HomeMy WebLinkAbout2001-04-17; City Council; 16162; Coastal Rail Trail ProjectCITY OF CARLSBAD -AGENDA BILL
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DEPT. ENG
TITLE- -* APPROVAL OF THE COASTAL RAIL TRAIL
PROJECT AND ADOPTING THE
MITIGATED NEGATIVE DECLARATION
RECOMMENDED ACTION:
Adopt Resolution No. Jm I- I& \ approving the Coastal Rail Trail Project; and
Adopt Resolution No. mo I@ 1 d a-adopting the Mitigated Negative Declaration for the Coastal
Rail Trail Project as prepared by the Planning Director.
ITEM EXPLANATION:
The Coastal Rail Trail (CRT) is a proposed multi-use pathway located within the San Diego
Northern Railway (SDNR) right-of-way from the San Luis Rey River in Oceanside to the Santa Fe
Depot in San Diego. The project is located within the jurisdictions of six northerly coastal cities in
San Diego County. Each of the six cities, Oceanside, Carlsbad, Encinitas, Solana Beach, Del Mar,
and San Diego combined their efforts to pursue development of the CRT. Participation from the six
cities, North County Transit District (NCTD), the Metropolitan Transit Development Board (MTDB),
San Diego Association of Governments (SANDAG), California Department of Transportation
(Caltrans) and MCAS Miramar resulted in the preparation of the Coastal Rail Trail Project Study
Report (PSR). This project has been a joint effort of the agencies over the last four years.
At the beginning of the planning process, a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) was necessary
to ensure that all of the cities and the transit agencies were in agreement to cooperatively work together towards developing a trail within the railroad right-of-way. This MOU, executed in 1996,
established a framework and agreement for working cooperatively in planning, designing,
constructing and maintaining the Coastal Rail Trail. The MOU also established the Coastal Rail Trail
Committee, consisting of representatives from each agency, which met on a monthly basis to assist
in the coordination and the inclusion of each agency’s concerns and specific community interests
within the PSR.
The entire 44-mile railway corridor was evaluated to determine whether it was economically viable
and environmentally acceptable to construct a multi-use path along the railroad right-of-way. The main purpose of the PSR is to identify an alignment that is constructible, not cost prohibitive,
and which maintains the continuity of a commuter route from Oceanside to San Diego.
The recommended alignment presented in the PSR was made considering cost constraints,
potential environmental impacts, and probable users. The alignment reflects a Class I bike path
constructed 12’ wide, with 2’ shoulders on each side within the SDNR right-of-way for approximately 32 miles of the total 44 miles. In instances where the railroad bridges cross a lagoon, the trail
diverts to existing Class II bike lanes along Highway 101 (Coast Highway). In Carlsbad, the route is
located on the east side of the railroad tracks throughout the City.
On May 6, 1998, the Carlsbad Planning Commission, pursuant to Planning Commission Resolution
No. 4269, found the CRT project consistent with the Carlsbad General Plan (PCD 98-01).
Therefore, no Planning Commission action is needed for the City Council to act on the PSR and
MND. Staff recommends that the Council approve the Coastal Rail Trail Project and adopt the
Mitigated Negative Declaration as prepared by the Planning Director.
Page 2 of Agenda Bill No. 1 b ,, 16 d-
ENVIRONMENTAL REVIEW:
Although the 1996 MOU designated the City of Carlsbad as “Lead Agency”, the agreement did not
technically designate the City as Lead Agency for California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA)
purposes. The formal designation of Lead Agency for CEQA purposes was made by the affected
coastal cities in the form of executed resolutions. These resolutions, approved by the City Councils
of Oceanside, Encinitas, Solana Beach and Del Mar, specifically designated the City of Carlsbad as
Lead Agency for CEQA purposes and also stipulated that they would agree to the implementation of
the mitigation measures contained in the Mitigated Negative Declaration. The City of San Diego chose not to be part of the Mitigated Negative Declaration and will process the required
environmental documents at a later date.
Therefore, consistent with Section 15367 of CEQA, the City of Carlsbad processed a Mitigated
Negative Declaration environmental document that encompasses the proposed alignment of the trail
between the San Luis Rey River in Oceanside to the southern boundary of the City of Del Mar.
The Mitigated Negative Declaration was signed by the Planning Director on November 21,200O and
underwent an extended public review period including State Clearinghouse and resource agency
review. The MND document and all supporting reports and studies were made available during the
public review period at all city halls and public libraries within the affected coastal cities of northern
San Diego County.
The alignment of the Coastal Rail Trail was revised to avoid potential environmental impacts. Therefore, the Mitigated Negative Declaration concluded that the Coastal Rail Trail will not create
any significant environmental impacts to the City or the region and includes conditions to implement
mitigation measures. Consequently, the coastal cities may use the MND as the basis for
determining environmental impacts during the future design phase of the Coastal Rail Trail project.
FISCAL IMPACT:
In 1992, SANDAG, in association with the coastal cities of Carlsbad, Oceanside, Encinitas Solana
Beach Del Mar, and San Diego, sponsored an Intermodal Surface Transportation Efficiency Act
(ISTEA) funding application to conduct a detailed feasibility study. The grant was awarded, and together with an additional grant through a State of California Transportation Systems Management
Program, the cities embarked on a major effort to plan, design, and construct the longest,
continuous rail trail of its type in the country. The $960,000 appropriated from Congestion Mitigation/Air Quality (CMAQ) and TSM have been used for the preparation of the PSR and
associated environmental documents and special studies.
Since 1992, the coastal cities have applied through varying sources to secure funds for the design
efforts and ultimate construction of a potion of the entire route. At this time, approximately $12.5M
of ISTEA funds has been approved for the region for the Coastal Rail Trail project. A majority of this amount is specifically dedicated to the portion of the project within Oceanside, Carlsbad and
Encinitas.
EXHIBITS:
1. Resolution No. 200 / -iJ/ approving the Coastal Rail Trail Project Study Report; and
2. Resolution No. AC@ / ‘/aadopting the Mitigated Negative Declaration for the Coastal Rail Trail Project as prepared by the Planning Director.
3. Location map.
4. Coastal Rail Trail Project Study Report and Mitigated Negative Declaration on file in the
City Clerk’s Office.
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RESOLUTION NO. 2001-121
A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF
CARLSBAD, CALIFORNIA, APPROVING THE COASTAL RAIL TRAIL PROJECT.
WHEREAS, the Coastal Rail Trail is proposed as a multi-use pathway to be located within
.he San Diego Northern Railway right-of-way between the San Luis Rey River in the City of
3ceanside and the Santa Fe Depot in the City of San Diego, a distance of 44 miles; and
WHEREAS, in 1992, the San Diego Association of Government’s Bicycle Facilities
2oordinating Committee sponsored an ISTEA grant application for $768,000 in Congestion
ulitigation and Air Quality (CMAQ) funds for the development of a comprehensive feasibility study
or the Coastal Rail Trail project; and
WHEREAS, in 1992, matching funds of $192,000 were provided by the State of California
hrough the Transportation System Management (TSM) Program; and
WHEREAS, in 1994, the City of Carlsbad was identified in the Regional Transportation
mprovement Plan (RTIP) as the lead agency for the Coastal Rail Trail Project; and
WHEREAS, in 1996, the Carlsbad City Council authorized a contract with Transtech
Engineers, Inc., for the preparation of a Project Study Report for the Coastal Rail Trail project;
rnd
WHEREAS, in 1996, a Memorandum of Understanding was approved by the
Ities of Oceanside, Carlsbad, Encinitas, Solana Beach, Del Mar and San Diego, North County
‘ransit District, and the Metropolitan Transit Development Board that established a framework
or working cooperatively in the planning, design, construction and maintaining the Coastal Rail
‘rail; and
WHEREAS, the Memorandum of Understanding established the Coastal Rail Trail
:ommittee consisting of representatives from each agency that met on a monthly basis to assist
1 the coordination and inclusion of each agency’s wncerns and specific community interests in
ile Project Study Report; and
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WHEREAS, the Project Study Report, dated October 2000, is complete and ready for
approval.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED by the City Council of the City of Carlsbad,
California, as follows:
1. That the above recitations are true and correct.
2. That the City of Carlsbad, acting as lead agency, completed the Coastal Rail Trail
Project Study Report and prepared a Mitigated Negative Declaration in accordance with the
requirements of the California Environmental Quality Act.
3. That the City Council of the City of Carlsbad, acting as lead agency for the Cities of
Oceanside, Carlsbad, Encinitas, Solana Beach, Del Mar and San Diego hereby approves the
Coastal Rail Trail Project.
PASSED, APPROVED AND ADOPTED at a regular meeting of the Carlsbad City Council
held on the 17th day Of Avril ,200l by the following vote, to wit:
AYES: Council Members Kulchin, Finnila, Nygaard and Hall.
NOES: None.
/ ABSENT: Council Member Lewis.
Kulchin, Ma
I ATTEST:
(SEAL)
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RESOLUTION NO. 2001-122
A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF
CARLSBAD, CALIFORNIA, ADOPTING THE MITIGATED
NEGATIVE DECLARATION FOR THE COASTAL RAIL TRAIL PROJECT AS PREPARED BY THE PLANNING DIRECTOR.
WHEREAS, in 1994, the City of Carlsbad was identified in the Regional Transportation
Improvement Plan (RTIP) as lead agency for the development of the Coastal Rail Trail project;
and
WHEREAS, the City Councils of the Cities of Oceanside, Encinitas, Solana Beach, and
Del Mar adopted resolutions authorizing the City of Carlsbad to act as Lead Agency for California
Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) purposes; and
WHEREAS, the City of Carlsbad, pursuant to Section 15367 of CEQA, processed a
Mitigated Negative Declaration environmental document for the Coastal Rail Trail project for that
portion between the San Luis Rey River in the City of Oceanside to the southerly city limits of the
City of Del Mar; and
WHEREAS, the Mitigated Negative Declaration was signed by the City of Carlsbad
Planning Director on November 21,200O; and
WHEREAS, the Mitigated Negative Declaration document and all supporting reports and
studies were made available during the public review period at all City Halls and public libraries
along the route of the Coastal Rail Trail between the Cities of Oceanside and Del Mar; and
WHEREAS, the Mitigated Negative Declaration was processed through the State
Clearinghouse and the public review period extended to allow for the review and comments by
interested citizens and public agencies; and
WHEREAS, the City of Carkbad received six letter of comments during the public review
period; and
WHEREAS, City staff, in conjunction with the technical consultants hired to prepare the
necessary environmental studies and reports for the Coastal Rail Trail project, responded to the
comments; and
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WHEREAS, based on the conclusions of the technical environmental studies and reports,
the Coastal Rail Trail project between the San Luis Rey River in the City of Oceanside and the
southerly city limits of the City of Del Mar will not create any significant environmental impacts to
the cities or the region.
NOW THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED by the City Council of the City of Carlsbad,
California as follows:
1. That the above recitations are true and correct.
2. That the City Councils of the Cities of Oceanside, Encinitas, Solana Beach, and
Del Mar adopted resolutions authorizing the City of Carlsbad to act as Lead Agency for California
Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) purposes and have agreed to comply with the recommended
mitigation measures.
3. That the City of Carlsbad, pursuant to Section 15367 of CEQA, processed a
Mitigated Negative Declaration environmental document for the Coastal Rail Trail project for that
portion between the San Luis Rey River in the City of Oceanside to the southerly city limits of the
City of Del Mar.
4. That the City Council of the City of Cansbad does hereby find:
A. It has reviewed, analyzed And considered Mitigated Negative Declaration
and the environmental impacts therein identified for this project and any comments thereon prior
to recommending approval of the project; and
B. The Mitigated Negative Declaration has been prepared in accordance with
requirements of the California Environmental Quality Act, the State Guidelines and the
~ Environmental Protection Procedures of the City of Carlsbad; and
C. It reflects the independent judgment of the City Council of the City of
Carlsbad.
5. That, based on the conclusions of the technical environmental studies and reports,
the Coastal Rail Trail project between the San Luis Rey River in the City of Oceanside and the
southerly city limits of the City of Del Mar, there is no substantial evidence that the project will
I create any significant environmental impacts to the cities or the region.
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6. That the City Council of the City of Carlsbad, acting as lead agency on behalf of
the Cities of Oceanside, Carlsbad, Encinitas, Solana Beach, and Del Mar, adopts the Mitigated
Negative Declaration for the Coastal Rail Trail Project as prepared by the Planning Director.
PASSED, APPROVED AND ADOPTED at a regular meeting of the Carlsbad City Council
held on the 17th day of April ,200l by the following vote, to wit:
AYES: Council Members Kulchin, Finnila, Nygaard and Hall.
NOES: None.
ABSENT: Council Member Lewis
(SEAL)