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HomeMy WebLinkAbout1993-07-21; Planning Commission; Resolution 3528I1 0 0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 PLANNING COMMISSION RESOLUTION NO. 3528 A RESOLUTION OF THE PLANNING COMMISSION OF THE CITY OF CARLSBAD, CALIFORNIA APPROVING A CONDITIONAL, NEGATIVE DECLARATION FOR A PLANNING COMMISSION DETERMINATION AND GENERAL PLAN CONSISTENCY FOR A STUDY OF THE ULTIMATE ALIGNMENT OF ADAMS STREET BETWEEN HARRISON STREET AND PARK DRIVE NORTH OF THE AGUA HEDIONDA LAGOON, IN THE NORTHWEST QUADRANT OF THE CITY, IN LOCAL FACILITIES MANAGEMENT PLAN ZONE 1. CASE NAME: ADAMS STREET ALIGNMENT STUDY CASE NO: PCD/GPC 93-03 WHEREAS, the Planning Commission did on the 21st day of July, 1993, hol lo I/ a duly noticed public hearing as prescribed by law to consider said request, and 11 WHEREAS, at said hearing, upon hearing and considering all testimony an 12 arguments, examining the initial study, analyzing the information submitted by staff, an l3 // considering any written comments received, the Planning Commission considered all facto] 14 15 relating to the Conditional Negative Declaration. 16 /I NOW, TMEREFORE, BE IT HEREBY RESOLVED by the Planning Commissiol lr /i as follows: I.8 II A) That the foregoing recitations are true and correct. 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 B) That based on the evidence presented at the public hearing, the Plannin Commission hereby APPROVES the Conditional Negative Declaratio according to Exhibit "MND", dated May 13, 1993, and "PII", dated April 2: 1993, attached hereto and made a part hereof, based on the followin findings: Findin@: 1. The initial study shows that the proposed project could have a significant impact c the environment, however, there will be no significant impact in this case becau: The mitigation measures described in the initial study have been added to tl project. .... i 28 0 0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 2. There are no sensitive resources located onsite or located so as to be significant impacted by this project provided that the mitigation conditions of approval a complied with. 3. Construction of a majority of the roadway improvements would procel incrementally as future development of the vacant parcels along Adams Stre occurs. All future development along the roadway would require furth environmental review as part of required discretionary development permits (i. tentative maps, parcel maps, conditional use permits, grading permits, etc.). As pz of this subsequent review, additional and detailed project specific environmen~ impact analysis and mitigation may be required. Conditions: 1. This project, if approved, is subject to all conditions contained in Planni; Commission Resolution No. 3529. 2. Prior to approval of a tentative map, tentative parcel map, grading permit, and 0th required discretionary permits for a project within the site boundaries of SDM-i 130, a cultural resource testing program shall be conducted by a qualific archaeologist. Depending on the results of the significance evaluation, a da recovery program or preservation plan shall be implemented at the affected site, the satisfaction of the Planning Director. 3. Prior to approval of a tentative map, tentative parcel map, grading permit, and 0th required discretionary permits for a project impacting coastal sage scrub habitat the California gnatcatcher the following mitigation measures are required to insu that development and construction activities minimize or totally avoid impacts the remaining habitat and resident plant and wildlife species adjacent to Ada Street between Harrison Street and Park Drive. a. The edge of the road adjacent to coastal sage scrub should be sandbagged reduce sedimentation effects to the lagoon and run-off or erosion through t patches of coastal sage scrub. b. Prior to commencement of construction activities, a focused gnatcatch survey shall be conducted (between December and April) to identify tl number and location of birds adjacent to the proposed roadw: improvements. The surveys should be performed following the guidelin developed by Mock, Jones, and Konecny (1 990), and on file in the Plannir Department. .... PC RES0 NO. 3528 -2- 28 e 0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 a 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 c. If gnatcatchers are present, construction activities that exceed noise levels t 60 dBA at identified localities of gnatcatchers shall be scheduled to avo: gnatcatcher breeding season (15 February through 15 August). d. The California Native Plant Society, California Department of Fish and Gam or other resource agency should be contacted prior to grading to inqui whether they are interested in salvaging the individuals of Californ adolphia and wart-stemmed ceanothus that would be lost through tl roadway improvements. 4. The applicant shall receive approval of the following permits prior to issuance of final map, grading permit, or building permit, whichever occurs first: i) Coastal Development Permit issued by the California Coastal Commission ( successor in interest; ii) Any other permit that may be required by federal resource agencies or 0th responsible state agencies, including the United States Fish and Wildli Service and the California Department of Fish and Game. 5. All retaining walls along the roadway shall be of a crib wall type design and sh be planted with vegetation along the wall. 6. All projects along the Adams Street Alignment Study Area shall comply with tl City's requirements of the National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDE! permit. The applicant shall provide best management practices to reduce surfal pollutants to an acceptable level prior to discharge to sensitive areas. Plans for su( improvements shall be approved by the City Engineer prior to approval of a fin map, or issuance of grading or building permit, whichever occurs fist. 18 .... 19 .... 20 21 22 23 24 .... .... .... .... 25 11 .-.. 26 27 PC RES0 NO. 3528 -3- 28 I! ll Q 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 a 0 PASSED, APPROVED, AND ADOPTED at a regular meeting of the Plan& Commission of the City of Carlsbad, California, held on the 21st day of July, 1993, by tl following vote, to wit: AYES: Chairperson Noble, Commissioners: Schlehuber, Bel Welshons, Savary, Erwin & Hall. NOES: None. ABSENT: None. ABSTAIN: None. ! ATTEST: &x BAILEY NOBfE, Chairperson CARLSBAD PLANNING COMMISSION \ PLANNING DIRECTOR PC RES0 NO. 3528 4- e e CONDITIONAL NEGATTVJZ DECLARATION PROJECT ADDRESS/LOCATION: Adams Street between Harrison Street and Park Drive in the City of Carlsbad. PROJECT DESCRIPTION: The project consists of an alignment study to evaluate the ultimate alignment of Adams Street between Harrison Street and Park Drive located north of the Aqua Hedionda Lagoon. The alignment study evaluated the following items; (1) widening of the road to special hillside collector standards - 60 foot right-of-way with a 34 foot curb-to-curb width; (2) the provision for curbs, gutters, bike lanes and sidewalks; (3) reconfiguration of the T-intersection at Highland Drive and Adams Street; (4) several alternative alignment proposals; and (5) construction phasing of the improvements. The City of Carlsbad has conducted an environmental review of the above described project pursuant to the Guidelines for Implementation of the California Environmental Quality Act and the Environmental Protection Ordinance of the City of Carlsbad. As a result of said review, a Conditional Negative Declaration (declaration that the project will not have a significant impact on the environment) is hereby issued for the subject project. Justification for this action is on file in the Planning Department. A f the Conditional Negative Declaration with supportive documents is on file in the F. Department, 2075 Las Palmas Drive, Carlsbad, California 92009. Comments from tX ic are invited. Please submit comments in writing to the Planning Department W 30 days of date of issuance. -If you have any questions, please call Jeff Gibson in th . .&g Department at (619) 438-1161, extension 4455. DATED: . ' MAY 13, 1993 CASE NO: PCD 93-01 Planning Director ASE NAME: ADAMS STREET ALIGNMENT STUDY PUBLISH DATE: MAY 13,1993 JG:krn 2075 La?. ?>.?!mas Drive - Ca-lsbad, California 92009-1576 (619) 438-1 161 e 0 ENVlRONMENTAL WACT ASSESSMENT FORM - PART II (TO BE,COMPLETED BY THE PLANNING DEPARTMENT) BACKGROUND CASE NO. PCD 93 DATE: APRIL 27. 1$ 1. CASE NAME: Adams Street Aliment Studv 2. APPLICANT: Citv of Carlsbad 3. ADDRESS AND PHONE NUMBER OF APPLICANT: 2075 Las Palmas Drive Carlsbad. CA 92009 ' (619)438-1161 4. DATE EIA FORM PART I SUBMITTED: April 9.1993 5. PROJECT DESCRIPTION: The proiect consists of an aliment studv to evaluate the ultimate alim of Adams Street between Hamson Street and Park Drive located north of the Aaua Hedionda Lano The aliment studv evaluated the followinn items: (1) wideninn of the road to special hillside collec standards - 60 foot right-of-wav with a 34 foot curb-to-curb width: (2) the Drovision for curbs, mttc bike lanes and sidewalks: (3) reconfirruration of the T-intersection at Hinhland Drive and Adams Strc 14) several alternative aliment proposals: and (5) construction phasinn of the improvements. ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACTS STATE CEQA GUIDELINES, Chapter 3, Article 5, section 15063 requires that the City conduct an Environmental Imx Assessment to determine if a project may have a significant effect on the environment. The Environmental ImE Assessment appears in the following pages in the form of a checklist. This checklist 8 identifies any physical, biolog and human factors that might be impacted by the proposed project and provides the City with information to use as basis for deciding whether to prepare an Environmental Impact Report or Negative Declaration. . * A Negative Declaration may be prepared if the City perceives no substantial evidence that the project or- any oj aspects may cause a significant effect on the environment. On the checklist, "NO" will be checked to indicate I determination. * An EIR must be prepared if the City determines that there is substantial evidence that any aspect of the project I: cause a sirmificant effect on the environment. The project may qualify for a Negative Declaration howevel adverse impacts are mitigated so that environmental effects can be deemed insiwificant. These findings are sho in the checklist under the headings YES-sign and YES-insig" respectively. A discussion of potential impacts and the proposed mitigation measures appears at the end .of the form k DISCUSSION OF ENVIRONMENTAL EVALUATION. Particular attention should be given to discussing mitigation impacts which would otherwise be determined sigmficant. 0 e PHYSICAL ENVIRONMENT WILL THE PROPOSAL DIRECTLY OR INDIRECTLY: 1, Result in unstable earth conditions or increase the exposure of people or property to geologic hazards? YES big1 - 2. Appreciably change the topography or any unique physical features? - 3. Result in or be affected by erosion of soils either on or off the site? - 4. Result in changes in the deposition of beach sands, or modification of the channel of a river or stream or the bed of the ocean or any bay, inlet or lake? 5. Result in substantial adverse effects on ambient air quality? - - 6. Result in substantial changes in air movement, odor, moisture, or temperature? - 7. Substantially change the course or flow of water (marine, fresh or flood waters)? - 8. , Affect the quantity or quality of surface water, ground water or public water supply? 9. Substantially increase usage or cause depletion of any natural resources? - - 10. Use substantial amounts of.fuel or energy? - 11. Alter a significant archeological, paleontological or historical site, structure or object? - ... -2- YES (insig) - X - - - - - - X NO X - X x X X X - X X X - a e BIOLOGICAL ENVIRONMENT WILL THE PROPOSAL DIRECTLY OR INDIRECTLY: YES big) 12. Affect the diversity of species, habitat or numbers of any species of plants (including trees, shrubs, grass, microflora and aquatic plants)? 13. Introduce new species. of plants into an area, or a barrier to the normal replenishment of existing species? 14. Reduce the amount of acreage of any agricultural crop or affect prime, unique or other farmland of state or local importance? 15. Affect the diversity of species, habitat or numbers of any species of animals (birds, land animals, all water dwelling organisms and insects? 16. Introduce new species of animals into an area, or result in a barrier to the migration or movement of animals? - - HUMANENVIRONMENT WILL THE PROPOSAL DIRECTLY OR INDIRECTLY: YES (si@ 17. Alter the present or planned land. use of an area? - 18. Substantially affect public utilities, schools, police, fire, emergency or other public services? - - -3- YES NO (insig) X - X X - X X - YES NO (insig) X - X - - a 0 HUMANENVIRONMENT WILL THE PROPOSAL DIRECTLY OR INDIRECTLY: YES (sig) 19. Result in the need for new or modified sewer systems, solid waste or hazardous waste control systems? - 20. Increase existing noise levels? - 21. Produce new light or' glare? - 22.. Involve a significant risk of an explosion . or the release of hazardous substances (including, but not limited to, oil, pesticides, chemicals or radiation)? 23. Substantially alter the density of the human population of an area? 24. Affect existing housing, or create a demand for additional housing? - - - 25. Generate substantial additional traffic? - 26. Affect existing parking facilities, or create a large demand for new parking? 27. Impact existing transportation systems or alter present patterns of circulation or movement of people and/or goods? - - 28. Alter waterborne, rail or air traffic? - 29. Increase traffic hazards to motor vehicles, bicyclists or pedestrians?. 30. Interfere with emergency response plans or emergency evacuation plans? 31. Obstruct any scenic vista or create an aesthetically offensive public view? 32. Affect the quality or quantity of existing recreational opportunities? - - - - 4- YES (ins ig) - - - - - - - - - - - X - - NO X X - X - X X X X - X X X - - X X - X 0 m MANDATORY FINDINGS OF SIGNIFICANCE WILL THE PROPOSAL DIRECTLY OR INDIRECTLY: YES YES NO big) (insig) 33. Does the project have the potential to substantially degrade the quality of the environment, substantially reduce the habitat of a fish or wild- life species, cause a fish or wildlife population to drop below self-sustaining levels, threaten to eliminate a plant or animal community, reduce the number or restrict the range of a rare or en- dangered plant or animal, or eliminate important examples of the major periods of California history or prehistory. 34. Does the project have the potential to achieve short-term, to the dis- advantage of long-term, environmental goals? (A short-term impact on the environment is one which occurs in a relatively brief, definitive period of time while long-term impacts will endure well into the future.) 35. Does the project have the possible environmental effects which are in- dividually limited but cumulatively considerable? ("Cumulatively 'con- siderable" means that the incremental effects of an individual project are considerable when viewed in connection with the effects of past projects, the effects of other current projects, and the effects of probable future projects.) X - - - - X - X - - 36. Does the project have environmental effects which will cause'substantial adverse effects on human beings, either directly or indirectly? - - - X -5- a 0 DISCUSSION OF ENVIRONMENTAL EVALUATION Adams Street between Harrison Street and Park Drive is located north of the Agua Hedionda Lagoon. 7 street currently exists as a meandering, narrow paved asphalt roadway varying in width from 20 to 24 f with no curb, gutter, or sidewalk, and no provisions for bicyclists. The street carries approximately I,[ trips per day, with a total ultimate traffic projection of 1,500 to 2,000 average daily trips. Existing land u along the roadway consist .of vacant land, single-family and multi-family residential development, and ( commercial land use. The remaining vacant parcels are planned for residential land uses. Policy 7.1 of the Agua Hedionda Land Use Plan, adopted May, 1982 as part of the City of Carlsbad's Lo Coastal Program, requires a secondary bicycle route on this segment of Adams Street per Exhibit 1 of the la use plan. Most of the area immediately adjacent to Adams Street that would be effected by future roadv improvements include the front and rear yards of v&ous existing residential dwellings and vacant lots tl have been cleared of all native vegetation. However, there are some areas along the southern and north( boundary of the roadway that support small patches (5 - 10 acres) of native coastal sage vegetation. Construction of a majority the roadway improvements would proceed incrementally as future developmc of the vacant parcels along Adams Street occurs. All future development along the roadway would requ further environmental review as part of required discretionary development permits (i.e. tentative maps, par1 maps, conditional use permits, grading pennits, etc..). As part of this subsequent review, additional a detailed project specific environmental impact analysis and mitigation may be required. The fronta improvements along sections of the roadway that have adjacent and existing development would constructed by the City under future improvement agreements with the property owners. PHYSICAL ENVIRONMENT The Geotechnical Reconnaissance Study, dated October 1992 and prepared by Kleinfelder, indicates tl landslides and fault hazards would not be considered a significant geologic constraint to the futl improvement of the roadway. There is a potential for erosion of natural and manufactured slopes, therefo adequate slope landscaping and drainage facilities would be required as part of the Engineering Departmen standard review of any fume grading permits. The City Council has adopted hillside strqet standards for this segment of Adams Street. The hillside standar for a collector street reduce the required curb-to-curb width to 34 feet. This reduction in pavement wid would allow for a meandering centerline and minimized grading impacts to the surrounding hillsi topography. To widen the roadway, small areas (less than 0.5 acre) of future cut and fill slopes (20 -30 ft high) would be required adjacent to vacant and undeveloped lots located along several sections of Ada Street. The proposed manufactured slopes would meet the slope height standards of the City's Hillsi Development Regulations, therefore, there would not be significant impacts to the alteration of the natu! topography. Prior to approval of discretionary permits to subdivide or grade these vacant lots for resident development, a Hillside Development Permit would be required. Landscaping to screen the manufacturc slopes and adequate drainage facilities to prevent erosion would be required as a part of any future Hillsic Development Permit. -6- 0 0 The Archaeological Survey Report, dated April 1993 and prepared by Brian F. Mooney Associates, identifi a large and potentially significant prehistoric site (SDM -W-130) consisting of a shell and lithic scatter locat within the project right-of-way along both sides of Adams Street and on the open bluffs south of the road a above the lagoon. The roadway improvements dong &is portion of Adam Street would be the responsibil of property owners fronting the street. Prior to approval of any future discretionary permits (i.e. tentat maps, tentative parcel maps, grading permits, etc..) for physical development and construction.of the front; improvements, this site must be tested for significance. If the site is deemed significant, mitigation to red1 any future impacts to below a level of significance would be required. BIOLOGICAL ENVIRONMENT The Biology Report for the alignment study, dated April 1993 and prepared by Dudek & Associates, In identified areas of sensitive biological resources that could be potentially impacted by implementation of t study, including; (1) the loss of less than 0.5 acre of coastal sage scrub habitat; (2) the loss of 5- individuals of California adolphia; (3) the loss of one individual of wart-stem ceanothus; and (4) negligil indirect impacts to the California gnatcatcher. Based on this report there are no biologically sigdicz impacts associated with the future improvement of the roadway. To totally avoid any adverse impacts t Biology Report 'recommended several mitigation measures that will be included as part of this Initial Stuc These mitigation measures will be required as part of any future discretionary permits that allow developmf or grading into or adjacent to sensitive biological areas along the roadway. HUMAN ENVIRONMENT The alignment study indicates that there is a need for retaining and crib walls ranging in height up to 9 a 16 feet along many segments of the roadway. All walls exceeding a height of 6 feet along this scenic corriG would result in significant visual impacts. To reduce visual impacts along the roadway to below a level significance, all future discretionary permits allowing construction of the roadway improvements would required to exclusively utilize crib walls that are appropriately planted for the purpose of screening the wal - -7- m 0 ANALYSIS OF VTABLE ALTERNATIVES TO THE PROPOSED PROJECT SUCH AS: . a) Phased development of the project, b) alternate site designs, c) alternate scale of development, d) alternate. uses for. the site, e) development at some future time rather than now, f) alternate sites for the proposed project, and g) no project alternative. a) The project would be built incrementally as the individual property owners fronting the roadway subdiv and develop their property, thus, resulting in multiple road improvement phases. b) The alignment study has identified and evaluated several alternatives. The preferred alternatives all h either similar or reduced environmental impacts, including reduced retaining wall height and less gradj impact. c) The scale of development has been reduced by the City Council's adoption of hillside street standards this segment of Adams Street. The hillside standards for a collector street reduce the required curb-to-ct width to 34 feet. This reduction in pavement width allows for a meandering centerline and minimi: potential grading impacts to the surrounding hillside topography. d,f) The roadway and a majority of the required dedicated public right-of-way currently exists, therefo alternative uses or sites is not applicable nor feasible. e) The project is a study of alignment alternatives, therefore, improvement of the roadway would take pk at some future time. g) The "no project' alternative would eliminate visual impacts from the crib walls, however, a majority of I remaining impacts would stem from the future residential land use development adjacent to the road a not the road improvements themselves. Without the future residential development to provide t frontage improvements most of the roadway would not be improved and widened. The "no project" alternative may significantly impact the quality or quantity of future recreatiol opportunities along the lagoon and the planned use of the scenic corridor by discouraging the use of I corridor by pedestrians and bicyclists due to the lack of bike lanes and sidewalks. -8- e 0 DETERMINATION (To Be Completed By The Planning Department) On the basis of this initial evaluation: - I find the proposed project COULD NOT have a significant effect on the environment, and a NEGATI DECLARATION will be prepared. - I find that the proposed project COULD NOT have a significant effect on the environment, because t environmental effects of the proposed project have already been considered in conjunction w previously certified environmental documents and no additional environmental review is requir Therefore, a Notice of Determination has been prepared. x 1 find that although the proposed project could have a significant effect on the environment, there \ not be a significant effect in this case because the mitigation measures described on an attached sheet have been added to the project. A Conditional Negative Declaration will be proposed. - I find the proposed project MAY have a significant effect on the environment, and an ENVIRONMENT IMPACT REPORT is required. -. SiZMe SI 111 9 3 Dhe ' LIST MITIGATING MEASURES (IF APPLICABLE1 '1) Prior to approval of a tentative map, tentative parcel map, grading permit, and other required discretion; permits for a project within the site boundaries of SDM-W-130, a cultural resource testing program SI be conducted by a qualified archaeologist. Depending on the results of the significance evaluation, a d recovery program or preservation plan shall be implemented at the affected site, to the satisfaction of' Phning Director. 2) Prior to approval of a tentative map, tentative parcel map, grading permit, and other required discretion; pennits for a project impacting coastal sage scrub habitat or the California gnatcatcher the follow mitigation measures are required to insure that development and construction activities minimize or tot; avoid impacts to the remaining habitat and resident plant and wildlife species adjacent to Adam Str between Harrison Street and Park Drive. a) The edge of the road adjacent to coastal sage scrub should be sandbagged to reduce sedimentat effects to the lagoon and run-off or erosion through the patches of coastal sage scrub. -9- a 0 b) Prior to commencement of construction activities, a focused gnatcatcher survey shall be conduc (between December and April) to identlfy the number and location of birds adjacent to proposed roadway improvements. The surveys should be performed following the guideli developed by Mock, Jones, and Konecny (19901, and on file in the Planning Department. c) If gnatcatchers qe present, construction activities that exceed noise levels of 60 dBA at identif localities of gnatcatchers shall be scheduled to avoid gnatcatcher breeding season (15 Febru, through 15 August) d) The California Native Plant Society, California Department of Fish and Game, or other resou agency should be contacted prior to grading to inquire whether they are interested in salvaging individuals of California adolphia and wart-stemmed ceanothus that would be lost through roadway improvements. 3) The applicant shall receive approval of the following permits prior to issuance of a final map, grad permit, or building permit, whichever occurs first: i) Coastal Development Permit issued by the California Coastal Commission; ii) Any other permit that may be required by federal resource agencies or other responsible st agencies, including the United States Fish and Wildlife Service and the California Departmen1 Fish and Game. 4) All retaining walls along the roadway shall be of a crib wall type design and shall be planted M vegetation along the wall. 5) All projects along the Adams Street Alignment Study Area shall comply with the City's requirements of National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) permit. The applicant shall provide k management practices to reduce surface pollutants to an acceptable level prior to discharge to sensil areas. Plans for such improvements shall be approved by the City Engineer prior to approval of a fi map, or issuance of grading or building permit, whichever occurs first. ATTACH MITIGATION MONITORING PROGRAM (IF APPLICABLE) -10- m e APPLICANT CONCURRENCE WITH MITIGATING MEASURES THIS IS TO CERTIFY THAT I HAVE REVIEWED THE ABOVE MITIGATING MEASURES AND CONCUR WITH THE ADDITION OF THESE MEASURES TO THE PR0.J"'. G/iq? 3 Date JG:h -11-