SR-081407-1I~~r
~;tYo, City Council Report
Santa Monica
City Council Meeting: August 14, 2007
Agenda Item: ~ ~-
To: Mayor and City Council
From: Craig Perkins, Director -Environmental and Public Works Management
Subject:. Adopt a Resolution Approving a Mitigated Negative Declaration/Mitigation
Monitoring Reporting Program for the Palisades Bluff Improvement Project
and Authorize the City Engineer to Proceed with the Development of
Bidding Documents to Implement the Project
Recommended Action
Staff recommends that the City Council:
1. adopt the attached resolution approving the Mitigated Negative Declaration
/Mitigation Monitoring Reporting .Program prepared for the Palisades Bluff
Improvement Project; and,
2. authorize the City Engineer to proceed with the development of bidding
documents for implementation of the Palisades Bluffs Improvement project as
recommended in the Geotechnical Study of the Palisades Bluffs and as
described in this report.
Executive Summary
The Palisades Bluffs Improvement Project involves the implementation of geotechnical
improvements to the Palisades Bluffs from the McClure Tunnel to the Northwest
boundary of the City of Santa Monica to reduce the risk of future landslides and bluff
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erosion. The proposed improvements include the installation of drainage measures, a
limited demonstration of surface treatment measures which consist of applications of
chemical grouting to determine the aesthetic impacts prior to broader implementation,
planting of native vegetation and other safety measures as recommended in the
Geotechnical Study of the Palisades Bluffs (October 2004). The California
Environmental Quality Act guidelines require the City to assess the project's potential
impact on the environment prior to commencement of construction. The City prepared
an Initial Study/Mitigated Negative Declaration that concludes that the proposed project
would have no significant impact on the surrounding environment with the incorporation
of mitigation measures. The Mitigation Monitoring Reporting Program is designed to
ensure compliance with mitigation measures during project implementation. This report
recommends that City Council adopt the attached resolution approving the Mitigated
Negative Declaration/ Mitigation Monitoring Reporting Program and authorize the City
Engineer to proceed with the development of bidding documents to implement the
improvements to the Palisades Bluffs as described in this report.
Discussion
The geotechnical investigation of the Santa Monica Palisades Bluffs was performed by
URS Corporation in 2004 on behalf of the City. The objective of the investigation was to
develop conceptual design recommendations and cost estimates for enhancing stability
of the Bluffs adjacent to Pacific Coast Highway (PCH) along the length of Palisades
Park (approximately 1.6 miles of the coastal bluffs). An important aspect of this task
was to preserve the Bluffs' natural appearance. The scope of work included a
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comprehensive review of existing data, field conditions and geological mapping, drilling
of vertical and horizontal exploratory holes, installation of groundwater observation wells
and horizontal drains, laboratory and field testing of soils, assessment of potential
slope-failure mechanisms, and the development of improvement alternatives for the
Bluffs, without destroying their natural beauty. At the conclusion of the investigation, a
Geotechnical Study (Final Draft Report) was prepared. The Geotechnical Study
recommended a series of non-intrusive improvement elements, which can be applied
individually,. or in combination, for different areas of the Bluffs, as appropriate.
Consistent with the Geotechnical Study, the following scope of work is recommended
for this project:
• Drainage Improvements
Horizontal drains (hydraugers) are proposed to be installed north of the California
Incline. The drains consist of a small diameter perforated pipe drilled into the
base of the bluffs adjacent to PCH. The drains will collect excess ground water
and provide a path for water to exit the Bluffs to improve stability. Similar
systems were installed as part of the Santa Monica Palisades Bluffs Slope.
Repair project following the 1998 landslide and proved to be successful in
removing excess water.
• Surface Treatments
Surface treatment is intended to reduce erosion of exposed surfaces along the
Bluffs. Surface treatments will be installed in areas that are not visible from PCH
or areas adjacent to PCH. Surface treatments will initially be installed in a limited
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area along the Bluffs from the McClure Tunnel to the northern City limit. The
surface treatments consist of measures such as the application of a spray-on
chemical grout and asoil/chemical grout mixture. The surface treatment will be
tested in this limited area to ensure that it will not be visible from PCH or the
California Incline and will be assessed by a licensed landscape architect. If the
demonstration installations are successful, staff will propose to implement more
extensive surface treatments as a second phase.
Planting of Native Vegetation
To prevent soil erosion, native southern California coastal bluff scrub habitat
plant species would be used for planting and landscaping of the Bluffs at various
locations where appropriate. The use of native plants would require no watering
after the initial planting, or once the plants are established. The plant species
chosen would be characteristic of southern California coastal bluffs.
Other Safety Measures
Several areas along the Bluff have overhanging soil blocks, old pavement,
abandon concrete structures and pipes. These items are to be removed or
stabilized where possible to enhance the safety of traffic and pedestrians along
PCH.
Environmental Analysis
A draft Initial Study and Mitigated Negative Declaration was prepared pursuant to
Sections 15063(c) and 15070(b) (1) of the California Environmental Quality Act
Guidelines to addresses the potential environmental effects of the improvement
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elements recommended in the Geotechnical Study. The Initial Study/Mitigated Negative
Declaration identified environmental impacts that would be potentially affected by the
project including aesthetics, biological resources, construction effects, cultural and
historic resources, geology/soils, hydrology/water quality, and neighborhood effects.
The Initial Study/Mitigated Negative Declaration was circulated fora 30-day public
review period from February 5, 2007 to March 7, 2007. Three (3) comments were
received on the Draft Initial Study/Mitigated Negative Declaration. The comments and
responses to the comments are included in the Final Initial Study/Mitigated Negative
Declaration. The Initial Study/Mitigated Negative Declaration concluded that, with the
incorporation of proposed mitigation measures, the proposed project would not result in
significant impacts. The required mitigation measures are detailed in the Mitigation
Monitoring and Reporting Program, which is included in the Initial Study/Mitigated
Negative Declaration and attached to the proposed Resolution.
Public Outreach
After circulation of the Mitigated Negative Declaration, City staff met separately with the
PCH Residents Association, Santa Monica Canyon Civic Association and Palisades
Neighborhood Council in June 2007 to provide updated information on the proposed
project and environmental approval process. At these informational meetings, the
community voiced three areas of concern: 1) the temporary traffic impacts on PCH
associated with the implementation of the Bluffs project; 2) the coordination/cumulative
temporary traffic impact of this project with the proposed project to reconstruct the
California Incline; and 3) potential aesthetic impacts associated with the proposed
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improvements. In response to these concerns, the implementation schedule will be
coordinated with other projects including the reconstruction of the California Incline to
minimize temporary construction traffic impacts.
The Bluffs Improvement Project will be completed prior to the proposed closure and
reconstruction of the California Incline. A detailed Construction Traffic Management
Plan will be developed during preparation of the bidding documents in accordance with
the mitigation requirements established in the Mitigated Negative Declaration. The
Construction Traffic Management Plan will. also be coordinated with Caltrans and the
City of Los Angeles. Additionally, the proposed surface treatment will be performed in a
limited area as an initial demonstration project to ensure that a viewer from PCH or the
California Incline could not discern the difference between the treated and natural areas
before the treatment is applied to a broader area of the Bluffs.
Previous Council Items
On July 25, 2006, the City Council approved Contract No. 8467 (CCS) with URS
Corporation to provide environmental program management services for the Santa
Monica Bluffs Improvement Project. URS Corporation has been contracted to conduct
slope erosion inspection and to work with the project's environmental consultant,
Rincon, to complete the environmental review process. Upon approval of the Mitigated
Negative Declaration /Mitigation Monitoring .Reporting Program and as authorized by
the City Engineer, URS Corporation will proceed with the development of bidding
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documents for the improvement project as the next phase of their current professional
services agreement. This agreement was authorized by City Council on April 26, 2005.
B u d_get/F i na n ci a l Impact
The recommendation presented in this report does not have a budget or financial
impact.
Prepared by:
Spiros Lazaris, P.E., Civil Engineer
Approved:
Forwarded to Council:
Craig Perkins, irector ~~. a ont Ewell
Environmen and Public Works ty anager
Management Department
Attachments: Resolution
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Reference
Resolution No.
10236 (CCS).
Additional
attachments
available for review
in City Clerk's
office.