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HomeMy WebLinkAbout13 CIP NO. 7118 11-01-99NO. 13 DATE: NOVEMBER 1, 1999 TO: WILLIAM A. HUSTON, CITY MANAGER FROM: PUBLIC WORKS DEPARTMENT/ENGINEERING DIVISION SUBJECT: ENVIRONMENTAL DETERMINATION, ACCEPTANCE OF THE PROJECT REPORT, ADOPTION OF THE MITIGATION MONITORING AND REPORTING PROGRAM AND AUTHORIZATION TO PROCEED TO FINAL ENGINEERING FOR THE IRVINE BOULEVARD AND NEWPORT A'VENUE INTERSECTION ENHANCEMENT PROJECT (CIP NO. 7118) SUMMARY The attached resolutions provide the necessary authorization for the Irvine Boulevard and Newport Avenue Intersection Enhancement Project. One resolution adopts the Mitigated Negative Declaration pursuant to California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) requirements and the other resolution accepts the final Project Report and authorizes staffto proceed with final engineering. RECOMMENDATION It is recommended that the City Council adopt Resolution No. 99-67 which approves the final Mitigated Negative Declaration for the Irvine Boulevard and Nexvport Avenue Intersection Enhancement Project pursuant to the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) and direct staff to file a Notice of Determination once the Project Report is approved via separate resolution. It is also recommended that the City Council adopt Resolution No. 99-68 approving the final· Project Report, adopting the Mitigation Monitoring and Reporting Program and authorizing Staff to proceed with final engineering for the Irvine Boulevard and Newport Avenue Intersection EnhancEment Project. FISCAL IMPACT' The project is being funded with a combination of Measure M Competitive Funds, Measure M Tumback Funds, and Proposition 111 Gas Tax Funds. Adequate funds have been budgeted in the FY 1999-2000 CIP budget for this project in the amount of $2.1 million. BACKGROUND The proposed project consists of improvements to the intersection of Irvine Boulevard and Newport Avenue from west of Holt Avenue to east of Elizabeth Way along Irvine Boulevard, and from Wass Street to First Street along Newport Avenue. (Refer to the attached location map, marked exhibit A.) Proposed improvements include widening for an additional through lane in each direction and additional fight and left turn lanes. To accommodate the widening, the existing curb will be moved back on both Sides of each street in the range from 8 to 10 feet near the intersection. The specific improvements are depicted on an attached map (color), marked Exhibit B and are described below: · Newport Avenue Improve~ments: Addition of one through lane in each direction through the Irvine Boulevard intersection, extended separate right turn lane for northbound traffic to eastbound Irvine Boulevard, dual left turn lanes (currently single left turn lanes) at southbound Newport Avenue to eastbound Old Irvine Boulevard, new raised median approaching the intersection in both directions, six new bus stop areas, landscape medians and parkway landscape where feasible, and associated striping and traffic signal modifications. In order to improve traffic flow and safety, the preliminary design includes a median that restricts the left turn access to Pointe Newport Apartments. In addition, a driveway access to the back of Ruby's Restaurant is proposed to be eliminated because of the proximity to the Irvine Boulevard and Newport Avenue intersection. · Irvine Boulevard Improvements: Addition of one through lane in each direction through the Newport Avenue intersection, separate new right turn lanes for eastbound and westbound traffic to Newport Avenue, dual left mm lanes (currently single left turn lanes) for eastbound and westbound traffic onto Newport Avenue, new sidewalk on the north side from Old Irvine Boulevard to Newport Avenue, new raised median approaching the intersection in both directions, landscape medians and parkway landscape where feasible, and associated striping and traffic signal modifications DISCUSSION I. The City Council is hereby reqUested to consider the proposed Mitigated Negative Declaration. The City Council is further requested to adopt the Mitigated Negative Declaration on the following basis' 1. The initial study found that there would not be a significant effect on the environment by the project because mitigation measures can be taken. . The environmental evaluation within the Mitigated Negative Declaration finds there would be no impact to biological resources from the project. o The required public posting period for the Mitigated Negative Declaration has been completed. There were three comments and the responses to these comments are included within the Mitigated Negative Declaration. 4. Mitigation Monitoring and Reporting Program has been prepared for documenting the project mitigation measures. It is recommended that the City Council approve and certify the Final Mitigated Negative Declaration as adequate and in compliance with the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA). A copy of the Mitigated Negative Declaration was provided to City Council and is available for public review at the Office of the City Clerk and at the Public Works Department. II. The City Council is hereby requested to consider the proposed Project RepOrt. The City Council is further requested to approve the on the following basis: Six project alternatives were studied during the project development process. The project alternatives considered various impacts to right-of-way and the traffic improvement to the intersection. Preliminary layout plans were prepared which detailed the improvement features. Brief overviews of the alternatives are described below: Alternative 1- Widen Irvine Boulevard and Newport Avenue about the centerlines to full width lanes, bike lanes, shoulders and sidewalks. This alternative has the most impact to right-of-way. Alternative 2- Widen Irvine Boulevard to the south side and Newport Avenue to the west side using full width lanes, bike lanes, shoulders and sidewalks. Alternative 3- Widen Irvine l vard to the north side Newport Av, .o the west side using full width lanes, bike lanes, shoulders and sidewalks. Alternative 4- Similar to alternative 1, except the centerline of Irvine Boulevard is shifted south to allow for added right tum lanes. Alternative 5- Widen Irvine Boulevard and Newport Avenue about the centerlines using less than full width lanes, reduced bike lanes, reduced shoulders, and reduced sidewalks. By taking these reductions, the right-of-way needs were cut in half. Alternative 6- Similar to alternative 5 with the reduced widths described above, and in addition, single leg turn lanes for each direction along Newport Avenue instead of double left turn lanes in the other alternatives. This further reduces impact to right-of-way. The recommended alternative selected was Alternative 6. This selection was based on being the most cost effective means of increasing traffic capacity and at the intersection while minimizing the need for additional right of way. . Traffic studies were completed to demonstrate that the intersection capacity and function would significantly improve from construction of the proposed project improvements. 3. The report identified utilities and storm drains which would be impacted by the project. . The report examined all of the affected property and estimated the property acquisition needed for the project. The report estimated the proposed project would need right-of-way from 17 properties. A public scoping meeting was held at which adequate response to public comments was given. Subsequent meetings were held with some of the affected business owners. As a follow-up in July 1999, over 100 letters were sent to all surrounding property owners and affected agencies notifying them of the current status of the proposed project. As a result, staff has responded to specific questions from many property owners and incorporated such comments as information into the project design. 5. A Mitigated Negative Declaration has been prepared pursuant to the Califomia Environmental Quality Act (CEQA). o The Mitigated Negative Declaration includes a Mitigation Monitoring and Reporting Program as section 5 of the document. This program describes the implementation of the required mitigation measures. Specific responsibilities and reporting requirements are listed for each mitigation measure. The current CIP schedule for this project targets final design phase completion in FY 1999/2000 with acquisition and construction phases being completed in FY 2000/2001. It is recommended that the City Council approve the Project Report and direct staffto proceed with final engineering. A copy of the Project Report was provided to City Council and is available for public review at the Office of the City Clerk and at the Public Works Department. Tim D. Serlet Director of Public Works/City Engineer TDS:RS:Council:Envir Accept of Proj Rept Irvine-Newport-Reso 99-67-68.doc Engineering Service Manager Attachments: Exhibit A, Project Location Map Exhibit B, Preliminary Desi~ma Concept ~2 25 25 RESOLUTION NO. 99-67 A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF TUSTIN, CALIFORNIA ADOPTING A FINAL MITIGATED NEGATIYE DECLARATION FOR IR¥INE BOULEVARD AND NEWPORT AVENUE INTERSECTION ENHANCEMENT PROJECT (CIP NO. 7118) WHEREAS, the City Council of the City of Tustin does hereby resolve as follows: I. That the City Council finds and determines that: A. A public scoping meeting on the proposed project was held and public comments were received and considered in defining the proposed project. B. Based on the initial study there is no substantial evidence that the project will have a significant effect on the environment after specific mitigation measures are taken. C. A proposed Mitigated Negative Declaration was prepared for this project, public notice has been given and the time for public comment has closed. D. Mitigation Monitoring and Reporting Program has been prepared for documenting the implementation of the project mitigation measures. NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED by the City Council of the City of Tustin as follows: 1. That a Final Mitigated Negative Declaration has been completed in compliance with CEQA and the State guidelines. The City Council has received and considered the information contained in the proposed Mitigated Negative Declaration, including any public comments received and responses thereto, and finds that the Mitigated Negative Declaration adequately addresses the environmental effects of the proposed project. 2. The Project involves no potential for an adverse effect, either individually or cumulatively, on wildlife resources. Therefore, the City Council makes a De Minimus Finding related to Fish and Game Code Section 711.4 · 3. That subject to City Council acceptance of the Project Report for Irvine Boulevard and Newport Avenue Intersection Enhancement Project, staff is directed to prepare and file a Notice of Determination for the project. 4. A Mitigation Monitoring and Reporting Program shall be considered and adopted by the City Council if it accepts the Project Report. PASSED AND ADOPTED at a regular meeting of the City Council of the City of Tustin held on the 1 st day of November 1999. ' ATTEST: Tracy Wills Worley, Mayor City Clerk ~5 .i6 2i , -, 25 I ! ,, RESOLUTION NO. 99-68 A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF TUSTIN, CALIFORNIA FOR ACCEPTANCE OF THE PROJECT REPORT, ADOPTION OF THE MITIGATION MONITORING AND REPORTING PROGRAM AND AUTHORIZATION TO PROCEED TO FINAL ENGINEERING FOR THE IRVINE BOULEVARD AND NEWPORT AVENUE INTERSECTION ENHANCEMENT PROJECT (CIP NO. 7118) WHEREAS, the City Council of the City of Tustin does hereby resolve as follows: I. That the City Council finds and determines that: Six project alternatives were studied during the project development process. Alternative 6 was selected as the most effective at solving traffic and safety issues at the intersection. · Traffic studies were completed which reflected the intersection capacity and function would benefit from the project. · The report identified utilities and storm drains which would be impacted by the project. · A Mitigated Negative Declaration has been prepared pursuant to the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA). As a part of the environmental document. mitigation Monitoring and Reporting Program has been prepared. NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED by the City Council of the City of Tustin as follows: 1. That a Project Report has been completed and the report has determined that there are significant traffic and safety benefits to constructing the proposed intersection enhancement project. The City Council has received and considered the information contained in the proposed Project Report. · 2. That Project staff is directed to proceed into final engineering for the project. 3. The Mitigation Monitoring and Reporting Program for the Project is hereby adopted. PASSED AND ADOPTED at a regular meeting of the City Council of the City of Tustin held on the 1 st day of November 1999. ATTEST: Tracy Wills Worley, Mayor City Clerk Z Z I "i- X 7 -r' 7 IJJ -- t "r X tt~ -.