Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAboutCDP 98-69; Saxony Pump Station Rehab; Coastal Development Permit (CDP) (22)DUDEK mtflneering, Planning, Corporate Officer 760.942.5147 Environmental Sciences and 605 Third Street Fax 760.632.0164 & ASSOCIATES, INC.' Management Services Encimtas, California 92024 September 15, 1998 1545-60 Mr. Gary Wayne Assistant Planning Director City of Carlsbad 2075 Las Palmas Drive Carlsbad, CA 92009 Re: Regular Coastal Permit for Improvements to the Existing Leucadia County Water District's Saxony Pump Station Dear Mr. Wayne: Dudek & Associates (DUDEK) has been hired by the Leucadia County Water District (The District) to complete the necessary environmental documentation required for approval of the proposed improvements to the existing Saxony Pump Station located at 1960 La Costa Avenue in the City of Carlsbad. It was determined by the City of Carlsbad that the proposed changes to the pump station represented an increase in development density, therefore a coastal development permit is required. Attached are the required application forms along with the attachments requested as a part of the application. Barbara Kennedy of the City of Carlsbad indicated that a complete application for a Coastal Development Permit consisted of Forms 1 (Application Checklist), 15 (Supplemental Application form for all Coastal Development Permits), and 16 (Land Use Review Application). These completed application forms are attached along with the following: Q 10 copies of the Site Plans, Grading Plan, Pump Station Demolition Plan, Fencing Details, Enlarged Demolition Plan, Enlarged Site Plan, Pump Station Interior Plan. Q 1 Copy of the Final Mitigated Negative Declaration completed for the project and certified by the District. The intent of this letter is to provide a clear explanation of the project responses to detailed questions found in Forms 1, 15, and 16 of the Coastal Development Permit Application. Upon our review of the permit, DUDEK concluded that an explanation for many of the inquiries was in order. Please note that not every question on each form is addressed in this letter, only those that we thought needed additional clarification. Questions on each sheet in need of clarification are marked accordingly on the application forms. c Mr. Gary Wayne 1545-60 City of Carlsbad Page 2 FORM 1 All required information is shown on the plans as specified in the Application with the exception of the items noted on Form 1. Items noted on Form 1 that are not shown on the attached plans are either attached as exhibits or additional plans or noted as not applicable to this project. FORM 15 Please see notes provided on the attached Form 15. The following are project responses to Specific Application Requirements for Section VII of Form 15 that would not fit on the application form itself. B. Coastal Resource Protection Overlay Zone 5. Geologic report addressing landslides and slope stability subject to Subsection 21.203.040 (B) (4) of the Carlsbad Municipal Code. Response: A geologic report addressing landslides and slope stability has been completed for the project. Refer to Attachment A, Geotechnical Investigation, of the MND as well as Section 5.3 of the MND. Based on the geotechnical report, the MND concludes that there is no risk of landslides due to the flat nature of the site. Based on the geotechnical report, the MND also concludes that there is no risk of liquefaction due to project engineering. 6. Geologic report addressing landslides and seismic hazards subject to Subsection 21.203.040 (C) and (D) of the Carlsbad Municipal Code. Response: A geologic report addressing landslides and seismic hazards has been completed for the project. Refer to Attachment A, Geotechnical Investigation, of the MND as well as Section 5.3 of the MND. Based on the geotechnical report, the MND states that there is no risk of landslides due to the flat nature of the site. Based on the geotechnical study, the MND also concludes that measures required by the geotechnical report if incorporated into the project design would reduce potential impacts from seismic activity to below a level of significance. D. Coastal Resource Overlay Zone Mello 1 LCP Segment 1. Erosion, sedimentation and drainage report if project is located in the Batiquitos Lagoon Watershed. Response: See Section 5.4 of the MND. Although this project is located within the Batiquitos Lagoon watershed, the construction area would constitute a total of 0.18 acre. Therefore, the impacts to local water quality due to drainage, sedimentation and erosion would not be significant. .w Mr. Gary Wayne 1545-60 City of Carlsbad Page 3 Section IX Required Coastal Permit Findings 1. That the proposed development is in conformance with the Certified Local Coastal Program and all applicable policies. Response: The following is a discussion of the consistency of the project with the applicable policies contained in Chapter II-4. East Batiquitos Lagoon/Hunt Properties, of the LCP. LCP pg.79 3. Item Number 1. Batiquitos Lagoon Special Treatment Overlay: The wetlands as defined and determined by CDFG and FWS shall be constrained from development, pursuant to Section 30233 (C) (Public Resources Code). Any alteration of the wetlands shall be limited to minor incidental public faculties, restorative measures, and nature studies. Furthermore, any alteration of the wetlands must be approved by the City of Carlsbad and the Coastal Commission. The latter because it will retain Coastal Development Permit jurisdiction. In addition, any wetland alteration will require federal approval through an Army Corps of Engineers (COE) permit. Response: The project would conform with this objective considering that the project represents improvements to a minor incidental public facility. The project would consist of minor improvements to existing pump station facilities as well as modifications to the location of the project access road and truck turnout area. In addition, this application would properly notify the City of Carlsbad as well as the Coastal Commission of potential affects to wetland and riparian areas of Batiquitos Lagoon. The District is currently in the process of applying for the necessary permits with the California Department of Fish and Game, the US Army Corps of Engineers, and the Regional Water Quality Control Board. LCP pg. 79 3. Item Number 2. Wetlands Buffer: The lagoon Special Treatment Overlay shall include a buffer area outside the wetlands boundary as mapped by CDFG and FWS. The buffer shall be of sufficient width (minimum 100 feet unless approved by the Coastal Commission or its successor as part of a Coastal Development Permit) so as to provide a transition habitat as well as provide a protective area to reduce possible disruptive impacts to the lagoon's wildlife and habitats. No development shall occur within the wetlands buffer except for the lateral public access trail described in Policy A1C above. Response: The project would require an encroachment into the wetland buffer zone. However, the amount of impact is 0.14 acre of southern willow scrub which would be mitigated at a ratio of 3:1 (0.42 acre) within the Batiquitos Lagoon. Impacts to wetlands have been minimized and avoided where possible, and the footprint of the proposed access road and turnaround area will impact the minimum acreage of wetlands while providing the minimum space necessary for the maintenance vehicles. Mr. Gary Wayne 1545-60 City of Carlsbad Page 4 LCP pg. 80, Item Number 4. Grading and Erosion Control Response: Implementation of the project would not substantially alter existing drainage patterns. While construction of the access road and vehicle turnaround would increase the extent of impervious surfaces in the project vicinity, these impervious surfaces would only cover an area of approximately 0.29 acre. It is not anticipated that the minor increase in impervious surfaces would significantly alter drainage patterns associated with the Lagoon or La Costa Avenue. No major changes in topography and subsequently the use of manufactured slopes will result from implementation of the proposed project. Construction of the project could result in some erosion due to soil disturbance during grading. However, erosion control measures, such as the use of sandbags, will be implemented to reduce potential soil erosion during construction. LCP pg. 83, Item Number 5. Landscaping Response: The project does not propose any landscaping beyond wetland restoration efforts off site. As discussed in Section 5.7 of the MND, prior to construction, the District will devise a revegetation plan and revegetate 0.42 acre of southern willow scrub/mule fat scrub located offsite which is similar in species richness and structure to that removed. LCP pg. 83, Item Number 6. Scenic and Visual Qualities Response: As stated in the LCP requirement, La Costa Avenue is a designated scenic corridor and views from the corridor are of particular concern to the City. Implementation of the proposed access road and vehicle turnaround would require disturbance of vegetation associated with Batiquitos Lagoon that would be visible from La Costa Avenue. However, as discussed in Section 5.3 of the MND implementation of the project would not have an adverse impact to views of motorists from La Costa Avenue. Disturbance of vegetation associated with the access road and turnaround area would constitute approximately 0.29 acre (approximately 0.16 acre for the pump station and truck turnaround area and approximately 0.13 acre for the access road). In addition, structures proposed as a part of the project would not exceed ten feet in height and would not obscure any views from La Costa Avenue. Implementation of the project would have beneficial effects on views from La Costa. As a part of the project, the existing pump station facilities would be placed underground. Existing electrical and telephone poles located adjacent to the roadway would also be placed underground to accommodate the access road. C 3 Mr. Gary Wayne 1545-60 City of Carlsbad Page 5 LCP pg. 84, Item Number 7. Public Access Response: The proposed improvements would be located outside of the La Costa Avenue right-of-way and, therefore, would not inhibit public access for vehicles or service on La Costa Avenue. The proposed access road and turn-around would be located completely outside of planned pedestrian/bicycle trails within La Costa Avenue and would, therefore, not create hazards to pedestrian, bicyclist, or motor vehicle traffic on La Costa Avenue. LCP pg. 84, Item Number 8. State Lands Commission Review Response: State Lands would be involved in the development of the proposed project. The applicant is currently applying for a surface lease of state lands with the State Land Commission. The approval date of this application is unknown at this time. 2. That the development is in conformity with the pubic access and public recreation policies of Chapter 3 of the Coastal Act. Response: LCP pg. 84, Item Number 7. Public Access Response: The proposed improvements would be located outside of the La Costa Avenue right-of-way and, therefore, would not inhibit public access for vehicles or service on La Costa Avenue. The proposed access road and turn-around would be located completely outside of planned pedestrian/bicycle trails within La Costa Avenue and would, therefore, not create hazards to pedestrian, bicyclist, or motor vehicle traffic on La Costa Avenue. 3. That the development conforms with any applicable decision pertinent to this proposed and/or site as set by the Coastal Commission on a previously related appeals decision per Public Resources Code 30604(c). Response: No Coastal Commission appeal to a permit issued by the Leucadia County Water District or the City of Carlsbad has ever been filed for the pump station facilities. FORM 16 All required information is shown on the plans as specified in the Application with the exception of the items noted on Form 16. Items noted on Form 16 that are not shown on the attached plans are either attached as exhibits or additional plans or noted as not applicable to this project. Mr. Gary Wayne 1545-60 City of Carlsbad Page 6 This concludes our additional analysis of the Saxony Pump Station Rehabilitation Project in reference to the Coastal Permit mandated by the City of Carlsbad in accordance with the LCP. Please do not hesitate to contact me if any issues are in need of additional clarification. I can be reached at (760) 942-5147. Very truly yours, Dudek & Associates, Inc. James Harry Environmental Blahner cc: Mike Bardin, Leucadia County Water District Steve Jepsen, Dudek & Associates, Inc. w/Att.