CC 2014-05-27_08.f. MND Leanna Drive Waterline ProjectMEMORANDUM
TO: CITY COUNCIL ~
FROM: TERESA MCCLISH, COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT DIRECTOR
BY: ~;jf:KELLY HEFFERNON, ASSOCIATE PLANNER
SUBJECT: CONSIDERATION OF CAPITAL IMPROVEMENT PROJECT 14-001;
APPROVAL OF A MITIGATED NEGATIVE DECLARATION FOR THE
LEANNA DRIVE CREEK CROSSING WATERLINE PROJECT;
LOCATION -LEANNA DRIVE AND ARROYO GRANDE CREEK
DATE: MAY 27,2014
RECOMMENDATION:
It is recommended that the City Council adopt a Resolution adopting a Mitigated
Negative Declaration, instructing the City Clerk to file a Notice of Determination (NOD),
and approving design improvements for the Leanna Drive Creek Crossing Waterline
Project.
IMPACT ON FINANCIAL AND PERSONNEL RESOURCES:
The Capital Improvement Program budget and contract administration will be
considered as a separate resolution at City Council after the bid process.
BACKGROUND:
On October 8, 2013, the City Council approved a consultant services agreement with
Cannon Corporation (the "Consultant") in the amount of $83,508 for the design and
construction support services for the Leanna Drive Creek Crossing Waterline Project
(the "Project"). As part of the agreement, the Consultant prepared an Initial
Study/Mitigated Negative Declaration (IS/MND) for Project implementation. As the lead
agency, the City is responsible for conducting the environmental review and determining
the adequacy of the IS/MND with analyzing the potential environmental consequences
of the Project.
This Project was identified in the 2012 Water System Master Plan as the highest priority
project. The existing 8" cast iron pipe encased in concrete was installed in 1960 under
the Arroyo Grande Creek bed. The water main encasement is now exposed to creek
flow and is subject to cracking and failure. A sewer force main was also installed next
to the water main and the encasement has broken and failed. The force main was
abandoned in place in 1970. The water line is one of two connections to customers in
the Valley Gardens housing tract.. The line is important for system redundancy and
reliability.
Item 8.f. - Page 1
CITY COUNCIL
CONSIDERATION OF CAPITAL IMPROVEMENT PROJECT 14-001; APPROVAL OF A MITIGATED
NEGATIVE DECLARATION FOR THE LEANNA DRIVE CREEK CROSSING WATERLINE PROJECT;
LOCATION – LEANNA DRIVE AND ARROYO GRANDE CREEK
MAY 27, 2014
PAGE 2
PROJECT LOCATION:
ANALYSIS OF ISSUES:
The Project site is located in an unincorporated agricultural area between two urbanized
portions of the City. The abandonment of the existing 8” water main and concrete
encasement and replacement with a new HDPE main, which will be installed using
horizontal directional drilling (HDD) under the creek, is the action the City intends to
take to remedy the situation. Abandonment in place will eliminate the need for
construction work in the creek channel and significantly reduce potential environmental
impacts, permitting requirements and mitigation efforts.
The IS/MND identifies biological resources, hazards and hazardous materials, and
noise as environmental factors that would be potentially affected by the Project. These
issues are discussed below.
Item 8.f. - Page 2
CITY COUNCIL
CONSIDERATION OF CAPITAL IMPROVEMENT PROJECT 14-001; APPROVAL OF A MITIGATED
NEGATIVE DECLARATION FOR THE LEANNA DRIVE CREEK CROSSING WATERLINE PROJECT;
LOCATION-LEANNA DRIVE AND ARROYO GRANDE CREEK
MAY 27,2014
PAGE3
Biological Resources
The Project is located at Arroyo Grande Creek near Leanna Drive between Valley Road
and South Halcyon. In March 2014, Rincon Consultants, Inc. completed a Biological
Resources Assessment (BRA) for the Project, including a field survey of the Project site
conducted on January 29, 2014. The Biological Study Area (BSA) for the assessment
begins approximately 480 feet from South Halcyon Road along the entrance for the
Ken-Mar Gardens Mobile Home Park and extends east approximately 1, 7 40 feet
through Arroyo Grande Creek and along the maintained dirt access road parallel to
Leanna Drive. The BSA also includes a perpendicular reach beginning approximately
530 feet from the western boundary of the BSA and extending approximately 80 feet
north between Ken-Mar Gardens Mobile Home Park to the west and Arroyo Grande
Creek to the east.
Three vegetation communities were identified within the BSA, during the field survey
including: ruderal, developed, and mixed riparian.
Ruderal habitat is found along the maintained dirt access road east of Arroyo Grande
Creek and parallel to Leanna Drive. There is also a section of ruderal habitat parallel to
Arroyo Grande Creek just outside the western bank and riparian corridor. This
vegetation community is the most abundant, covering approximately 0.19 acre or 43%
of the study area.
Developed areas consist of a paved drive to Ken-Mar Mobil Home Park west of Arroyo
Grande creek. This is the second most dominant community, covering approximately
0.17 acre or 39% of the study area.
Mixed riparian habitat occurs along the segment of the BSA which traverses Arroyo
Grande Creek. Mixed riparian habitat is the least abundant habitat in the BSA covering
approximately 0.08 acre or 18% of the study area.
The Project site contains suitable habitat for nine (9) regional species of concern,
including six (6) special status plant species and three (3) special status wildlife species.
These species have all been previously documented by the California Natural Diversity
Database (CNDDB), which is a program that inventories the status and locations of rare
plants and animals in California, within a three-mile radius of the site. The mixed
riparian habitat also has the potential to support nesting birds protected by the Federal
Migratory Bird Treaty Act (MBTA) and California Fish and Game Code (CFGC). The
regional species of concern with potential to occur onsite include:
• Hoover's bent grass (Agrostis hooven)
• Straight-awned spineflower (Chorizanthe rectispina)
• La Graciosa thistle ( Cirsium scariosum var. loncholepis)
• Pismo clarkia (Clarkia speciosa ssp. immaculate)
• San Bernardino aster (Symphyotrichum defoliatum)
Item 8.f. - Page 3
CITY COUNCIL
CONSIDERATION OF CAPITAL IMPROVEMENT PROJECT 14-001; APPROVAL OF A MITIGATED
NEGATIVE DECLARATION FOR THE LEANNA DRIVE CREEK CROSSING WATERLINE PROJECT;
LOCATION -LEANNA DRIVE AND ARROYO GRANDE CREEK
MAY 27,2014
PAGE4
• Gambel's watercress (Nasturtium gambelil)
• Pacific pond turtle (Actinemys marmorata)
• Steelhead Trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss irideus)
• California red-legged frog (Rana draytonil)
In addition to regional species of concern, sensitive habitat types are also considered
biological resources of regional concern that are protected. Three of the regional
habitats of concern that have been previously documented within a three-mile radius of
the project site were observed within the BSA. These include central dune scrub,
central foredune, and coastal and valley freshwater marsh.
The IS/MND indicates that there are no impacts to sensitive plant species. However,
there are potentially significant impacts to special status wildlife species (Pacific Pond
Turtle, California Red-Legged Frog and Steelhead Trout) and nesting birds. The
measures contained in the Resolution mitigate these impacts to less than significant.
Hazards and Hazardous Materials
Human-caused hazards often occur as a result of modern activities and technologies.
These potential hazards can include the use of hazardous materials and buildings that
may be unsafe during a strong earthquake. A number of Federal and State agencies
are responsible for the regulation of hazardous materials. The County of San Luis
Obispo is responsible for enforcing State regulations, both in the City of Arroyo Grande
and the County, governing hazardous substance generators, hazardous substance
storage, and underground storage tanks (including inspections, enforcement, and
removals). The San Luis Obispo County Environmental Health Department regulates
the use, storage, and disposal of hazardous substances in the County by issuing
permits, monitoring regulatory compliance, investigating complaints, and other
enforcement activities.
The proposed project includes the use of temporary construction equipment to
horizontally bore, and horizontally install, an underground water line from one side of
Arroyo Grande Creek to the other. These uses would not create a significant hazard to
the public/environment involving hazardous materials. Construction materials, including
fuels and oils, may be transported during construction, in compliance with existing
regulations.
The proposed project does not involve any uses that would create a significant hazard
to the public or environment through reasonably foreseeable upset and accident
conditions involving the release of hazardous materials into the environment. Although a
limited amount of hazardous materials would be present at the Project site (namely oil
and gas for construction equipment and vehicles) during normal construction conditions,
hazardous materials would not pose a substantial risk. However, there is the potential
for spills to occur at the Project site, which would potentially impact the environment.
Item 8.f. - Page 4
CITY COUNCIL
CONSIDERATION OF CAPITAL IMPROVEMENT PROJECT 14-001; APPROVAL OF A MITIGATED
NEGATIVE DECLARATION FOR THE LEANNA DRIVE CREEK CROSSING WATERLINE PROJECT;
LOCATION-LEANNA DRIVE AND ARROYO GRANDE CREEK
MAY 27,2014
PAGE 5
The measures contained in the Resolution mitigate impacts related to Hazardous
Materials to less than significant.
Noise
Community noise levels are typically measured in terms of A-weighted decibel (dBA).
Weighting is a frequency correction that correlates overall sound pressure levels with
the frequency response of the human ear. Equivalent noise level (Leq) is the average
noise level on an energy basis for a specific time period. The duration of noise and the
time of day at which it occurs are important factors in determining the impact of noise on
communities. The Community Noise Equivalent Level (CNEL) and Day-Night Average
Level (Ldn) account for the time of day and duration of noise generation. These indices
are time-weighted average values equal to the amount of acoustic energy equivalent to
a time-varying sound over a 24-hour period.
The City's General Plan Noise Element and the San Luis Obispo County General Plan
Noise Element do not specify noise thresholds for temporary noise sources; however
the General Plans do contain stationary noise thresholds to preserve the tranquility of
residential areas. According to the Noise Elements, the maximum acceptable noise
exposure from stationary noise sources is 70 dB from 7 a.m. to 10 p.m. and 65dB from
10 p.m. to 7 a.m. In addition, Section 9.16.030.G of the Arroyo Grande City Ordinance
and section 23.06.042h of the San Luis Obispo County Noise Ordinance state noise
sources associated with work performed by the City or private or public utilities in the
maintenance or modification of its facilities are exempt from noise standards.
Construction activity noise levels at and near the proposed project construction areas
would fluctuate depending on the particular type and duration of uses of various pieces
of construction equipment. Construction activity would entail excavation, drilling, and
finish grading. The main sources of noise during construction activities would be the
heavy machinery used in excavation and horizontal drilling. Noise from construction
activities may intermittently dominate the noise environment in the immediate area of
construction. There are two residential neighborhoods adjacent to the project area.
Maximum noise levels associated with the use of heavy equipment at the construction
site can range from about 78 to 84 dBA at 50 feet from the source, depending upon the
types of equipment in operation at any given time and phase of construction (U.S.
Department of Transportation, 2006). Noise generated by digging, drilling, and finishing
activities associated with short-term installation of the water line would result in an
increase in noise at the nearest residences.
The measures contained in the Resolution mitigate impacts related to Noise impacts to
less than significant.
ALTERNATIVES:
The following alternatives are provided for the City Council's consideration:
• Adopt the Resolution approving the Mitigated Negative Declaration and directing
the City Clerk to file a Notice of Determination (NOD);
Item 8.f. - Page 5
CITY COUNCIL
CONSIDERATION OF CAPITAL IMPROVEMENT PROJECT 14-001; APPROVAL OF A MITIGATED
NEGATIVE DECLARATION FOR THE LEANNA DRIVE CREEK CROSSING WATERLINE PROJECT;
LOCATION-LEANNA DRIVE AND ARROYO GRANDE CREEK
MAY 27,2014
PAGES
• Modify and adopt the Resolution;
• Do not adopt the Resolution;
• Provide direction to staff.
ADVANTAGES:
Adopting the MND allows the City to proceed with the Project, which is identified as a
high priority project for the City.
DISADVANTAGES:
There are no disadvantages identified by staff.
ENVIRONMENTAL REVIEW:
Staff has reviewed the proposed project in accordance with the California
Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) Guidelines and prepared a Mitigated Negative
Declaration.
PUBLIC NOTIFICATION AND COMMENT:
A Notice of Availability of the IS/MND was sent to property owners and tenants located
within 300' of the project site, and fifteen (15) copies of the IS/MND with Notice of
Completion was sent to the State Clearinghouse for distribution to various State reviewing
agencies. The IS/MND was posted on the City's website on Wednesday, April 16, 2014
for public review. The Agenda was posted in front of City Hall on Thursday, May 22,
2014. The Agenda and report were posted on the City's website on Friday, May 23,
2014. No public comments were received.
Item 8.f. - Page 6
RESOLUTION NO.
A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF
ARROYO GRANDE ADOPTING A MITIGATED NEGATIVE
DECLARATION, INSTRUCTING THE CITY CLERK TO FILE
A NOTICE OF DETERMINATION, AND APPROVING
DESIGN IMPROVEMENTS FOR THE LEANNA DRIVE
CREEK CROSSING WATERLINE PROJECT; CAPITAL
IMPROVEMENT PROJECT NO. 14-001; LOCATED AT
LEANNA DRIVE AND ARROYO GRANDE CREEK
WHEREAS, the Leanna Drive Creek Crossing Waterline Project (the "Project") was
identified in the 2012 Water System Master Plan as the highest priority; and
WHEREAS, on October 8, 2013 the City Council approved a consultant services
agreement with Cannon Corporation in the amount of $83,508 for the design and
construction support services for the Project; and
WHEREAS, on May 27, 2014, at a duly noticed public meeting the City Council
considered Capital Improvement Project No. 14-001 consisting of certain design
improvements for the Project including the abandonment of the existing 8" water main
and concrete encasement and replacement with a new HOPE main, which will be
installed using horizontal directional drilling (HOD) under the creek; and
WHEREAS, the City Council finds, after due study, deliberation and public hearing, the
following circumstances exist:
Required CEQA Findings:
1. The City of Arroyo Grande has prepared an initial study pursuant to Section 15063
of the Guidelines of the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA), for the
Project.
2. Based on the initial study, a Mitigated Negative Declaration was prepared for
public review. A copy of the Mitigated Negative Declaration and related materials
is located at City Hall in the Community Development Department.
3. After holding a public meeting pursuant to State and City Codes, and considering
the record as a whole, the City Council adopts a Mitigated Negative Declaration
and finds that there is no substantial evidence of any significant adverse effect,
either individually or cumulatively on wildlife resources as defined by Section 711.2
of the Fish and Game Code or on the habitat upon which the wildlife depends as a
result of development of this Project. Further, the City Council finds that said
Negative Declaration reflects the City's independent judgment and analysis.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the City Council of the City of Arroyo
Grande hereby adopts a Mitigated Negative Declaration, directs the City Clerk to file a
Item 8.f. - Page 7
RESOLUTION NO.
Notice of Determination, and hereby approves the design improvements for Capital
Improvement Project No. 14-001, copies of which are on file with the Community
Development Department.
On motion by Council Member ___ , seconded by Council Member ___ , and by
the following roll call vote to wit:
AYES:
NOES:
ABSENT:
the foregoing Resolution was adopted this 2ih day of May, 2014.
Item 8.f. - Page 8
RESOLUTION NO.
TONYFERRARA,MAYOR
ATTEST:
KELLY WETMORE, CITY CLERK
APPROVED AS TO CONTENT:
STEVEN ADAMS, CITY MANAGER
APPROVED AS TO FORM:
TIMOTHY J. CARMEL, CITY ATTORNEY
Item 8.f. - Page 9
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