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Home My WebLink About10 COMMENT LETTER TO IRWD (PETERS CANYON CHANNEL WATER CAPTURE & REUSE PIPELINE PROJECT)Agenda Item 10 AGENDA REPORT RCity Manager Finance Director I N/A MEETING DATE: FEBRUARY 3, 2015 TO: JEFFREY C. PARKER, CITY MANAGER FROM: COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT DEPARTMENT SUBJECT: TUSTIN RESPONSE TO MITIGATED NEGATIVE DECLARATION FOR PETERS CANYON CHANNEL WATER CAPTURE AND PIPELINE SUMMARY: Tustin City Council concurrence is requested for the City of Tustin's (the City) response to the Initial Study (IS) and Mitigated Negative Declaration (MND) for the proposed construction and operation of a water pipeline conveyance system and associated equipment that would collect and transport nuisance groundwater and surface water flows with high nitrate and selenium concentrations in the vicinity of the Peters Canyon Channel, south of Walnut Avenue. RECOMMENDATION: That the City Council direct staff to forward the attached response letter to the Irvine Ranch Water District. FISCAL IMPACT: There are no fiscal impacts associated with this action. CORRELATION TO THE STRATEGIC PLAN: Staff's review of the IS and MND for the Peters Canyon Channel Water Capture and Pipeline Project falls under Goal D of the Strategic Plan pertaining to strong community and regional relationships. The City strives to work collaboratively with agencies both within and outside Tustin on issues of mutual interest and concern. BACKGROUND: The proposed pipeline would extend from Walnut Avenue to Main Street in the City of Irvine and would pass through the City along the Peters Canyon Channel adjacent to residential neighborhoods in Tustin Legacy (Attachment A). City Council Agenda Report MND for Peters Canyon Channel Pipeline February 3, 2015 Page 2 The proposed pipeline would collect and transport nuisance groundwater and surface water flows with high nitrate and selenium concentrations to the Orange County Sanitation District Main Street sewer for treatment. Once the project is completed, the majority of the pipeline would be located below ground with the exception of pipeline segments suspended from existing bridges. In addition, aboveground equipment is proposed in areas adjacent to existing roads, including Edinger Avenue and Moffett Drive. Pursuant to the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA), the City is one of the responsible agencies for the project, because the City has discretionary authority in approving encroachment permits for work within the public right -of -way. The City is also providing funds for a portion of the project. City staff has reviewed the subject IS and MND, copies of which may be obtained upon request from the Community Development Department. Based on concerns related to aesthetics and noise, staff believes that it is in the City's interest to be on record regarding this matter and has prepared correspondence expressing the City's concerns regarding the IS and MND documents (Attachment B). Staff requests that the Tustin City Council review and consider these comments and, if acceptable, concur with their formal transmittal to the Irvine Ranch Water District. Scott Reekstin Principal Planner Attachments: A: Overview Maps B: Draft Comment Response Letter Elizabeth A. Binsack Community Development Director ATTACHMENT A OVERVIEW MAPS Lane Channel IRWD San Joaquin IRWD Michelson Water Upper Recycling Plant Newport r Bay Sd hf a9 �a Sy o�. a� Barranca Pc Channel by h� P/ Edinger Circular Drain If — r #. Peters Canyon - Reservoir � sf a►S 1 , .,. _ / Lower Peters r Canyon / Reservoir -! J p l i !. JJ 1 5 c 0 act 5 Rattlesnake M Qe� Canyon Channel FO6, o co 'Caltrans\ os GWTF L �o c'h ate^ dhh a� m, ,oaquiych S �� oCv Lower \ San Diego Creek Sand Canyon r Bonita Channel F - Channel I r f f aP I L - �r _ Central Irvine Channel Drainage IRWD San Joaquin Marsh - IRWD Michelson Water Recycling Plant Project Pipeline o Miles SOURCE: ESRI Peters Canyon Channel Water Capture and Reuse Pipeline . 130993 Figure 3 Drainage Overview mow--,- Drainage IRWD San Joaquin Marsh - IRWD Michelson Water Recycling Plant Project Pipeline o Miles SOURCE: ESRI Peters Canyon Channel Water Capture and Reuse Pipeline . 130993 Figure 3 Drainage Overview I261 pa _ qa G 2a' - �a' Caltrans Qua qa' GWTF Pa � E:Dyer-Rtl ya-? - Marine Corps Air Station - a b COnlO a�ufg0 �''a - DiurAS,ion 66 { Edinger Diversioyn.�y, Tustin Ranch Rd Valencia �F� D+ieibn - _ lac S i j �!- • P�, °o. �� Graaa ae- h3 0 0 Jo "O Barr an�y,pkWY 0 a No 01 4yy Spa AIIRWD /v ■ Jack and Bore Location Manhole • Diversion / Pump Staton Location T 0 Bridge Crossing 0 Street Crossing (Open Trench Construction) 0 2loo ? • IRWD Manhole — Project Pipeline SOURCE: ESRI Peters Canyon Channel Water Capture and Reuse Pipeline . 130993 Figure 2 Aerial Project Limits Map ATTACHMENT B DRAFT COMMENT RESPONSE LETTER February 4, 2015 Irvine Ranch Water District Attn: Jo Ann Corey Water Resources & Environmental Compliance 15600 Sand Canyon Avenue Irvine, CA 92618 SUBJECT: REVIEW OF MIND FOR PROPOSED PETERS CANYON CHANNEL WATER CAPTURE AND REUSE PIPELINE PROJECT Dear Ms. Corey: Thank you for the opportunity to provide comments on the Initial Study (IS) and Draft Mitigated Negative Declaration (MND) for the proposed construction and operation of a water pipeline conveyance system and associated equipment that would collect and transport nuisance groundwater and surface water flows with high nitrate and selenium concentrations in the vicinity of the Peters Canyon Channel, south of Walnut Avenue, to the Orange County Sanitation District Main Street sewer for treatment. The City of Tustin offers the following comments: 1. The IS /MND should identify the locations proposed for the storage of temporary equipment, including pipe, backfill material, construction equipment, etc. Temporary activities at these locations may have an impact on the environment. 2. The aboveground equipment proposed directly adjacent to the northerly sides of Edinger Avenue and Moffett Drive would be highly visible from public view. To achieve consistency with the City's Design Guidelines for Aboveground Utility Facilities on Public Properties and in the Public Right -of -Way, which apply to facilities in the City's right -of- way, it is requested that the proposed equipment be completely screened from public view within decorative walled enclosures with access gates. The materials and finishes of the enclosures should match or be compatible with the adjacent residential community walls. 3. It is incorrectly stated on page 3 -4 of the IS /MND that "the site for the electrical cabinet, antenna, transformer, and service panel would be shielded from view and separated by an existing 6 -foot masonry, wall." The equipment site would not be shielded from public view, but would be highly visible from the adjacent sidewalk and Ms. 10 Ann Corey Irvine Ranch Water District February 4, 2015 Page 2 road. The proposed masonry wall extensions (39 feet in length at Edinger Avenue and 8 feet in length at Moffett Drive) would partially shield the equipment from public view, but should be further extended to minimize the aesthetic impact of the proposed equipment. 4. The proposed project may result in temporary noise impacts that need to be accurately identified to establish appropriate and effective mitigation measures. Although there is an exemption in the Tustin City Code for noise generated by construction activities during specified hours, the project could result in a substantial temporary increase in ambient noise levels in the project vicinity above levels existing without the project. Therefore, the project proponent should conduct a noise study for the proposed project that analyzes the noise - sensitive construction locations in detail and identifies on a location- specific basis all additional feasible noise mitigation measures which may include the installation of temporary noise attenuation walls around the construction site and regular noise monitoring during construction. Proposed Mitigation Measures NOISE -1 through NOISE -7 are too general and are not location- specific. 5. Proposed Mitigation Measure NOISE -6 should be revised to require the IRWD or its contractors to notify existing residents located directly adjacent to the construction work area and their homeowners associations and property management companies of the proposed location and dates of construction a minimum of five (5) days prior to construction within the work area. 6. Extensive public outreach is requested so that Tustin residents are aware of the project and may plan accordingly. The City of Tustin strongly encourages the project proponent to solicit input on the project from the residents of neighborhoods adjacent to the proposed project, including the homeowners associations of Tustin Field I, Tustin Field II, and Columbus Grove. Input should be considered to ensure that any concerns are mitigated. The homeowners associations of these neighborhoods may be desirous of hosting informational meetings with project representatives. 7. It is indicated on pages 1 -1, 2 -1, and 2 -3 of the IS /MND that the Caltrans Ground Water Treatment Facility (GWTF) is located in the City of Tustin. It is actually located in the City of Irvine. 8. It is stated on page 2 -16 that construction will begin in the Spring of 2015. However, IRWD staff has indicated that construction is scheduled to begin in August of 2015. 9. The General Plan Designation for the City of Tustin should be indicated on page 3 -1 of the IS /MND as "MCAS Tustin Specific Plan." Ms. Jo Ann Corey Irvine Ranch Water District February 4, 2015 Page 3 Thank you again for the opportunity to provide comments on the Initial Study and Draft Mitigated Negative Declaration. The City of Tustin would appreciate receiving written responses to our comments when they become available and all future public notices regarding this project. If you have any questions regarding the City's comments, please call Scott Reekstin, Principal Planner, at (714) 573 -3016 or Ken Nishikawa, Assistant Director of Public Works, at (714) 573- 3389. Sincerely, Elizabeth A. Binsack Community Development Director cc: Jeffrey C. Parker Douglas S. Stack Ken Nishikawa Justina Willkom Scott Reekstin Alex Waite SR:environmental etc \IRWD Peters Canyon Pipeline MND Comment lettecdoc