled by means of pipe sizing (to remain the same) and a new standpipe which
would let only existing flows pass through it.
All proposed project alternatives anticipate the inclusion of oil separators and debris
filters at all inlet connection to decrease urban pollutants entering the system and thereby
address new water quality standards set by the Regional Water Quality Control Board
and the Federal Clean Water Act.
Recommendation
It is recommended that Alternative V be selected: the proposed project plus the expansion
of Detention Basin 1 to temporarily hold all increased flows in the system. This
Alternative would provide positive protection for the sensitive resources located within
Basin 2, minimize wetland impacts needed to dispose of additional storm flow, and
largely solve the dangerous flooding problems created in the present drainage system
during peak storm events. The No Project Alternative is not defensible because it
continues to create dangerous roadway flooding during storm events. The cost for adding
the environmental protection for the Basin 2 area is also within acceptable budgeting
levels.
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