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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2014-11-25; City Council; 21791; Status Report, Approve Updating City Regarding Double Track ProjectCITY OF CARLSBAD - AGENDA BILL AB# 21,791 RECEIVE STATUS REPORT AND APPROVE A RESOLUTION UPDATING THE CITY OF CARLSBAD LEGISLATIVE PLATFORM POSITION REGARDING DOUBLE TRACKING IN THE CITY AND AUTHORIZING THE APPROPRIATION OF FUNDS TO BE UTILIZED IN THE CITY'S EFFORTS RELATED TO THE CARLSBAD VILLAGE DOUBLE TRACK PROJECT DEPT. DIRECTOR ^Stji- DATE 11/25/14 RECEIVE STATUS REPORT AND APPROVE A RESOLUTION UPDATING THE CITY OF CARLSBAD LEGISLATIVE PLATFORM POSITION REGARDING DOUBLE TRACKING IN THE CITY AND AUTHORIZING THE APPROPRIATION OF FUNDS TO BE UTILIZED IN THE CITY'S EFFORTS RELATED TO THE CARLSBAD VILLAGE DOUBLE TRACK PROJECT CITYATTY. 0^ DEPT CM RECEIVE STATUS REPORT AND APPROVE A RESOLUTION UPDATING THE CITY OF CARLSBAD LEGISLATIVE PLATFORM POSITION REGARDING DOUBLE TRACKING IN THE CITY AND AUTHORIZING THE APPROPRIATION OF FUNDS TO BE UTILIZED IN THE CITY'S EFFORTS RELATED TO THE CARLSBAD VILLAGE DOUBLE TRACK PROJECT "~- »r- CITY MGR. RECOMMENDED ACTION: Receive status report and approve Resolution No. 2014-268 updating the City of Carlsbad Legislative Platform position regarding double tracking in the city and authorizing the appropriation of $250,000 from the General Fund - City Council Contingency Account to be utilized in the city's efforts related to the Carlsbad Village Double Track project. ITEM EXPLANATION: Background: LOSSAN Corridor: Double tracking of the rail road corridor through San Diego County and in Carlsbad has had a long history. In 1989 the LOSSAN Rail Corridor Agency JPA was formed to coordinate intercity rail service between Los Angeles and San Diego. The Los Angeles to San Diego rail corridor (LOSSAN) links California's three most populous counties, Los Angeles, Orange and San Diego. The corridor currently operates at or near its design capacity, which results in rail congestion. Improvements to the corridor are needed in order to develop a faster, safer, and more reliable rail corridor that provides added capacity in response to the increasing travel demand that is projected to double by the year 2030. Double tracking (adding a second track) has been identified as the primary means of increasing capacity throughout the entire corridor. In 2002 a Notice of Preparation and Notice of Intent was released for the LOSSAN Corridor EIR/EIS. In 2003 Caltrans completed the LOSSAN Corridor Strategic Plan, which provided a corridor-wide review of all alternatives and utilized a screening process to evaluate the various alternatives to determine which design options should be carried forward in the EIR/EIS process, with the plan describing the project in Carlsbad Village to include study of both the "at-grade" and "trench" alternatives. In February 2009 the Record of Decision by the US Dept. of Transportation, Federal Railroad Administration for the LOSSAN Corridor EIR/EIS was published and this final document listed two alternatives as being feasible for the Carlsbad Village rail corridor segment: 1) at-grade; double tracking, and 2) trench; double tracking. In July 2009 the San Diego - LOSSAN Corridor Project Prioritization Analysis was published ("Cambridge Study"). The Cambridge Study was completed by Caltrans and the Rail Prioritization Working Group (SANDAG, Caltrans, NCTD, BNSF, and Amtrak, with no local agency involvement) and was approved by the SANDAG and NCTD Board of Directors. The Study prioritized a series of rail improvement projects along a 60-mile stretch ofthe LOSSAN Corridor from the Orange County line south to Downtown San Diego. Of note in this study is the fact that it was completed without any local agency or city involvement with the Rail Prioritization Working Group and, specifically in Carlsbad, only the "at-grade" alternative for the Carlsbad Village segment was prioritized, with the "trench" alternative completely absent from the study recommendations. DEPARTMENT CONTACT: GaryT. Barberio 760-434-2822 gary.barberlo@carlsbadca.gov FOR CLERK USE. y COUNCIL ACTION: APPROVED DENIED A • CONTINUED TO DATE SPECIFIC CONTINUEDTO DATE UNKNOWN • • CONTINUED • RETURNED TO STAFF • 1 WITHDRAWN • OTHER - SEE MINUTES • 1 AMENDED • REPORT RECEIVED • City of Carlsbad Rail Corridor: Throughout most ofthe Carlsbad rail corridor double tracking has already been completed, with the exception of two sections: 1) from just north ofthe Avenida Encinas bridge, south over the Batiquitos Lagoon to the southern city limit at Encinitas; and, 2) from Pine Avenue north, through the Carlsbad Village Coaster Station, to the northern city limit at Oceanside. The last double track project segment to be completed in Carlsbad was the segment from Pine Avenue south, over the Agua Hedionda Lagoon, to just south of Cannon Road. This project included a new "at-grade" crossing of Tamarack Avenue, a new wider bridge over the Agua Hedionda Lagoon, and a new "at-grade" crossing of Cannon Road, and was completed in the spring of 2012 at a cost of approximately $20 million. In the Carlsbad rail corridor there are currently four "at-grade" rail crossings (Grand Avenue, Carlsbad Village Drive, Tamarack Avenue, and Cannon Road), alongwith four grade-separated crossings (Carlsbad Boulevard, Palomar Airport Road, Poinsettia Lane, and Avenida Encinas) and three lagoon bridge crossings (Buena Vista, Agua Hedionda, and Batiquitos lagoons). At present a total of 65 train trips (Coaster, Amtrak, and freight) occur each day and that number is expected to grow to approximately 120 trips per day by 2030. The existing and projected increase in train trip volume is significant in that each train trip causes temporary road closures at each at-grade rail crossing, severely impacting local circulation (vehicle, bike, and pedestrian) and coastal access, creating significant noise and air quality impacts, public safety response impacts, economic impacts, and a general and widespread reduction in the overall quality of life in neighborhoods along the entire rail corridor. Additionally, the Carlsbad rail corridor, in particular the Village area, has experienced an extraordinary number of pedestrian fatalities occurring primarily at the "at-grade" rail crossing locations. All of these impacts are expected to be exacerbated by installation of a second or double track, which would allow concurrent train traffic in both directions through the Barrio and Village neighborhoods. Carlsbad Village Double Track Proiect: The Carlsbad Village Double Track (CVDT) project encompasses the rail corridor segment from just north of Pine Avenue, through the Carlsbad Village Coaster Station, north under Carlsbad Boulevard and over the Buena Vista Lagoon to the city limit at Oceanside, and continuing further north into Oceanside to a point just south of Eaton Street. The CVDT project consists of double tracking the segment, along with improvements to the Carlsbad Village Coaster Station necessary to accommodate the second track and the building of a new higher, longer and wider bridge over the Buena Vista Lagoon. In June 2010 the SANDAG Board approved design funding for the CVDT project as it was defined in the Cambridge Study ("at-grade" alternative only) and in October of 2011 SANDAG completed a Project Study Report (PSR) for the CVDT project in which only the "at-grade" alternative was analyzed, again as it was defined in the Cambridge Study. The PSR provided a very high level engineering feasibility analysis and cost estimate ($47 million) forthe "at-grade" alternative only. Based on the results ofthe PSR, SANDAG authorized and initiated the preparation of a Preliminary Engineering Study and National Environmental Protection Act (NEPA) Environmental Assessment for the CVDT project, again intent on studying only the "at-grade" alternative. Over the period of mid-2013 to early 2014, SANDAG staff met with Carlsbad staff over several meetings to discuss comments, concerns and issues related to the engineering design options SANDAG had presented to the city for the CVDT project "at-grade" preliminary engineering design. Initially city staff's intent was to work cooperatively with SANDAG on a design option that would be acceptable to both agencies. However, it became increasingly clear that any and all design options for a second rail track "at-grade" through the Village presented serious impacts for Carlsbad that could not be mitigated. Starting in May 2014, the city began to inform SANDAG that the "at-grade" double track alternative was 2 unacceptable to the City of Carlsbad and that SANDAG also had an obligation to analyze and evaluate the feasibility of a "trench" alternative, given that the certified and published LOSSAN Corridor EIR/EIS found that the "trench" alternative for the CVDT segment was feasible and worthy of future project-level engineering and environmental analysis. Ultimately, through a series of meetings and correspondence with SANDAG and Coastal Commission staff, SANDAG formally documented their commitment to put the "at-grade" Preliminary Engineering and NEPA Environmental Assessment on-hold and to initiate a Project Study Report (PSR) to include a feasibility analysis and cost estimate of a "trench" alternative for the CVDT project (letter dated August 18, 2014 and included as a part of Exhibit 2). Also as a part ofthe PSR, SANDAG agreed to complete, and Carlsbad staff has tentatively agreed to fund, an in-depth economic analysis of both of the CVDT project alternatives ("trench" and "at-grade). The economic study will be utilized to inform and support the preparation of the PSR and could also be utilized to support any future City/SANDAG lobbying efforts. Ifthe completed PSR indicates that a "trench" alternative is feasible, both the "trench" and the "at-grade" CVDT project alternatives could be included as a part ofthe Preliminary Engineering and NEPA Environmental Assessment and equally analyzed. To date, SANDAG has indicated that the CVDT project is only funded through the preliminary engineering and environmental stage, and no funds have been identified for construction. SANDAG and City staff have mutually agreed on a "trench" alternative PSR scope ofwork and SANDAG expects to contract for and initiate the PSR effort in early December, with an expected completion schedule of nine months. Ifthe City Council authorizes the requested funds, SANDAG will also contract with an economic consultant for a detailed economic analysis that will be jointly completed by the City of Carlsbad and SANDAG within the same time frame as the PSR. The economic consultant will study and identify the economic impact of the "at-grade" alternative versus the "trench" alternative as it relates to property taxes, sales taxes, transient occupancy taxes, and job creation. City Council Requested Actions: Citv of Carlsbad Legislative Platform: City staff is recommending that the City Council update its' Legislative Platform specific to the City Council's position regarding double tracking in the city. The purpose ofthe Legislative Platform is to clearly outline the policy position ofthe City Council on priority issues and matters that impact the city. By clearly and formally outlining a policy position. City Council members and staff are then readily able to individually articulate and represent the City Council's policy position in performing the city's business. Specific to double tracking of the rail corridor within the City limits, staff is recommending the following update to the Legislative Platform (additions shown in underline): 5. Transportation: (e) Encourage and support double tracking of the rail corridor within the City limits in a manner that: L Eliminates or reduces existing at-grade rail crossings within the rail corridor. 2. Improves local, regional, and coastal access for all travel modes (bike, pedestrian, vehicle, transit) and improves public safetv response. 3^ Minimizes impacts to neighborhoods. 4^ Maximizes communitv and neighborhood connections. 5, Protects and/or improves the economic vibrancy of surrounding neighborhoods and the city. 6^ Protects and/or enhances environmental resources. 3 Funding Authorization Request: Staff is also recommending that the City Council appropriate funds in an amount not to exceed $250,000 from the General Fund - City Council Contingency Account and authorize the Administrative Services Director to transfer funds as appropriate to be utilized in the city's efforts related to the Carlsbad Village Double Track project. Specifically the requested funds would be utilized as follows: 1. Funds in an amount not to exceed $100,000 to contract with an engineering firm with significant and specialized rail experience to assist city staff and improve the city's position as we work in coordination with SANDAG on completing a Project Study Report of a "trench" alternative for the CVDT project. It is expected that the contracted engineering firm will serve as an "extension" of city staff and will directly participate with city staff in all work necessary to complete the engineering feasibility analysis and cost estimate included in the PSR, as well as assist in the completion ofthe economic study. 2. Funds in an amount not to exceed $100,000 to allow SANDAG to contract with an economic consultant for a detailed economic analysis that will be jointly completed by the City of Carlsbad and SANDAG within the same time frame as the PSR. The economic analysis will be utilized to inform and support the preparation ofthe "trench" alternative PSR and could also be utilized to support any future City/SANDAG lobbying efforts. The economic consultant will study and identify the economic impact ofthe "at-grade" alternative versus the "trench" alternative as it relates to property taxes, sales taxes, transient occupancy taxes, and job creation. 3. Funds in an amount not to exceed $50,000 to support public outreach, communication, and information gathering efforts that will be necessary to complete the "trench" alternative PSR and economic study and ensure that the city's position is well-articulated and the public is well- informed throughout the process. FISCAL IMPACT: Staff is requesting that the City Council appropriate funds in an amount not to exceed $250,000 from the General Fund - City Council Contingency Account and authorize the Administrative Services Director to transfer funds as appropriate to be utilized in the city's efforts related to the Carlsbad Village Double Track project. ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT: Pursuant to Public Resources Code section 21065, this action does not constitute a "project" within the meaning of CEQA in that it has no potential to cause either a direct physical change in the environment, or a reasonably foreseeable indirect physical change in the environment, and therefore does not require environmental review. EXHIBITS: 1. Resolution No. 2014-268 updating the city's legislative platform position regarding double tracking in the city and authorizing the appropriation of $250,000 from the General Fund - City Council Contingency Account 2. Carlsbad Village Double Track Project Chronology, with attachments. 3. City of Carlsbad Legislative Platform • strikeout (delete)/underline (addition) version - includes amended pages only. EXHIBIT 5 6 7 8 9 1 RESOLUTION NO. 2014-268 2 A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF CARLSBAD, 3 CALIFORNIA, UPDATING THE CITY OF CARLSBAD LEGISLATIVE PLATFORM POSITION REGARDING DOUBLE TRACKING IN THE CITY 4 AND AUTHORIZING THE APPROPRIATION OF FUNDS TO UTILIZED IN THE CITY'S EFFORTS RELATED TO THE CARLSBAD VILLAGE DOUBLE TRACK PROJECT WHEREAS, double tracking of the rail road corridor through San Diego County and in Carlsbad has had a long history; and WHEREAS, in 1989 the LOSSAN Rail Corridor Agency JPA was formed to coordinate intercity rail service between Los Angeles and San Diego, and 11 WHEREAS, in 2002 a Notice of Preparation and a Notice of Intent was released for the 12 LOSSAN Corridor EIR/EIS, and WHEREAS, in 2003 Caltrans completed the San Diego LOSSAN Corridor Strategic Plan, which provided a corridor-wide review of all alternatives and utilized a screening process to evaluate the various alternatives to determine which design options should be carried forward 13 14 15 16 Ij in the LOSSAN Corridor EIR/EIS process, with the plan describing the project in Carlsbad Village 18 to include study of both the "at-grade" and "trench" alternatives, and 1 Q WHEREAS, in February 2009 the Record of Decision by the US Dept. ofTransportation, 20 Federal Railroad Administration for the LOSSAN Corridor EIR/EIS was published and this final 21 document listed two alternatives as being feasible for the Carlsbad Village rail corridor 22 22 segment: 1) at-grade; double tracking, and 2) trench; double tracking, and 24 WHEREAS, in July 2009 the San Diego - LOSSAN Corridor Project Prioritization Analysis 25 vvas published ("Cambridge Study"). The Cambridge Study was completed by Caltrans and the 26 Rail Prioritization Working Group (SANDAG, Caltrans, NCTD, BNSF, and Amtrak, with no local 27 agency membership) and was approved by the SANDAG and NCTD Board of Directors. The 28 " 1 study prioritized a series of rail improvement projects along a 60-mile stretch of the LOSSAN 9 10 11 12 13 23 24 25 26 27 28 Corridor from the Orange County line south to Downtown San Diego. Of note in this Study is the fact that it was completed without any local agency or city involvement with the Rail Prioritization Working Group and, specifically in Carlsbad, only the "at-grade" alternative for the Carlsbad Village segment was prioritized, with the "trench" alternative completely absent from 2 3 4 5 6 7 the study recommendations, and 8 WHEREAS, the Carlsbad Village Double Track (CVDT) project encompasses the rail corridor segment from just north of Pine Avenue, through the Carlsbad Village Coaster Station, north under Carlsbad Boulevard and over the Buena Vista Lagoon to the city limit at Oceanside, and continuing further north into Oceanside to a point just south of Eaton Street, and WHEREAS, the CVDT project consists of double tracking the segment, along with 14 improvements to the Carlsbad Village Coaster Station necessary to accommodate the second 15 track and the building of a new higher, longer and wider bridge over the Buena Vista Lagoon, and WHEREAS, in June 2010 the SANDAG Board approved design funding for the CVDT project as it was defined in the Cambridge Study ("at-grade" alternative only) and in October of 16 17 18 19 20 2011 SANDAG completed a Project Study Report (PSR) for the CVDT project in which only the 21 "at-grade" alternative was analyzed, again as it was defined in the Cambridge Study, and 22 WHEREAS, based on the results of the PSR, SANDAG authorized and initiated the preparation of a Preliminary Engineering Study and National Environmental Protection Act (NEPA) Environmental Assessment for the CVDT project, again intent on studying only the "at- grade" alternative, and 1 WHEREAS, SANDAG has now formally documented their commitment to put the "at- grade" Preliminary Engineering and NEPA Environmental Assessment on-hold and to initiate a Project Study Report (PSR) to include a feasibility analysis and cost estimate of a "trench" alternative for the CVDT project and has also agreed to complete, and the City of Carlsbad has agreed to fund, an in-depth economic analysis of both of the CVDT project alternatives 2 3 4 5 6 7 ("trench" and "at-grade), and 8 WHEREAS, SANDAG and the City of Carlsbad have mutually agreed on a "trench" alternative PSR scope ofwork and SANDAG expects to contract for and initiate the PSR effort in early December 2014, with an expected completion schedule of nine months, and WHEREAS, SANDAG will also contract with an economic consultant for a detailed 9 10 11 12 13 economic analysis that will be jointly completed by the City of Carlsbad and SANDAG within the 14 same time frame as the PSR, and 15 WHEREAS, it is in the best interest ofthe City of Carlsbad that the Carlsbad City Council update the City of Carlsbad Legislative Platform specific to the City Council's position regarding 17 double tracking in the city in an effort to clearly and formally outline a City Council policy 18 position, such that City Council members and city staff are then readily able to individually and 20 collectively articulate and represent the City Council's policy position in performing the city's 21 business, and 22 WHEREAS, it is in the best interest of the City of Carlsbad that the Carlsbad City Council 23 appropriate funds in an amount not to exceed $250,000 from the General Fund - City Council 24 Contingency Account and authorize the Administrative Services Director to transfer funds as 25 26 27 28 1 appropriate to be utilized in the city's efforts related to the Carlsbad Village Double Track 2 3 4 5 6 7 2. That the document date and Section 5.(e) of the City of Carlsbad Legislative 8 Platform regarding double tracking in the city is hereby updated as follows (additions shown in underline): 20 project. 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. CITY OF CARLSBAD 20140 LEGISLATIVE PLATFORM 9 10 11 12 13 5. Transportation 14 (e) Encourage and support double tracking of the rail corridor within 15 the City limits in a manner that: 1^ I. Improves public safety access and response times. Z Eliminates or reduces existing at-grade rail crossings within the rail corridor. 18 3. Improves local, regional, and coastal access for all travel modes (bike, pedestrian, vehicle, transit). 19 4. Minimizes impacts to neighborhoods. 5. Maximizes communitv and neighborhood connections. 6. Protects and/or improves the economic vibrancy of 21 surrounding neighborhoods and the city. 7. Protects and/or enhances environmental resources. 22 " 23 24 amount not to exceed $250,000 from the General Fund - City Council Contingency 25 Account to be utilized in the city's efforts related to the Carlsbad Village Double 26 Track project. 27 28 3. That the Administrative Services Director is authorized to appropriate funds in an 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 PASSED, APPROVED AND ADOPTED at a Regular Meeting ofthe City Council ofthe City of Carlsbad on the 25**^ day of November 2014, by the following vote to wit: AYES: NOES: Council Members Packard, Wood, Schumacher, Blackburn. None. ABSENT: Mayor Hall. , \\ojJ/JUj MATT HALL, Mayor ATTEST: BARBARA ENGLESON, Cii^ Clerk Carlsbad Village Double Tracking Proiect Chronology 1989 2001 3/11/02 3/20/02 4/02 3/03-04/03 10/03 8/04 10/04 9/07 2/09 The LOSSAN Rail Corridor Agency Joint powers agency is formed to coordinate intercity rail service between Los Angeles and San Diego. The LOSSAN Rail Corridor Agency is expanded to include rail agencies and operators north of Los Angeles to San Luis Obispo. The Notice of Preparation (NOP) for the LOSSAN Program EIR/EIS is released. The Notice of Intent (NOI) for the LOSSAN Program EIR/EIS is published in the Federal Register. Scoping activities for the LOSSAN corridor were conducted. Scoping meetings were a requirement for the program EIR/EIS document for rail improvements in the LOSSAN corridor. A scoping meeting was held in Carlsbad on April 3, 2002. LOSSAN Corridor Strategic Plan public workshops are conducted. The North San Diego area public workshop was held in the City of Encinitas on 03/25/03 - no public workshops were held in Carlsbad. The Caltrans LOSSAN Corridor Strategic Plan, which provided a corridor-wide review of all alternatives, is published. A screening process of alternatives to evaluate which design options should be carried forward in the environmental process was done for four cities/areas or key locations (Del Mar, Encinitas, San Clemente/Dana Point, and San Juan Capistrano), which were seen as being representative ofthe entire corridor. This process listed grade-separated tunneling as options for further study. The report describes the project in Carlsbad to include double tracking and grade separation and states, "In Carlsbad, the City's concerns regarding partial or full-grade separation of downtown intersections will be addressed, as well as related pedestrian issues", (page 69). The EPA issued a Notice of Availability for the LOSSAN Proposed Rail Corridor Improvements Draft Program EIR/EIS and it appeared in the Federal Register. City of Carlsbad submits comment letter to Caltrans. City requests grade-separation of railroad tracks and streets. The Final Program EIR/EIS Is published. Summary of alternatives (Table 2.2-1) lists the project in Carlsbad as "Double-tracking in existing alignment including partial or full Grade Separation (Oceanside to Carlsbad)". Alignment options from Oceanside to San Diego (Page 5.0-8) list three tunneling alternatives and two at-grade alternatives for Carlsbad. The Record of Decision by the US Dept. ofTransportation, Federal Railroad Administration for the LOSSAN Program EIR/EIS is published. Page 13 ofthis document lists two alternatives for Carlsbad: 1) at-grade; double tracking, and 2) trench; double tracking, while page 4 indicates the following: "NEPA requires that an agency consider the environmental effects of its actions at the earliest point in time when the analysis is meaningful, and it is within the agency's discretion to fashion an environmental process appropriate to the type of decisions it is considering. The Program EIR/EIS shapes the parameters for the site-specific environmental documents to support second-tier project decisions. The tiered project-level environmental reviews will fully describe site-specific environmental impacts of a range of improvement options within the LOSSAN 10 7/09 corridor and at station locations, and will define specific mitigation measures to address those impacts." The LOSSAN Corridor Project Prioritization Analysis is published ("Cambridge Study"). The Study "prioritizes a series of rail improvement projects along a 60-mile stretch ofthe LOSSAN rail corridor from the Orange County Line in the north to Downtown San Diego in the south." The Working Group to establish consensus for prioritized projects consisted of SANDAG, Caltrans, NCTD, BNSF, Amtrak, but no local agencies/cities were involved. Carlsbad Village Double Track Project (Project #6) described as "Second main track and curve straightening from MP 228.5 MP 229.5, including double-track through Carlsbad Village Station. It would result in 3.6 mile stretch of double-track from CP Shell to CP Carl". No mention of tunneling or grade-separation, and the estimated total project cost was $28,000,000 in 2008 dollars (which strongly implies at-grade option only). 9/16/09 Carlsbad signs General Order 88-B to allow Double Tracking at Cannon Road and Tamarack Avenue, as a part ofthe Carlsbad Double Tracking project (a different project than the Carlsbad Village Double Tracking project). 4/20/10 Presentation on Double Tracking project was given at City Council Workshop by Amtrak/NCTD. The City Council took no action and provided no direction to staff. 6/10 Design funding for the Carlsbad Village Double Track project, as defined in the Cambridge Study, is approved by the SANDAG Board as part ofthe Early Action Program. 11/23/10 AB approved for reimbursement agreement ($290K) to protect city utilities affected by the at- grade Carlsbad Double Tracking Project at Agua Hedionda Lagoon Bridge (a different project that the Carlsbad Village Double Tracking project). 10/11 Project Study Report (PSR) for the Carlsbad Village Double-Track project completed by SANDAG. The PSR only analyzed an "at-grade" alternative. The PSR provides a very high level engineering feasibility analysis and cost estimate. Spring 12 Construction completed on 1.9 miles of Carlsbad Double Tracking Project at Agua Hedionda Lagoon Bridge. Project went from just south of Carlsbad Village Drive to just south of Cannon Road, and included a complete reconstruction ofthe railroad bridge over Agua Hedionda Lagoon. 7/13 SANDAG staff team meets with Carlsbad staff team to present information regarding the Carlsbad Village Double Tracking project Preliminary Engineering Study and NEPA Environmental Assessment. At-grade double tracking is the only option being analyzed by SANDAG. 11/13 Draft Comment Letter from Carlsbad sent to SANDAG Staff regarding the Carlsbad Village Double tracking "at-grade" design. 2/6/14 SANDAG staff team again meets with Carlsbad staff team regarding the Carlsbad Village double tracking proposed "at-grade" design. The design reflects some ofthe concerns and comments contained in the 11/2013 comment letter from the City. 5/01/14 SANDAG staff team for the Carlsbad Village Double Tracking project Preliminary Engineering Study and NEPA Environmental Assessment meets with Carlsbad Coastal Corridor Team regarding the Carlsbad Village Double Tracking project proposed "at-grade" design. At-grade double tracking is still the only option being analyzed. Carlsbad team strongly indicates to SANDAG staff that the at-grade option is unacceptable and that SANDAG should be also be analyzing the "trench" alternative, as identified in the Program EIR/EIS for the LOSSAN Proposed Rail Corridor Improvements. 6/17/14 Carlsbad meets with SANDAG's Executive Director and Chief Deputy Executive Director to explore how Carlsbad can influence SANDAG to include the "trench" alternative as part ofthe Carlsbad Village Double Tracking project Preliminary Engineering Study and NEPA Environmental Assessment. SANDAG indicates that they would be willing to coordinate a meeting between City and SANDAG staff to explore solutions this issue. Subsequently, SANDAG staff indicates that the Preliminary Engineering Study has been put on hold, pending the outcome of a City/SANDAG staff meeting. 7/7&8/14 City Council members are briefed in 2-2-1 meetings on current status, concerns, and staff strategy for addressing SANDAG's approach to the Carlsbad Village Double Track project. 7/17/14 City sends letter to California Coastal Commission staff (attached) regarding the Draft North Coast Corridor Public Works Plan/Transportation and Resource Enhancement Program (PWP/TREP). City requests that the Coastal staff require SANDAG, as a part of their recommendation of approval ofthe PWP/TREP, to study both the "at-grade" and the "trench" alternatives in the Carlsbad Village Double Tracking Project Preliminary Engineering Study and NEPA Environmental Assessment. 7/29/14 City staff meets directly with Coastal staff to discuss Carlsbad's letter of 7/17/14. The meeting purpose was to explore how Carlsbad could best support Coastal staff and influence the Coastal Commission, such that Carlsbad is successful in our request for the Coastai staff to require SANDAG, as a part of their recommendation of approval ofthe PWP/TREP, to study both the at- grade and the trench alternative in the Carlsbad Village Double Tracking Project Preliminary Engineering Study and NEPA Environmental Assessment. 8/06/14 SANDAG sends letter to the California Coastal Commission (attached) in response to the City's letter to the CCC of 7/17/14. In the letter SANDAG indicates that they have committed to conducting a future feasibility analysis of a "trench" alternative for the Carlsbad Village Double Track project. The letter is unclear as to what type of study will be completed and what the study timeline would be. 8/12/14 Carlsbad executive staff meets with SANDAG's Executive Director to discuss Carlsbad's request that SANDAG formally commit in writing to initiating and completing a Project Study Report to analyze the "trench' alternative, along with the "at-grade" alternative, so that both alternatives can be equally evaluated such that elected officials and decision-makers can compare both alternatives and reach a recommendation on the best double track alternative. 8/12/14 SANDAG staff and City staff meet to initially discuss the contents of a "scope ofwork" for completing a Project Study Report that would analyze the "trench" alternative for the Carlsbad Village Double Track project. 8/13/14 The North Coast Corridor PWP/TREP is approved at the California Coastal Commission meeting In San Diego. 8/18/14 SANDAG sends letter to the City of Carlsbad to formally document SANDAG's commitment to develop a Project Study Report that will include a feasibility analysis of a "trench" alternative for the Carlsbad Village Double Track project (letter attached) and indicates that, once initiated, the study will be completed within a 6-9 month time period. 8/14-11/14 SANDAG staff and City staff meet several times to finalize the content of the "scope of work" for completing the Project Study Report for the "trench" alternative for the Carlsbad Village Double Track project. 10/16/14 The California Coastal Commission's Federal Consistency Division sends a letter (attached) to SANDAG and Caltrans strongly indicating the Commission's position that future federal consistency review of individual LOSSAN Corridor rail projects, such as the Carlsbad Village Double Track project, will require additional environmental review and alternatives analysis beyond that originally completed in the LOSSAN Corridor FEIS and the PWP/TREP. 12/14 SANDAG will contract with a consulting team to complete the Project Study Report (9 month schedule) in cooperation and consultation with the City. 12/14 SANDAG will contract with an economic consultant, to be paid for by the City of Carlsbad, for a detailed economic analysis that will be jointly completed by the City of Carlsbad and SANDAG within the same time frame as the PSR for the "trench" alternative and will be utilized to inform the preparation ofthe PSR. The economic analysis will study and identify the economic impact of the "at-grade" alternative versus the "trench" alternative as it relates to property taxes, sales taxes, transient occupancy taxes, and job creation. CITY OF V CARLSBAD Office of the City Manager www.carlsbadca.gov July 17, 2014 Sherilyn Sarb, Deputy Director California Coastal Commission Delivered via email SUBJECT: Draft North Coast Corridor Public Works Plan/Transportation and Resource Enhancement Program - LOSSAN Double-tracking in Carlsbad Viilage Dear Ms. Sarb, Thank you for the opportunity to review and comment on the Draft North Coast Corridor Public Works Plan and Transportation and Resource Enhancement Program (PWP/TREP) and California Coastal Commission staff report for the program dated July 3,2014. The City of Carlsbad affirms its letter on file with the Coastal Commission dated March 13, 2014 and is providing additional information for consideration by the Coastal Commission regarding projects in the PWP/TREP. This additional information is being provided to the Coastal Commission based on additional review and information obtained subsequent to our previous letter on file. The City of Carlsbad met with SANDAG staff on May 1, 2014. During this meeting, SANDAG informed Carlsbad staff that it was still intent on pursuing preliminary engineering and environmental review of one option only: the at-grade double-tracking rail alignment through Carlsbad. We note also that the San Diego - LOSSAN Corridor Project Prioritization Analysis, prepared for CalTrans by Cambridge Systematics (July 2009), only evaluated at-grade double-tracking through Carlsbad. This project prioritization analysis was prepared under the guidance of the Rail Prioritization Working Group (RPWG), apparently without the benefit of input from the City of Carlsbad.^ The City ofCarlsbad strongly believes this approach to evaluate only at-grade double-tracking is extremely short-sighted and would deny to future generations the opportunity to provide significant environmental benefits and greatly enhanced public access to precious coastal resources. Based on the Federal Railroad Administration Record of Decision (ROD) for the Los Angeles to San Diego, California (LOSSAN) Proposed Rail Corridor Improvements (February 2009), Carlsbad had fully relied upon and expected that both ofthe Preferred Program Alternatives identified for the Carlsbad section in section 6.4 of the ROD, would undergo environmental review as they were equally weighed and identified as preferred program alternatives: 6.4 Preferred Program Alternative - Rail Improvements ••.^rp^,\ ^ The RPWG was composed of representatives from SANDAG, CalTrans District 11, Caltrans Division of Rail, North County Transit District, Amtrak, and Burlington Northern Santa Fe Railway. City Hail 1200Carlsbad Village Drive, Carlsbad, CA 92008-1949 T 760-434-2821 F 760-720-9461 © CARLSBAD VILLAGE DOUBLE TRACK JULY 17, 2014 Paqe 2 Oceanside/Carlsbad Double -tracking A. Carlsbad - AT-GRADE; double-tracking: Double-tracking through Carlsbad in existing rail alignment at-grade. Alignment crosses San Luis Rey, Buena Vista, Agua Hedionda, and Batiquitos Lagoons B. Carlsbad -TRENCH; double-tracking Double-tracking through Carlsbad in existing rail alignment in trench. Alignment crosses San Luis Rey, Buena Vista, Agua Hedionda, and Batiquitos Lagoons On page three ofthe ROD it states: "All site-specific alignment decisions would be made during project- level environmental review based upon site-specific analysis." That project level analysis is underway, but only the at-grade double-tracking option is being considered. The City of Carlsbad adamantly requests that the California Coastal Commission require SANDAG to conduct environmental review on both project alternatives. It is only if both alternatives are evaluated that the best alignment decision can be made based on project level environmental review based on site-specific analysis. The trench option should also be included in the PWP/TREP program. To be clear, there are many in Carlsbad who believe that the surface option has many negative impacts that simply cannot be mitigated. There has been inadequate study of those impacts to date. We request your help in insisting that a more thorough study be undertaken before the project proceeds to protect the public interest. Carlsbad treasures its 7 miles of pristine beach. Maintaining and enhancing our access to the coast, for all, is one of our primary missions. As you may know, the rail corridor runs parallel to and within a quarter mile ofthe coast. It separates the entire village ofCarlsbad and the barrio from access to the coast. Adding another set of tracks and approximately 100 railcars per day in that corridor with the resulting degradation in surface access, the reduction in overall property values along the entire length of the corridor and the economic impact to businesses has profound impacts to our community and to the future of our community. Add these tremendous impacts, which only escalate over time. The results to the community are devastating. Environmental impacts including noise, decreased pedestrian, bicycle and vehicular access is another entire category of impact that has not be thoroughly reviewed or discussed by the community. Once the project becomes more widely known in the community there is likely to be a huge negative impact from all sections ofthe community. Another significant impact is the restricted public safety access to the coast. All of our safety services, including ambulance, police, fire and rescue, comes from east ofthe railroad tracks. The addition of doubling the railcars and extended queues of traffic waiting to get through intersections and the limited number of rail crossings leaves the coast unprotected with timely emergency services. Public health safety and welfare is compromised. To our knowledge, no study of these impacts have occurred. CARLSBAD VILLAGE DOUBLE TRACK JULY 17, 2014 Page 3 There is a feasible alternative. The City ofCarlsbad believes that there will be many significant benefits to our city and to the coast provided by the trench option, which are outlined below. In addition, the trench option carries out California Coastal Act policies and advances the mission ofthe California Coastal Commission to maximize public access to coastal areas. • Visitor benefits. Carlsbad has over 5,000 visitor accommodations in the city (hotel, timeshare, and Vacation Rentals by Owner) that are largely east ofthe railway. Presently, the rail bisects downtown Carlsbad with only two streets in the Village - Carlsbad Village Drive and Grand Avenue - that cross the railway at-grade and provide access for visitors to the beach area. A trench option would provide for up to five grade-separated street crossings, plus two additional grade-separated bike and pedestrian crossings, thus providing infinitely greater access to the coast for residents and visitors. Access benefits. Currently, this section of railway has 65 train trips per day requiring stoppage of vehicular, bicycle and pedestrian traffic. By 2030, there will be 119 train trips per day. This roughly doubling of train trips will further restrict access to the coast ifthe double-tracks are constructed at-grade with the two existing at-grade crossings. Grade-separating the tracks would increase east-west crossings and eliminate delay, greatly improving all travel modes and access to the coast. • Noise benefits. The noise generated from the train horns would be eliminated with the trench option. The elimination ofthe two existing at-grade crossings and the related requirement to sound a horn prior to all at-grade crossings, would dramatically and significantly improve the environment and enjoyment of our coastal resources for all residents and visitors. The ability to sleep soundly in our coastal area, to simply enjoy a conversation, read a book or have a meal would all be greatly enhanced by eliminating noise from the railway. • Safety benefits. Since 2010 there have been seven fatal train incidents in the Carlsbad Village section ofthe railway, all involving pedestrians. Five ofthe seven were ruled accidental, and four of the five involved alcohol. With the nearly doubling ofthe number of trains per day, the doubling of directions of train travel now possible with two tracks, and the increasing number of visitors and residents in this area, it is more than reasonable to assume that the number of incidents will increase ifthe railway remains at-grade. Carlsbad believes that a trench option would greatly reduce the incident rate and lower resident and visitor pedestrian fatalities by removing the existing at-grade crossings. • Smart growth benefits. Carlsbad Village is identified as an existing smart growth area on SANDAG's Smart Growth Concept Map. Carisbad has increased residential densities in the Barrio and Village areas in close proximity to the Carlsbad Transit Station. A trench option would provide quicker and safer access for residents and visitors to the transit center with the elimination of crossing gates and the required stoppage occurring 119 times at two at-grade crossings. Improved access will spur the economic reinvestment necessary to realize the full potential ofthis smart growth, transit-oriented area. • Multi-modal coastal benefits. The trench option would provide all rail users with quicker, safer access to our coastline with multiple access points for vehicles, bikes and pedestrians, both north and south ofthe transit center. An at-grade railway will increase delay and restrict access CARLSBAD VILLAGE DOUBLE TRACK JULY 17, 2014 Page 4 to our coastline for those arriving at our transit center providing only two at-grade crossings with ever increasing congestion. • Environmental benefits. Greenhouse gas emissions will be significantly reduced with the trench option by restoring a street grid system of multiple connecting points and traffic load-sharing, improving the ability to walk, ride a bicycle, and potentially take a future electric shuttle. The San Diego rail corridor was built more than 100 years ago. The to-be-constructed double-track railway in Carlsbad will continue to serve this city and region for the next 100 years and more. The rail improvement choices we make today will have dramatic long-term consequences for coastal resources and access. Carlsbad believes that current and future generations of residents and visitors deserve that we get it right: a grade-separated, trenched rail corridor will create greater access to the coastline, an enhanced environment of reduced noise and air pollution, a safer and more enjoyable walking and bicycling experience, and a restored grid street system connecting our residents and visitors with the coastline. Should you have any questions, please contact me at (760) 602-2751. We look forward to working with you and your staff on future steps of the PWP/TREP. Sincerely, Steve ^rkozy VT City Manager c: Deborah Lee, District Manager, California Coastal Commission, delivered via email Gabriel Buhr, Coastal Program Manager, California Coastal Commission, delivered via email Gary Barberio, Assistant City Manager Kathy Dodson, Assistant City Manager Glen Van Peski, Community and Economic Development Director Jim Howell, Interim Public Works Director 40! e Sfreet, Suite 800 SanDiego, CA 92101-4231 (619) 699-1900 Fax (619) 699-1905 www.sandag.org August 6, 2014 File Number 1200501 MEMBER AGENCIES Cities of Carlsbad Chula Vista Coronado Del Mar El Cajon Endnitas Escondido Imperial Beach La Mesa Lemon Grove National Oty Oceanside Poway San Diego San Marcos Santee Solana Beach Vista and County of San Diego ADVISOBY MEMBERS Imperial County California Department of Transportation Metropolitan Transit System North County Transit District United States Department of Defense San Diego Unified Port District San Diego County Water Authority Southern California Tribal Chairmen's Association Mexico Ms. Sherilyn Sarb, Deputy Director California Coastal Commission 7575 Metropolitan Drive Ste 103 San Diego, CA 92108-4402 Dear Ms. Sarb: SUBJECT: Draft North Coast Corridor Public Works PlanA'ransportation and Resource Enhancement Program (PWP/TREP) - LOSSAN Double- tracking in Carlsbad Village This letter is in response to the City of Carlsbad's July 17, 2014, letter regarding the same subject. Improvements to the LOSSAN/coastal rail corridor are a critical component of our ability to meet future mobility demands in the North Coast Corridor (NCC). As such, the SANDAG Board of Directors has included more than $300 million in funds in the TransNet Early Action Program for improvements that focus on adding track capacity to the corridor in order to offer more commuter and intercity passenger rail and freight rail services. In all, more than 20 individual corridor projects are included in this program, six projects of which are funded through their completion. The double tracking project through the Carlsbad Village area of the City of Carlsbad is currently funded through the preliminary engineering and environmental stages only. SANDAG is also planning to hold a public workshop this fall in the community to solicit input into the project. Through recent meetings with the City of Carlsbad staff, we are aware of the concerns expressed in the letter regarding at-grade and grade-separated rail improvements. As a result, SANDAG has committed to city staff that a feasibility analysis will be conducted on a future grade-separated/trench alternative. Currently, City and SANDAG staffs are working on a draft outline of this document, which is expected to take a few months to prepare. Furthermore, we feel that the language currently drafted in the PWP/TREP is sufficient to allow for study of alignment alternatives during the project-level phase of analysis and do not see additional changes to the PWP/TREP necessary at this time in order to allow us to complete this feasibility analysis. We appreciate the Commission's attention to the NCC and look forward to working with your staff and the City of Carlsbad on this analysis. Should you have any questions, please contact Charles "Muggs" Stoll, Director of Land Use and Transportation Planning at mst@sandag.org or (619) 699- 6945. Sincerely, 'GARYO. GALLEGOS Executive Director LC/ Cc: Mayor Matt Hall, City of Carlsbad Steve Sarkozy, City Manager, City of Carlsbad Deborah Lee, District Manager, California Coastal Commission Gabriel Buhr, Coastal Program Manager, California Coastal Commission Gary Barberio, Assistant City Manager, City of Carlsbad Kathy Dodson, Assistant City Manager, City of Carlsbad Glen Van Peski, Community and Economic Development Director, City of Carlsbad Jim Howell, Interim Public Works Director, City of Carlsbad 16 SMMDt 401 B Street, Suite 800 SanDiego, CA 92101-4231 (619)699-1900 Fax (619) 699-1905 www.sandag.org MEMBER AGENCIES Cities of Carlsbad chula Vista Coronado Del Mar El Cajon Encinitas Escondido Imperial Beach La Mesa Lemon Grove National City Oceanside Poway San Diego San Marcos Santee Solana Beach Vista and County of San Diego ADVISORY MEMBERS Imperial County California Department ofTransportation Metropolitan Transit System North County Transit District United States Department of Defense San Diego Unified Port District San Diego County Water Authority Southern California Tribal Chairmen's Association Mexico August 18, 2014 Mr. Steve Sarkozy City Manager City of Carlsbad 1200 Carlsbad Village Dr. Carlsbad, CA 92008-1949 Dear Mr. Sarkozy: As discussed at a meeting with the City of Carlsbad on August 12, 2014 this letter serves to document SANDAG's commitment to develop a "Project Study Report" that will include a feasibility analysis of a grade-separated/trench alternative for the double tracking project through the Carlsbad Village area of the City of Carlsbad. Since this project is currently only funded through preliminary engineering and the environmental stages, the "Project Study Report" will be conducted in advance of the ongoing work. This would allow for a grade-separated/ trench alternative to be considered as part of the overall project and would be considered in the environmental document. As agreed, the "Project Study Report" will include a high level economic assessment, which could be augmented or enhanced by the City of Carlsbad. SANDAG expects to complete the "Project Study Report" within a 6-9 month time period. We appreciate the City of Carlsbad's interest in our double tracking projects and look forward to working with you as we implement these critical projects for the San Diego region. Should you have any questions please do not hesitate to call, I can be reached at (619) 699- 1990. Sincerely, jar/i. Galtegos Executive Director STATE OF CAUFORNIA—NATURAL RESOURCES AGENCY EDMUND G. BROWN. JR , GOVERMOR CALIFORNIA COASTAL COMMISSION 45 FREMONT STREET, SUITE 2000 SAN FRANCISCO, CA 94105-2219 VOICE AND TDD (415) 904-5200 October 16,2014 Rob Rundle SANDAG 401 B Street, Suite 800 SanDiego, CA 92101 Allan Kosup Califomia Department of Transportation, District 11 4050 Taylor Street SanDiego, CA 92110-2737 Re: Future environmental review and alternatives analysis for LOSSAN rail corridor improvements Dear Mr. Rundle and Mr. Kosup: On August 13, 2013, the Califomia Coastal Commission unanimously concurred with the consistency certification (CC-0002-14) submitted by the Califomia Department of Transportation (Caltrans) and the San Diego Association of Govemments (SANDAG) for the North Coast Corridor Public Works Plan/Transportation and Resource Enhancement Program (NCC PWP/TREP). The consistency certification was one component of a multifaceted submittal, which also included a Public Works Plan and several Local Coastal Program amendments. The documents were collectively referenced as follows: Public Works Plan and Transportation and Resource Enhancement Program (PWP/TREP) PWP-6-NCC-13-0203-1 plus associated Local Coastal Program (LCP) Amendments for the Cities of San Diego LCP-6-SAN-14-0813-1, Encinitas LCP-6-ENC- 14-0814-1, Carlsbad LCP-6-CAR-14-0814-1, and Oceanside LCP-6-OCN-14-086-1 and Federal Consistency Review CC-0002-14. The Commission's action included approvals of all the above submittals, which were combined into a single staff report, which can be found on the Commission's website at: http://documents.coastal.ca.gov/reports/2014/8/W17a-s-8-2014.pdf. As noted in the staff report: The TREP component of the NCC PWP/TREP functions as a master federal consistency certification to ensure the entire suite of rail, highway, transit, bicycle, pedestrian and other community and resource improvements will be appropriately linked, phased and implemented in a manner consistent with applicable Coastal Act policies. However, given the long-term nature (30 - 40 year planning horizon) of this planning process, many individual project components have not been described to a level of specificity allowing final determinations of consistency at this time. This initial review is therefore programmatic, and at appropriate future dates, once specific projects are more fully developed, further federal consistency review will need to be conducted in a phased manner as plans evolve, and when future federal funding and permitting decisions are being made. The standard of review in these cases will remain the Coastal Act, with the affected LCP(s) and the PWP/TREP providing guiding policy and/or background information. To assist in these reviews, the NCC PWP/TREP identifies specific filing content requirements regarding future federal consistency submittals for projects included within the NCC PWP/TREP. Also, given the long-term nature of the planning, it is inevitable that future modifications to rail, highway, community, and resource enhancement project design and/or changes within the project area will occur that will need to be reviewed for changes in resource impacts not considered during this initial federal consistency review for the NCC PWP/TREP. These situations may also trigger the needfor additional federal consistency review. The Commission notes, and the NCC PWP/TREP (Section 6A) provides, the manner in which changes to the activities described in the NCC PWP/TREP, or in impacts to coastal resources, will be addressed in future federal consistency reviews. These future reviews may involve analysis and determinations under the "re-opener clause " of the federal consistency review process. In this initial, programmatic review, the Commission found the project described in the NCC PWP/TREP consistent with the enforceable policies of the Califomia Coastal Management Program (i.e., Chapter 3 of the Coastal Act) on a comprehensive, programmatic basis, with the understanding that future, project-specific Coastal Act reviews would be needed prior to implementation of specific project components. The staff report noted: Given the long-term nature of this planning process (30-40 year planning horizon), many individual project components have not been described to a level of specificity allowing final determinations at this time. Also, it is inevitable that future modifications to rail, highway, community, and resource enhancement project design and/or changes within the project area will occur that will need to be reviewed for changes in resource impacts not considered during this initial review. Thus, further Commission review will need to be conducted at appropriate future dates, once specific projects are more fully developed, and when future state/federal funding and permitting decisions are being made. During the public review period for the NCC PWP/TREP, concems were raised by local jurisdictions regarding the adequacy of altematives analyses currently being conducted for individual LOSSAN rail projects that are undergoing preliminary engineering design and project development. This letter is intended to reiterate the Commission's position that future federal consistency review of individual LOSSAN rail corridor projects would require additional environmental review and altematives analysis beyond the information originally collected as a part of the programmatic Final Environmental Impact Statement (FEIS) for the LOSSAN corridor. Similar direction was provided previously in Commission staffs original comment letter on the LOSSAN FEIS (dated December 17, 2007): -3- Commission staff notes that the FEIS/FEIR describes a number of LOSSAN alignments and design features that were considered during this programmatic review, including several that were eliminated from future consideration. While we agree that those alternatives should no longer be considered because of their potential of their potential to pose serious environmental impacts, we want to be clear that this programmatic review cannot be interpreted as providing sufficient information to determine if the least environmentally damaging alternative for future improvements have been identified. Our expectation is the future specific project reviews will provide for a full array of alternatives information so that the most environmentally sound alignments and design features of each LOSSAN improvement can be determined at this time. Throughout the NCC PWP/TREP, language is included that requires early pre-consultation and coordination with Commission staff and other interested stakeholders be conducted as an integral part of individual project development. This coordination is imperative to ensure that the necessary environmental information has been collected, and appropriate ahematives have been analyzed, in order to inform Commission review of project consistency with both the Coastal Act and the NCC PWP/TREP. Commission staff appreciates the ongoing collaborative efforts undertaken in the development of the NCC PWP/TREP and look forward to continuing this partnership to address the public access and transportation needs within the San Diego County Coastal Zone. Please do not hesitate to contact me (415 904-5289) or Gabriel Buhr in the San Diego District Office (619 767-2370) with any questions you might have. Sincerely, ib- MARK DELAPLAINE Manager, Energy, Ocean Resources and Federal Consistency Division cc: Sherilyn Sarb (CCC) Deborah Lee (CCC) Tami Grove (CCC) Gabriel Buhr (CCC) Marisa Lundstedt (City of Oceanside) Gary Barberio (City of Carlsbad) Don Neu (City ofCarlsbad) Mike Strong (City of Encinitas) Wende Protzman (City of Solana Beach) Adam Bimbaum (City of Del Mar) Angela Nazareno (City of San Diego) CITY OF CARLSBAD 20140 LEGISLATIVE PLATFORM The City will actively monitor and advocate or oppose legislation as directed by the City Council, through this platform, to protect the City's interests and local legislative authority and will take appropriate action when required to safeguard and/or advance the City's interests. This includes preservmg and protecting the City's charter powers, duties and prerogatives to enact local legislation concerning local affairs. The purpose of this Legislative Platform is to clearly outline the position of the City Council on priority issues and matters that impact the city's ability to operate effectively, without precluding the consideration of additional legislative and budget issues that arise during the legislative session. The statements outlined below allow the mayor, council members, and staff to take rapid action on these and other legislative issues if necessary. General Government: (a) Oppose legislation or constitutional amendments that weaken or interfere with the powers of charter cities and preserve local autonomy or home rule authority. (b) Support measures which would strengthen cities' ability to reorganize and consolidate water districts, sewer districts, school districts, and other special districts that operate within or provide service to a city. (c) Support legislation that provides State assistance for local public libraries. (d) Support measures which provide adequate funding for the State Library. (e) Support measures which lead to a state or national energy policy. (f) Support state and federal funding and legislation for the arts that benefits local communities. (g) Support legislation reducing and providing for recovery of costs, maintaining privacy, and eliminating attorney's fees for administering public records laws. (h) Oppose federal measures which remove the deduction of all state and local taxes for federal income tax purposes. 4. Tort Reform: (a) Support measures to reform California's tort system to reduce/limit liability exposure for public agencies and restore the ability of public agencies to obtain affordable insurance. (b) Support legislation that recognizes or broadens immunities for public agencies and oppose legislation that attempts to limit or restrict existing immunities. (c) Support legislation that requires plaintiffs' to make a good faith showing of liability prior to filing a lawsuit against a public entity. Transportation: (a) Support measures that would increase the ability of local agencies to finance local transportation facilities. (b) Support measures to finance local and regional transportation facilities and improvements, including alternative modes of transportation and transportation demand management systems. (c) Support legislation that provides for effective and efficient transportation alternatives. (d) Oppose transportation proposals that would adversely affect the quality of life in North San Diego County by causing traffic congestion, air pollution or other problems. (e) Encourage and support double tracking of the rail corridor within the City limits in a manner that: L Eliminates or reduces existing at-grade rail crossings within the rail corridor. 2. Improves local, regional, and coastal access for all travel modes (bike. pedestrian, vehicle, transit) and improves public safetv response. 3^ Minimizes impacts to neighborhoods. 4, Maximizes communitv and neighborhood connections. 5^ Protects and/or improves the economic vibrancy of surrounding neighborhoods and the citv. 6. Protects and/or enhances environmental resources. Coastline: (a) Support measures which provide funding for urban waterfront restoration and enhancement. Carlsbad Village Double Track Project Gary T. Barberio, Assistant City Manager Nov. 25, 2014 Carlsbad Village Double Track Team •Gary T. Barberio, Assistant City Manager •Glen Van Peski, CED Director •Doug Bilse, City Traffic Engineer •Marshall Plantz, Senior Engineer •Dave de Cordova, Principal Planner •Brandon Miles, Associate Engineer •Peder Norby, City Consultant Carlsbad Village Double Track Presentation Outline •Background overview –LOSSAN Corridor –Carlsbad rail corridor •Carlsbad Village Double Track Project (CVDT) –Background –Current status –Next steps •City Council Requested Actions –Policy position –Fund appropriation 3 Background Overview LOSSAN Corridor •1989 -LOSSAN Rail Corridor JPA •2002 -NOP/NOI •2003 -LOSSAN Corridor Strategic Plan •Feb. 2009 -Record of Decision LOSSAN Corridor EIR/EIS •July 2009 -SD-LOSSAN Corridor Project Prioritization Analysis (Cambridge Study) 4 Background Overview Carlsbad Rail Corridor •2/3 of the corridor is double tracked •4 “at grade” and 4 “grade-separated rail crossings” •3 lagoon bridges and 2 Coaster Stations •65 train trips today (Coaster, Amtrak, freight) –Increasing to 120 trips by 2030 •Significant pedestrian fatalities 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 Carlsbad Village Double Track Project Background •North of Pine Ave., north to city limit •2010 -SANDAG approved design funding •2011 -SANDAG completed Project Study Report (PSR) for “at-grade” alternative •2012 -SANDAG initiated Preliminary Engineering and Environmental Assessment (PE & EA) •2013 –2014 SANDAG worked with city staff •May 2014 -SANDAG informed that “at-grade” alternative was unacceptable” 27 28 !"^$CHINQUAPIN AVPINE AVOAK AVCHESTNUT AVPINE AVPINE AVCHINQUAPIN AVOAK AVCHESTNUT AVGRAND AVGRAND AVOAK AVBEECH AVCARLSBAD VILLAGE DR JEFF E R S O N S T CHESTNUTAVLAS FLORES DRLAGUNA DRCARLSBAD BL STATE ST TAMARACK AVPACIFIC OCEAN BUENA VISTA LAGOON AGUA HEDIONDA LAGOON S A A A O N N N N B B .J:\Requests2010Plus\CityManager\5370986_14Rail Service - North Carlsbad A At-Grade Rail Crossing B Rail Bridge N New Grade-Separated Rail Crossings O Grade-Separated Over Crossing S Coaster Station Double Tracks Single Tracks City Boundary 29 30 31 32 33 34 Carlsbad Village Double Track Project Current Status •City makes case for analysis of “trench” alternative •August 2014 -SANDAG commits to: –Putting PE & EA for “at-grade” on hold –Funding & Initiating a PSR for “trench” alternative –Complete, with city funding, an economic study 35 Carlsbad Village Double Track Project Next Steps •SANDAG initiates “trench” PSR in December (9 months to complete) •SANDAG to initiate Economic Study in December •PSR results will determine next steps 36 City Council Requested Actions Policy Position •Update Legislative Platform –Specific to double tracking •Supportive of double tracking –But in a manner most advantageous to the community and the corridor 37 City Council Requested Actions Funding Appropriation •Appropriate $250K from General Fund-Council Contingency –Not to exceed $100K –Rail Engineer Consultant –Not to exceed $100K –Economic Study –Not to exceed $50K –Public outreach, etc. 38 Recommendation •In support of the city’s efforts related to the Carlsbad Village Double Track project, approve Resolution No. 2014-268: –Updating Legislative Platform –Appropriating $250K from General Fund-Council Contingency 39 Carlsbad Village Double Track Project Background Questions? 40