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HomeMy WebLinkAboutCC AG PKT 2005-04-25 #N 6 AGENDA REPORT DATE: April 25, 2005 TO: Honorable Mayor and City Council THRU: John B. Bahorski, City Manager FROM: Mark K. Vukojevic, P.E., Director of Public Works /City Engineer SUBJECT: AUTHORIZATION FOR MAYOR TO SIGN LETTER IN RESPONSE TO THE I -405 MAJOR INVESTMENT STUDY • SUMMARY OF REQUEST: • The proposed City Council action will authorize the Mayor to sign the attached letter to the Orange County Transportation Authority (OCTA) in response to the I -405 Major Investment Study (MIS). BACKGROUND: In 2003, Orange County Transportation Authority (OCTA) began a Major Investment Study (MIS) for the Interstate 405 from Interstate 605 to State Route 73. The study is a comprehensive transportation planning process that is designed to identify and address the mobility needs of the corridor. A specialized consultant prepared the draft reports in conjunction with OCTA staff, and the local agency Policy Makers, City Managers and City Engineers. Originally, thirteen alternatives were developed and narrowed down to three in November of 2004, which included a minimal widening, moderate widening and a large widening alternative. Community workshops were held and three alternatives were presented to members of the public. However, at a recent meeting on March 24, 2005, the Policy Makers approved adding back in a fourth alternative for a raised viaduct freeway, despite Seal Beach's opposition at the meeting. This is of concern because of the detrimental impacts to the community associated with an elevated freeway and because this alternative was never presented to the local residents. The attached letter formally presents the position of the City to OCTA. • The raised viaduct freeway alternative is not acceptable to the City; • The freeway must be designed so that there are no property -take impacts on any residential, park, or open space properties: • Begin property negotiations with the Department of the Navy for right -of -way needed for widening of the freeway at the Seal Beach Naval Weapons Station. Agenda Item FISCAL IMPACT: There is no General Fund fiscal impact associated with this action. RECOMMENDATION: It is recommended that City Council authorize the Mayor to sign the attached letter to the Orange County Transportation Authority (OCTA) in response to the I -405 Major Investment Study (MIS). Prepared By: Mark K. Vukojevic, P.E. Director of Public Works /City Engineer NOTE 1 AP' ROVED: S 'i9 , . 1L.. Jo " B. Bahorski, C;/ Manager Attachment: Letter to OCTA dated April 25, 2005 regarding the 405 MIS Agenda Item y1 S . 1 --- - t " �'f ` ;, � ���RPORAT F . 16 06,, 4T `I ,CP L1TY HALL :211 EIGHTH STREI3T. = SEAL BEACH, 0AL[FORNIA.9,074(1 .;�� (562)43] ��27.�� +tiww.ci sc31 beach ca u. G.c. g :Wr7'. y 04::' ,J_ ”..- s I {; T •, 111: ";"•' 'Z' F= �9�R 4 j:r � :41,47 11 .k ` 3fr ' `F 3s � " ' c M ' , -.t r r .z ` �t x�4t " 3-- k", :; 2----- ,_ ` '" _{ ,4 -. April 25, 2005 Orange County Transportation Authority Attn: Arthur Leahy, Chief Executive Officer PO Box 14184 550 S. Main Street Orange, CA, 92863 -1584 SUBJECT: CITY OF SEAL BEACH POSITION ON THE INTERSTATE 405 MAJOR INVESTMENT STUDY Dear Mr. Leahy: The City of Seal Beach has reviewed the documents associated with the I-405 MIS. At a recent meeting on March 24, 2005, an additional above ground alternative was added to the study to the City's dismay. The impacts with such an alternative are detrimental to the community. In addition, this alternative has never been presented to the community for consideration. The City takes this opportunity to again go on record as being extremely concerned and therefore opposed to any raised viaduct alternative and any right of way acquisition that would impact the College Park East neighborhood and Leisure World. These neighborhoods are located immediately adjacent to the I-405 Freeway right of way and any further impacts and encroachment into these residential neighborhoods would be extremely detrimental to the neighborhoods and the City of Seal Beach. In addition, the City is again requesting that OCTA begin negotiations with the Department of Navy for any necessary right of way within the Seal Beach Naval Weapons Station. Please incorporate the City's position on these matters by removing the viaduct alternative in the MIS, maintaining no residential and open space right -of way impacts to the City and beginning property negotiations with the Department of Navy. Thank you for your consideration and please contact John Bahorski, City Manager at (562) 431 -2527 ext. 300 or Mark Vukojevic, Director of Public Works /City Engineer at (562) 431 -2527 ext. 318 if you have any questions. Sincerely, Dr. P 1 Yost Mayor cc: City Council, City Manager, City Engineer, Development Services Director