HomeMy WebLinkAboutRPT 4 COMM RAIL RPT 03-18-91)ATE:
TO:
FROM:
SUBJECT:
MARCH 18, 1991
WILLIAM A. HUSTON, CITY MANAGER
STATUS REPORT ON COMMUTER RAIL STUDY
RECOMMENDATION
Receive and file.
BACKGROUND AND DISCUSSION
REPORTS NO. 4
3-18-91
Inter - Com
The purpose of this report is to indicate the present status of the
Commuter Rail Study and to advise the Council of the Orange County
Transportation Commission's (OCTC) response to concerns previously
identified by the City Council. Last fall the City Council
reviewed the draft OCTC Commuter Rail Study and Action Plan. The
purpose of this study was to identify the potential for
establishing a comprehensive commuter rail service from Oceanside
to Los Angeles. Establishing a commuter rail service in the LOSSAN
corridor (which parallels the I-5 Freeway) is a major goal of the
OCTC 20 year master plan. At that time, staff identified a number
of concerns regarding potential environmental impacts, land use
restrictions, station locations and the potential change of•a City
boundary. Those concerns were transmitted to OCTC to be used in
preparing the final report.
In December 1990, the OCTC adopted the Commuter Rail Study and
Action Plan and -sent a copy to the City of Tustin. The Study now
indicates that one of the four alternate sites for a new station in
the Southeast Tustin area (site A on Exhibit A attached) is no
longer available since Bedford Properties has submitted development
plans for light industrial uses on this site. The Study also
indicates that site B is presently within the City of Tustin and
will be transferred to the City of Irvine as part of a boundary
reorganization currently being discussed by the two cities. The
OCTC advised us that the environmental review will be completed
during the upcoming implementation phase of the planning process.
This phase will include final station site selection and
development. A consultant is being -hired to assist the OCTC with
the implementation phase.
The additional track, increased number of trains and a station stop
at Edinger and Jamboree could have a negative affect on adjacent
residential areas and could impact the City's circulation system.
The specific details of implementing this project will need to be
evaluated to ensure that these impacts are minimized. Although the
City Council Report
Status Report on Commuter Rail Study
March 18, 1991
Page 2
addition of a double track within the existing right-of-way and the
increase of commuter train frequency are specifically exempt from
CEQA, the construction of a new station is environmental review and
documentation. In order to implement the Commuter Rail Action
Plan, further analysis of the station location and associated
environmental impacts will need to completed. The Notice of
Preparation has not been circulated for these projects. It is
anticipated that environmental review will take place within the
next 18 months. During this process, the City of Tustin's concerns
previously identified by the City Council regarding the project's
impact to our residential neighborhoods will need to be addressed.
We will monitor this project closely to review all environmental
documentation in order to ensure that mitigation measures are
included to minimize potential impacts.
Although there is no specific construction schedule prepared at
this time, the Implementation Program is planned to extend through
September 1993 and some of the ridership models were based upon
projected populations in the year 1995. It appears that 1995 is a
target year for adding some of the trains and to establish new
station stops.
Staff will continue to attend all planning meetings for the
Commuter Rail Project in order to monitor the progress and to
ensure that the concerns of the City of Tustin are addressed.
Sara J. Pashalides
Associate Planner
SP:kd\comutrrl.ccr
Christine A. Shin eton
Assistant City Manager
Community Development Department
North " ine/Tustin Station Lo `ions
EXHIBIT A