HomeMy WebLinkAbout10 RESP TO NOP FOR SCAG 2008 RTP/RCP EIR 07-17-07Agenda Item 10
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_~`~ • ~~~ ~~ Reviewed:
-~ AGENDA O
City Manager _~~
Finance Director N/A
MEETING DATE: JULY 17, 2007
TO: WILLIAM A. HUSTON, CITY MANAGER
FROM: COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT DEPARTMENT
SUBJECT: CITY OF TUSTIN RESPONSE TO NOP FOR SCAG 2008 RTP/RCP EIR
SUMMARY
City Council authorization is requested for the City of Tustin's response to the subject
Notice of Preparation of a Program Environmental Impact Report for the Southern
California Association of Governments (SCAG) 2008 Regional Transportation Plan (RTP)
and Regional Comprehensive Plan (RCP) (Attachment A).
RECOMMENDATION:
That the City Council authorize staff to forward the attached response letter to the
Southern California Association of Governments.
FISCAL IMPACT:
There are no fiscal impacts associated with this action.
BACKGROUND AND DISCUSSION:
According to federal law, SCAG is required every four years to create a RTP that
prioritizes proposed transportation projects. The RTP is a prerequisite for obtaining and
allocating federal funding for regional transportation projects. These projects are
implemented by agencies other than SCAG.
The RCP is a voluntary companion document to the mandated RTP that contains policies
and actions that promote a coordinated strategy for growth, development, and
environmental protection. SCAG member agencies are encouraged to adopt these
policies by incorporating them into their General Plan updates and through individual
development approvals.
The Community Development and Public Works Departments have reviewed the
subject Notice of Preparation. 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 Notice of Preparation document (see Attachment A). Staff
City Council Report
NOP for SCAG 2008 RTP/RCP EIR
July 17, 2007
Page 2
requests that the Tustin City Council review and consider these comments and, if
acceptable, authorize their formal transmission to the Southern California Association of
Governments.
.-dG~~
Scott Reekstin
Senior Planner
Elizabeth A. Binsack
Community Development Director
Attachment: A. Draft Comment Response Letter
S:\Cdd\CCReports\NOP SCAG 2008 RTP and RCP.doc
ATTACHMENT A
Draft Comment Response Letter
July 18, 2007
Jessica Kirchner
Associate Environmental Planner
Southern California Association of Governments
818 West Seventh Street, 12t" Floor
Los Angeles, CA 90017-3435
SUBJECT: REVIEW OF NOTICE OF PREPARATION OF A DRAFT PROGRAM EIR
FOR THE 2008 SCAG RTP AND RCP
Dear Ms. Kirchner:
Thank you for the opportunity to provide comments on the Notice of Preparation (NOP) for
the Draft Program Environmental Impact Report (DPEIR) for the 2008 Southern California
Association of Governments Regional Transportation Plan (RTP) and Regional
Comprehensive Plan (RCP).
The City of Tustin has prepared the following general comments on the NOP for your
consideration at this time.
1. In Orange County there is an on-going Central County Corridor Major Investment
Study (CCC MIS) which includes the extension of SR-57 to the south to improve
north-south capacity in the County. The City of Tustin remains concerned with
alternatives that eliminate the SR-57 extension and focus further improvements
to SR-55, generating impacts to the City of Tustin, including traffic impacts at
interchanges, construction detours, etc.
2. The recently completed Riverside County /Orange County MIS (RC/OC MIS)
studies various corridors for increasing capacity between the two counties.
Some alternatives consider end connections near the City of Tustin. The City of
Tustin must be assured that sufficient funding will be available to address local
arterial impacts that may result from improvements under the RC/OC MIS.
3. The South Orange County Major Investment Study (SOC MIS) is presently being
administered by the Orange County Transportation Authority (OCTA).
Enhancements to the regional transportation system recommended in this study
should be included in the SCAG RTP/RCP.
4. An improvement included .within the OCTA DPEIR for its Long Range
Transportation Plan (LRTP) is to synchronize traffic signals across jurisdictions.
As part of these improvements, funding should be included for training and staff
Ms. Jessica Kirchner
SCAG 2008 RTP/RCP NOP
July 18, 2007
Page 2
to operate the proposed systems. Providing only the traffic signal coordination
equipment is not sufficient to achieve and maintain the daily operations.
5. The extension of Newport Avenue southerly to Edinger Avenue, including the
grade separation at the railroad crossing, should be included as a specific Master
Plan of Arterial Highways (MPAH) project within the SCAG RTP. This is a
project of regional significance.
6. The following RTIP projects should be included in the SCAG RTP:
a. Modify Northbound SR 55 Ramps to connect to Newport Avenue
Extension between Edinger Avenue and Valencia Avenue;
b. Tustin Ranch Road Extension from Walnut Avenue to Edinger Avenue,
with new grade separation at Edinger Avenue; and
c. Red Hill Avenue Grade Separation@ Edinger Avenue/railroad tracks
Again, thank you for the opportunity to review and comment on the NOP for the 2008
Regional Transportation Plan and Regional Comprehensive Plan. The City of Tustin looks
forward to receiving a copy of the Draft PEIR when it becomes available. If you have any
questions regarding the City's comments, please call Scott Reekstin, Senior Planner, at
(714) 573-3016 or Terry Lutz, Principal Engineer, at (714) 573-3263.
Sincerely,
Elizabeth A. Binsack
Community Development Director
cc: William A. Huston
Tim D. Serlet
SR:environmental etc\SCAG 2008 RTP and RCP NOP Letter.doc