SR-410-001 (23)
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JAN 1 2 1986
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CjED:CPD:DKW:JWR
COUNCIL MEETING: January 12, 1988
Santa Monica, California
TO: Mayor and City Council
FROM: City staff
SUBJECT: certification of Third street Mall Initial study
INTRODUCTION
This memo requests city Council certification of the Third street
Mall Public Improvement Project Initial study and Negative
Declaration. A brief summary of the Initial study is provided.
BACKGROUND AND SUMMARY
The original Third street Mall Specific Plan Environmental Impact
Report did not examine the impacts of adding two lanes of motor
vehicle traffic to the public right-Of-way. Thus, the purpose of
the attached Initial study was to consider the potential impacts
of vehicular traffic on the Mall. Among the issues addressed in
the Initial Study are air quality, noise, circulation, and
neighborhood impacts.
with respect to air quality, the study indicates that patrons of
the Mall will not be exposed to carbon monoxide levels in excess
of state and federal standards.
since the completion of the
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Ini tial Study, the plans for the Improvement proj ect have been
modified slightly to allow outdoor dining at points where the
street will divide to form. pavilions. However, even with this
modification to the original plans, all outdoor dining will take
place at a minimum of 8 feet from the street and, in most cases,
at least l8 feet from the street. Thus, there should be limited
effects from auto traffic on outdoor dining.
The study examines the level of noise likely to be generated by
vehicular traffic and concludes that exterior and interior noise
levels along the Mall will not exceed state and federal
standards.
Several circulation issues are addressed in the report.
Potential increased hazards to pedestrians on the Mall would be
fully mitigated by 3-way traffic signals. Since vehicular
traffic on Third street at the intersection of Third and Arizona
would be halted during the Farmers' Market's hours of operation,
there would be no negative impact on the Market. Finally, the
study concludes that auto traffic on the Mall would have no
significant disruptive impact on circulation in and around the
area.
with respect to neighborhood impacts, the Initial study states
that rather than having a negative impact on the surrounding
neighborhood, the project would likely enhance quality of life by
helping revitalize the Mall.
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CONCLUSION
According to the Initial study, the Third street Mall Public
Improvement project will have no significant environmental
impacts. Thus, a Negative Declaration was prepared.
BUDGET/ECONOMIC IMPACT
Funds for the Mall construction project have been the subject of
separate Council action. The recommendations of this report have
no budget or economic impact.
RECOMMENDATION
staff respectfully recommends that the Council:
1) Find that the Initial study and Negative Declaration have been
prepared in compliance with state and City CEQA guidelines, that
there is sufficient data to support a finding that the project
will not have a significant effect on the environment, and that
the City Council has considered the contents of the envrionmental
analysis; and
2) That the City Council certify the Initial Study and Negative
Declaration.
Attachment: Third street Mall Public Improvement
Project Initial study
Prepared by: John W. Read, Associate Planner
wjCC3rdrpt
1/5/88
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