HomeMy WebLinkAbout3190; Rancho Sante Fe Road Bridge Replacement; Rancho Sante Fe Road Bridge Replacement; 1997-03-25te
p' VISUAL ASSESSMENT OF
^ RANCHO SANTA FE ROAD BRIDGE REPLACEMENT
£1 —^————————-
ip City of Carlsbad Project No, 3190
Preparedfor:
^ CITY OF CARLSBAD
2075 Las Palmas Drive
^ Carlsbad, Ca 92009-1576
Contact: Doug Helming
Prepared by:
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605 Third Street
Encinitas, Ca 92024
March 25,1997
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TABLE OF CONTENTS
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y 1.0 PURPOSE OF THE VISUAL ASSESSMENFI 1
te 2.0 PROPOSED PROJECT 2
3.0 EXISTING CONDITIONS 6
y 4.0 ENVIRONMENTAL EVALUATION 12
m 5.0 ANALYSIS OF SIGNIFICANCE 16
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6.0 RECOMMENDED MITIGATION MEASURES 17
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y 7.0 REFERENCES 18
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LIST OF FIGURES
Figure 1 Project Location 2
Figure 2 Melrose Drive Connection Alternative 3
Figure 3 Rancho Santa Fe Road Direct Connection Altemative 5
Figure 4 Site Photo KeyMap 7
Figure 5 Existing Site Photos 1 and 2 8
Figure 6 Existing Site Photos 3,4 and 5 9
Figure 7 . Existing Site Photos 6 and 7 10
Figures Viewshed Boundary 11
Figure 9 Rancho Santa Fe Road Bridge Replacement Visual Simulation 14
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Visual Assessment for Rancho Santa Fe Road Bridge Replacement
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1.0 PURPOSE OF THE VISUAL ASSESSMENT
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The purpose of this visual assessment is to assist the City of Carlsbad in preparing the environmental
documentation meeting the National Environmental Protection Act (NEPA) and the California
h i Environmental Ouaiity Act (CEQA) requirements for the construction of a replacement bridge and
associated roadway improvements on Rancho Santa Fe Road over San Marcos Creek. This report will
r determine potential impacts of the project to the visual character of the area as viewed from
surrounding land uses as well as potential impacts to views of motorists on the project roadway.
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Visual Assessment for Rancho Santa Fe Road Bridge Replacement
2.0 PROPOSED PROJECT
Project Description
y The proposed project realigns and widens approximately 3,500 linear feet of Rancho Santa Fe Road
(S-10) from two lanes to an ultimate 6-lane Prime Arterial Roadway from just, south of Ouesthaven
1^ Road to just north of Melrose Drive in northern San Diego County (see Figure 1). The proposed
widening and realignment project is a part of the City of Carlsbad's General Plan to upgrade Rancho
C! Santa Fe Road to meet its designation as a Prime Arterial Roadway. A Prime Arterial Roadway has
a 126-foot right-of-way containing six traveled lanes, a bike lane, an 18-foot raised median, sidewalks,
curb and gutter. The new bridge over San Marcos Creek is planned to accommodate the Prime
P; Arterial Roadway. The bridge replacement project will involve construction of a new bridge in a
location west of the existing bridge. TJie existing bridge will be demolished.
Along with the new bridge, the project includes construction of roadway improvements in the south
and north ends. The southerly roadway approach for the proposed bridge will extend approximately
p* 1,800 feet which will include reconstructing the Questhaven and Rancho Santa Fe Roads intersection,
te and reconstmcting approximately 600 to 800 feet of Questhaven Road east of the intersection. If the
portion of Rancho Santa Fe Road located south of this project is delayed, then a detour will be used
*" to join the Rancho Santa Fe Road Bridge approach with the existing alignment of Rancho Santa Fe
^ Road. In this portion of the southern Prime Arterial Roadway, the project is to construct a 32-foot
width of pavement on either side of the median curbs, inner two lanes in each direction, plus 8 feet
• of the third lane, the median curbs, and the appropriate tum lanes.
^ The northerly roadway approach for the new bridge(s) will be approximately 1,700 feet long and
•i includes the reconstruction of the La Costa Meadows Drive/Rancho Santa Fe Road intersection, and
the reconstruction of approximately 500 feet of La Costa Meadows Drive east of the intersection.
The realigned Rancho Santa Fe Road will be constructed to the full width on the east side of the
** median, wdth sidewalks, curb and gutter and street lights from the bridge to north of Melrose Drive,
pi The west side of the roadway will be constructed wdth 32 feet of paving adjacent to the median curb.
k' There are two alternatives for the connection of Rancho Santa Fe Road with Melrose Drive:
to] 1) The preferred alternative for the realigned Rancho Santa Fe Road is to match into
V existing Melrose Drive by curving to the west at the southerly end of the proposed
Meadowland Subdivision (CT 85-19). This arrangement will necessitate closing of
y the existing Corintia Street access to Melrose Drive and extending Xana Way
southerly and easterly to meet Melrose Drive (see Figure 2). Existing Rancho Santa
M Fe Road located north of the study area in San Marcos would be curved at its
ii- southerly terminus to "T" into the new Meirose/Rancho Santa Fe Road alignment.
March 25,1997 Pg.2
BASE MAP SOURCE: USGS 7.5 Minute Series, RanchD Santa Fe Quadrangle r - 2000"
Visual Assessment of Rancho Santa Fe Road Bridge Replacement
Project Location
FIGURE
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Visual Assessment of Rancho Santa Fe Road Bridge Replacement
iVIelrose Drive Connection Alternative
FIGURE
Visual Assessment for Rancho Santa Fe Road Bridge Replacement
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2) The altemative alignment is for Rancho Santa Fe Road to match into existing Rancho
Santa Fe Road similar to the existing arrangement. Mekose Drive would then swing
east to intersect with Rancho Santa Fe Road in a location about 450 feet northerly of
pil the present intersection. Corintia Street would extend east to intersect with the
If ! realigned Melrose Drive (see Figure 3).
Currently, Rancho Santa Fe Road is a two-lane conventional highway in northem San Diego County
k which connects the City of Encinitas in the south with the City of Vista to the north. The majority
^ of the proposed project will lie within the City of Carisbad with some project within the City of San
ll I Marcos. The proposed project alignment traverses rolling hill terrain and would generally be to the
south and west of the existing Rancho Santa Fe Road alignment. The proposed project area has
I" traditionally had low volumes of intra-regional and inter-regional traffic. However, there is
• anticipated to be future growth in the cpmmercial and residential development along Rancho Santa
Fe Road. This increase in traffic volume due to regional growth, coupled with projected local and
regional increases in traffic volume associated with further development in this area, necessitate the
widening of Rancho Santa Fe Road.
The existing Rancho Santa Fe Road consists of two paved lanes with an asphalt berm on the west
side and a combination of asphalt berm and concrete curb on the east side. A truck by-pass route
creates a three-plane paved road with asphalt berm on both sides in uphill areas of the stretch. San
Marcos Creek is crossed by an existing bridge which is located between the Questhaven Road
intersection and the Melrose Drive intersection. Rancho Santa Fe Road has two northbound lanes
and one southbound lane across the bridge.
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March 25, 1997 Pg.5
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BASE MAP SOURCE:
City of Carisbad, February 1997 Scale In Feet
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Visual Assessment of Rancho Santa Fe Road Bridge Replacement
Rancho Santa Fe Road Direct Connection Alternative
FIGURE
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Visual Assessment for Rancho Santa Fe Road Bridge Replacement
3.0 EXISTING CONDITIONS
The topography of the project site is characterized by undulating terrain that drains to San Marcos
Creek. Large hills surrounding the existing roadway range from 700 feet above mean sea level (msl)
to 1,400 feet above msl. The existing Rancho Santa Fe Road alignment extends through the lower
elevations and level terrain (300-600 feet above msl) at the base of the larger hillsides.
The hills in the project vicinity are predominantly vacant land typically covered by dense chaparral
vegetation. In 1996, a fire burned a majority of the area immediately to the east and southwest of
the project site leaving the hillsides generally clear of vegetation.
Existing urban land uses in the immediate vicinity of the proposed improvements include the
existing Rancho Santa Fe Road alignment, an industrial park, and two single family detached
residential developments as well as vacant land associated with San Marcos Creek and the
surrounding hills (See Figures 4-7)-
A map of available views of the site from surrounding areas is illustrated in Figure 8. A majority of
the area immediately surrounding the site consists of vacant hillsides. Generally unobstructed views
of portions or all of the roadway are available from these hillsides. Views of the site from the more
level San Marcos Creek area to the east of the site are partially to completely obscured by intervening
topography or structures. The site is visible from the eastern units located within the residential
development adjacent to Corintia Avenue. Unobstructed views of the site are available from the
three industrial and office structures that are located adjacent to the exiting roadway to the east.
Views available from the existing residential developments as well as the industrial park are
illustrated in Figures 6 and 7-
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Visual Assessment of Rancho Santa Fe Road Bridge Replacement
Site Photo Key Map
FIGURE
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Site Photo 1: View looking southwest from intersection of Rancho
Santa Fe Road and Questhaven Road.
Site Photo 2: View of intersection of Rancho Santa Fe Road and
Questhaven Road.
Visual Assessment of Rancho Santa Fe Road Bridge Replacement
Existing Site Photos 1 and 2
FIGURE
Site Photo 3: View looking southwest from Rancho Santa Fe Road
and industrial park.
Site Photo 4: View looking northeast from Rancho Santa Fe Road.
Site Photo 5: View of existing bridge, looking southwest from
industrial park.
Visual Assessment of Rancho Santa Fe Road Bridge Replacement
Existing Site Photos 3,4 and 5
FIGURE
Site Photo 6: View of intersection of Rancho Santa Fe Road and La
Costa Meadows Drive.
Site Photo 7: View of Rancho Santa Fe Road, looking southeast from
intersection of Xana Way and Corintia Street.
Visual Assessment of Rancho Santa Fe Road Bridge Replacement
Existing Site Photos 6 and 7
FIGURE
BASE MAP SOURCE: USGS 7.5 Minute Series, Rancho Santa Fe Quadrangle 1"- 2000'
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Visual Assessment of Rancho Santa Fe Road Bridge Replacement
Viewshed Boundary
FIGURE
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Visual Assessment for Rancho Santa Fe Road Bridge Replacement
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4.0 ENVIRONMENTAL EVALUATION
Grading Requirements for Roadway
Grading required for the project under both the Melrose Drive Connection and Rancho Santa Fe Road
Direct Connection Alternatives are illustrated in Figures Z and 5. As shown in Figures Z and 3, grading
necessary to construct the bridge design as well as the intersection improvements for each altemative
would involve use of fill and cut slopes and would be essentially identical under both Altematives
One and Two. As shown in Figure Z, two fill slopes ranging in height from 15 to 20 feet are proposed
immediately to the south and north of the proposed bridge. Minor fill slopes (< 10 feet in height) are
proposed in association with improvements to Questhaven and La Costa Meadows drive. Grading
along the western portion of the road alignment would involve construction of three cut slopes of
16, 40, and 50 feet in height. Total grading quantities for both Alternatives One and Two would be
approximately 86,000 cubic yards of fill and 179,000 cubic yards of cut.
Use of cut slopes measuring 16, 40, and 50 feet in height along the southern portion of the roadway
P- would represent a substantial alteration of the existing topography as well as the visual character of
L the immediate vicinity. As indicated in Figure 5, the proposed roadway would be located in an area
characterized by undulating terrain. Views of the southern portion of the roadway would be partially
^ to completely obscured from existing residential uses and other sensitive receptors such as public
^ parks. Views of the proposed improvements from the road are a concern considering the vacant,
p. relatively undisturbed visual character of the area. Upon implementation of the project, views from
^ the road for north and southbound travelers within the Area of Potential Effect would include
manufactured slopes that extend for approximately 1,600 feet along the westem portion of the right-
^ of-way and 1,200 feet of smaller (up to 16 feet in height) cut slopes along the eastern portion of the
^ right-of-way. Considering the relatively undisturbed visual character of the area, constmction of
large manufactured slopes in proximity to the roadway would be considered a significant adverse
impact to the viewshed to both southbound and northbound motorists.
• Proposed grading would also potentially conflict with the intent of the City of Carisbad General Plan
m- regarding scenic corridors. According to the City of Carisbad General Plan, Rancho Santa Fe Road
is considered to be a Community Scenic Corridor. Community scenic corridors interconnect major
Bj subareas of the present and planned Carisbad community and are subject to the Carisbad Scenic
Corridor Guidelines Manual. The goal of establishing the scenic corridors is to preserve and enhance
- the visual environmental and historical characteristics of the local community. Future grading
fi proposed as a part of the project wiU be subject to the requirements of the Scenic Corridor Guidelines
Manual.
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Differences between the alignment alternatives would not involve any substantial grading. Due to
^ level terrain, improvements to Melrose Avenue and Corintia associated with the Melrose Drive
Connection Altemative would involve minor landform alternation. Cut and fill slopes required to
jii extend Melrose drive would be less than < 10 feet in height (see Figure Z). The roadway connection
li between Xana Way and Rancho Santa Fe Road required under the Melrose Drive Connection
Altemative would require minimal grading with cut and fill slopes ranging from 1 to 3 feet. Grading
y for the Rancho Santa Fe Road Direct Connection would involve negligible grading in terms of fill or
cut slope height (see Figure 3). As shown in Figure 3, fill slopes less than 15 feet in height are required
E to accommodate the expansion of Rancho Santa Fe north of the replacement bridge under this
alternative.
C The construction of improvements associated with the Melrose Drive Connection would involve a
change to the visual character of the area surrounding the residential developments. As shown in
Figure 7, the area to the south of Corintia Way consists of vacant land characterized by level
2 topography and mderal vegetation. The proposed aUgrunent of Xana Way and Mekose Drive would
extend into this vacant area. While the improvements would change the foreground views from
E surrounding residential units, the change is not regarded as a significant adverse impact to the
residents overall viewshed. The type of uses included in the viewshed would not be substantially
altered with proposed improvements. The existing foreground viewshed of the residents includes
^ major roadways such as Melrose Drive and Rancho Santa Fe Road.
g Proposed Bridge(s) Facilify and Associated Grading
Bridge improvements under both altematives would include replacement of the existing bridge with
ffi a single bridge or bridges. The new surface of the bridge(s) would be approximately 7-12 feet taller
ll than the existing facility. The appearance of the bridge as well as grading associated with bridge
improvements for both altematives is illustrated inFigure 9- As shown inP/g«re 9, the bridge facility
E would be relocated east of the existing bridge and involve removal of existing mature trees. The
existing bridge is approximately 45 feet wide and 11 feet higher than the elevation at the floor of the
•I San Marcos Creek drainage (approximately 327 feet above mean sea level (msl) at the lowest point).
1^ Based on the conceptual roadway design, the surface of the proposed facilities would be
approximately 126 feet wide and be located at an elevation of 345 - 350 feet msl, which is
H approximately 18 - 23 feet higher than the lowest elevation of the San Marcos Creek drainage.
From the residential area north of Corintia, the replacement bridge(s) would represent an increase
E in facility size. Although the proposed bridge would represent a substantial increase in size compared
to the existing bridge, the improvements would not substantially alter any foreground views. Based
g on the distance of the residential area from the bridge facilities (approximately 1,000 to 1,500 feet),
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EXISTING VIEW
PROPOSED VIEW
SOURCE: Dudek & Associates, Inc.
Visual Assessment of Rancho Santa Fe Road Bridge Replacement
Bridge Replacement Visual Simulation
FIGURE
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Visual Assessment for Rancho Santa Fe Road Bridge Replacement
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the change would affect only long range views, which would not be regarded as adverse. In addition,
the type of uses avaiiabie within the long range view would not be substantially altered by the
proposed facilities. The existing view includes a bridge and roadway facilities similar to that
E proposed. It should also be noted that from the residential areas views of the facility would be
partially obscured by existing mature eucalyptus trees and riparian vegetation.
P; The bridge facility and adjacent road improvements would represent a substantial visual character
^ change to the industrial park located immediately adjacent to the existing road. As shown in Figure
9, the bridge and road improvements, including widening the road from 60 to 126 feet, would alter
the visual character of the area in the immediate vicinity of the industrial park. However, the change
is not regarded as a significant adverse impact because industrial park uses are generally not
te considered to be sensitive receptors. Views from private uses such as industrial parks are not
b' regulated due to the relatively low number of uses when compared with a public park or a large
subdivision. In addition, the proposed improvements, while larger in scale, do not represent an
alteration in visual character from the existing land use.
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^ Relationship of Project to Planned Surrounding Land Uses
^ The visual character of the area surrounding the southem portion of the proposed alignment will
change as the City General plan is built out. As discussed above, the southem portion of the roadway
alignment under both alternatives is currently surrounded by vacant land. These vacant areas wili
eventually be developed with single family residential uses in accordance with the City of Carlsbad
" General Plan. The General Plan designates Low Density Residential (0-1.5 DU/acre) for the area to
the east of the roadway. The vacant area immediately to the west of the roadway will eventually
be developed with Low-Medium Density Residential (0-4 DU/acre) uses.
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Although the proximity of the roadway to these residential uses is anticipated by the General Plan,
measures should be taken to minimize visual impacts associated with the realignment. Planned
to residential uses located in proximity to the roadway would have unobstmcted views of proposed cut
slopes ranging in height from 16 to 50 feet. Due to the high visibility, construction of large
manufactured slopes in proximity to residential uses is considered to be a potentially significant
adverse impact to the residents future viewshed. Measures recommended below to reduce impacts
to| to views from motorists on Rancho Santa Fe would also reduce potential impacts to planned
W residents to below a level of significance.
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Visual Assessment for Rancho Santa Fe Road Bridge Replacement
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5.0 ANALYSIS OF SIGNIFICANCE
Constmction of the three cut slopes at heights of 16,40, and 50 feet south of the bridge replacement
under both alignment altematives would be considered a significant adverse impact to the viewshed
to both southbound and northbound motorists as well as to residential uses planned adjacent to the
roadway.
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Visual Assessment for Rancho Santa Fe Road Bridge Replacement
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6.0 RECOMMENDED MITIGATION MEASURES
The following measures are recommended to reduce potential visual impacts associated with
proposed cut slopes to below a level of significance:
— Step grading techniques should be used in the constmction of the three cut slopes
proposed south of the replacement bridge to simulate existing terrain, as well as to
better accommodate hydroseeding and planting efforts.
— Grading techniques such as rounding the edges of the cut should be used to blend the
slopes in with existing terrain.
— To control erosion, exposed portions of proposed fill and cut areas should be planted
with a hydroseed mix^ containing native drought tolerant species. Permanent
irrigation would not be required for maintenance of the hydroseed mix.
Due to the high visibility of the proposed manufactured slopes, cut slope areas
adjacent to natural areas should be planted with native, drought tolerant shrubs and
trees. Planting should occur within three months after grading and should be
temporarily irrigated until plants become established.
Comply with the guideiines of the City of Carisbad Scenic Corridor Guidelines
ManuaL
It should be noted that the planting schedule and irrigation requirements discussed above are
standard requirernents of Caltrans for highway plantings. More detailed information on materials,
seed mix and irrigation can be found in the Caltrans Highway Planting Standards manual.
March 25, 1997 Pg. 18
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Visual Assessment for Rancho Santa Fe Road Bridge Replacement
7.0 REFERENCES
Literature
Carlsbad, City of. 1994. City of Carlshad General Plan.
te 1 Carlsbad, City of. 1991. Draft Environmental Impact Report for Rancho Santa Fe Road Realignment and
k ^ Mass Grading (SCH #90010850).
Individuals and Agencies Consulted
Ham, Tom. Caltrans District 11.- Landscape Architecture. March 3, 1997. Personal
Communication.
March 25, 1997 '*9'