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Home My WebLink AboutItem G January 25, 1999 STAFF REPORT To: Mayor and Members of the City Council Attention: Keith R. Till, City Manager From: Lee Whittenberg, Director of Development Services Subject: RECEIVE AND FILE RESPONSE TO CITY COMMENT LEITER ON "MITIGATED NEGATIVE DECLARATION - BOLSA CHICA CHANNEL IMPROVEMENTS", COUNTY OF ORANGE SUMMARY OF REQUEST Receive and File Staff Report and instruct staff to forward to the Planning Commission and the Environmental Qunlity Control Board for information purposes. DISCUSSION The City has received a copy of the "Notice of Intent to Adopt a Mitigated Negative Declaration - BoLsa Chica Channel (CO2)Improvements", from the County of Orange. This document evaluated the environmental impacts of proposed improvements to Bolsa Chica Channel, involving the replacement of an existing rip-rap lined storm drainage channel with a concrete rectangular channel and asphalt maintenance roads from Belgrave Avenue to the 1-405/22 interchange, in the Cities of Seal Beach, Los Alamitos and Garden Grove. On September 28, 1998 the City Council authorized the Mayor to sign a comment letter, expressing several concerns relating to the proposed Project The County of Orange has provided responses to the comments of the City, and those are provided as Attachment 1, with the comment letter provided as Attachment 2. RECOMMENDATION Receive and File Staff Report and instruct staff to forward to the Planning Commission and the Environmental Quality Control Board for information purposes. Agenda Item G C:VAy DncumtN\CEQAatalr Chiu Chanel Nes Dec,CC SR2AocLLMM1-15-99 Mitigated Negative Declaration -It(Mica Channel Improvements Receipt of Response,to Cononem Letter from ('y of Seal Beach City Counal Ste Report January 25, 1999 NOTED AND APPROVED (yk&Whittenberg, Director Keith R. Till Development Services Department City Manager Attachments: (2) Attachment 1: Responses to City of Seal Beach Comment Letter re: "Notice of Intent to Adopt a Mitigated Negative Declaration - Bolsa Chica Channel (CO2) Improvements", dated December 2, 1998 Attachment 2: City of Seal Beach Comment Letter re: "Notice of Intent to Adopt a Mitigated Negative Declaration - Bolsa Chica flannel (CO2) Improvements", dated September 29, 1998 Bd.China Channel Nig Dee,CC SRI 2 Mitigated Negative Declaration -Bolsa Cu'ca Channel Improvements Receipt of Responses to Comment Letter from Cry of Seal Beach City Council Staff Report January 25, 1999 ATTACHMENT 1 Responses to City of Seal Beach Comment Letter re: "Notice of Intent to Adopt a Mitigated Negative Declaration — Bolsa Chica Channel (CO2) Improvements", dated December 2, 1998 Bold Chiu Channel Neg Dec,CC SR2 3 THOMAS B. MATHEWS Counof Orange °°DIRECTORty U=s, ` g 300 N. FLOWER ST. \%�# Planning & Development Services Department SANTA ANA,'CALffo FLOOR ��IFOR� MAILING ADDRESS. PO. Box 4048 SANTA ANA, CA 9t7024043 Ta.EniONE: (714) 834-4643 FAX M 8341771 DEC 2 egg George E. Brown Mayor, City of Seal Beach 211 Eighth Street Seal Beach, CA 90740 Subject: Bolsa Chica Channel Improvements Dear Mr. Brown: Environmental and Project Planning Services Division (EPPSD)staff has reviewed subject letter and offers the following responses: Comment: The City requests further evaluation of the water table and the preparation of a de- watering plan, If the water table Is determined to be a significant concern. The City would also request the ability to review and provide comments on the de-watering plan. Response: Research has been completed to determine the level of groundwater and existing soil conditions and is being finalized into a formal Materials Report. As part of the Plans and Special Provisions for this project along with the need to comply with Section 401 of the Clean Water Act,the Contractor will be required to submit a dewatering plan for review and approval of County of Orange's Public Facilities&Resources Department(PFRD). Although we do not see the need for this dual review process,we will honor the City's request. Comment: The response(4b)does not address the exposure of people or property to water related hazards such as flooding during the term of the project construction,which will include the winter storm season of 1999-2000. The City of Seal Beach requests the preparation of an Interim Stormwater Protection Plan. Response: It is the County's practice to place in the Plans and Special Provisions, language that will identify the Contractor as the responsible party for insuring that construction of the project will not put local residents in danger. The Contractor is required to carry adequate liability insurance. Comment: Included as pad of this plan should be any detour plans to accommodate construction activities with special attention to vehicle drivers, pedestrians and bicyclists, and parking plan for construction worker vehicles. Response: Please see Mitigation 5.1 on page 5 of Negative Declaration IP 98-097 which addresses detour and parking issues. Comment: There lea City owned 12"water line located In the channel at the 1105122 freeway. Particular attention needs to be given to the protection of the Integrity of that line during the channel Improvement project. Response: Since the Orange County Flood Control Act requires local agency approval prior to awarding of a construction contract, each City impacted by the project will receive a complete set of Plans and Special Provisions. The Plans and Special Provisions,which are presently being prepared, will identify this permitted water line as a facility that needs to be protected in place. Should you have any questions or desire additional information please feel free to call me or contact Lisa Cibellis directly at(714)834-2089. Very truly yours, tMa:ger Environmental and Project Planning Division Mitigated Negative Declaration-Bolsa Qdca Channel Improvements Receipt of Responses to Comment Letter from Qty of Seal Beach Q'ry Q,unctl Staff Report January 25, 1999 ATTACHMENT 2 City of Seal Beach Comment Letter re: "Notice of Intent to Adopt a Mitigated Negative Declaration - Bolsa Chica Channel (CO2) Improvements", dated September 29, 1998 Ma Chiu Channel Neg Dec,CC SRI 4 Mitigated Negative Declaration-Boise Chica Channel Improvements Receipt of Responses to Comment Letter from City of Seal Beach City Council Staff Report January 25, 1999 September 29, 1998 George Britton, Manager Environmental &Project Planning Services Division Planning and Development Services Department P. O. Box 4048 Santa Ana, CA 92702-4048 Dear Mr. Britton: SUBJECT: City of Seal Beach Comments re: "Notice of Intent to Adopt a Mitigated Negative Declaration — Bolsa Chica Channel (CO2) Improvements" The City Council of the City of Seal Beach has reviewed the above referenced Draft Mitigated Negative Declaration regarding proposed improvements to the Bolsa Chica Channel. The City of Seal Beach strongly supports the proposed improvements to this channel. The safety of the residents adjoining the Bolsa Chica Channel will be greatly increased by the successful completion of the project, alleviating a flooding problem from this portion of Orange County, and our community in particular. In reviewing the subject document, the City concurs with the proposed mitigation measures relating to Water, Transportation/Circulation, Air Quality, Noise, Biological Resources and Aesthetic impacts identified in the Mitigated Negative Declaration. The proposed mitigation measures are felt to be adequate to reduce potential impacts to the adjoining residential areas to a level as insignificant as possible for these identified areas. The City of Seal Beach does have a concern regarding the response to Item 3e of the Initial Study. The response does not address the issue of impact of a high water table on the proposed project. During excavation work, a high water table may be encountered, resulting in significant unstable soil condition. The City requests further evaluation of the water table and the preparation of a de-watering plan, if the water table is determined to be a significant concern. The City would also request the ability to review and provide comments on the de- watering plan. Bolas Chiu Channel Neg Dec,CC SRr 5 • Mitigated Negative Declaration-Bolsa Odca Channel Improvements Receipt of Responses to Comment Lean from Ory of Seal Beach a'ry Cowedl Staff Report January 25, 1999 The City of Seal Beach does have a concern regarding the response to Item 4b of the Initial Study. The response does not address the exposure of people or property to water related hazards such as flooding during the term of the project construction, which will include the winter storm season of 1999-2000. The City of Seal Beach requests the preparation of an "Interim Stormwater Protection Plan" to address the safety of property and structures during the winter storm season. This issue is vitally important to the residents of Seal Beach, which adjoin the Bolsa Chica Channel, as they have experienced flooding during the winters of 1995, 1993 and 1992. The City of Seal Beach also has concerns regarding the response to Items 5a and 5e of the Initial Study. The response does address the ability of the City to approve a haul route access plan prior to the initiation of construction activities. Included as a part of this plan should be any detour plans to accommodate construction activities with special attention to vehicle drivers, pedestrians and bicyclists, and a parking plan for construction worker vehicles. These plans will be required to be reviewed and approved by the City of Seal Beach Public Works Department prior to initiation of construction activities. In addition, there is a City-owned 12" water line located in the channel at the 1405/22 Freeway. Particular attention needs to be given to the protection of the integrity of that line during the channel improvement project. The City requests the ability to review project construction plans prior to initiation of construction activities in the immediate area of the water line to ensure adequate protection of this water line. The City of Seal Beach appreciates the inclusion of our community in reviewing the "haul mute arnss plan", and the hours of construction activity restrictions set forth. These measures will help ensure the project is not unduly intrusive to our residents. Thank you for your consideration of the comments of the City of Seal Beach. Please do not hesitate to contact Mr. Lee Whittenberg, Director of Development Services at (562) 431-2527, extension 313, if you have any questions regarding this matter Sincerely, �Sf George E. Brown, Mayor City of Seal Beach Rola Mia Channel Nes Dec,CC 5R2 Mitigated Negative Declaration -Bolsa Chica Channel Improvements Receipt of Responses to Comment Letter from Cty of Seal Beach City Council Staff Report January 25, 1999 Distribution: Seal Beach City Council Seal Beach Planning Commission Seal Beach Environmental Quality Control Board Seal Beach Archaeological Advisory Committee City Manager City Engineer Director of Development Services Ba.Chic.Channel Ncg Dec,CC sax 7