SR-03-19-2013-3K - 405-002Agenda Item: 3 �Z _
To: Mayor and City Council
From: David Martin, Director of Planning and Community Development
Subject: Colorado Esplanade and Civic Center Specific Plan Amendment CEQA
Documentation
Recommended Action
Staff recommends that the City Council:
Adopt the attached resolution approving the Mitigated Negative Declaration and
Mitigation Monitoring Program for the Colorado Esplanade project.
Executive Summary
In compliance with California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA)
proposed Colorado Esplanade project and related CCSP amendmen
through an Initial Study /Mitigated Negative Declaration (IS /MND) wh
for public review between May 8 and June 8, 2012. On February 12,
adopted a resolution authorizing a grant tl
application for additional Esplanade funds. This a =
report requests that Council review and adopt
the IS /MND in advance of the final design
approval in order to meet the California Natural
Resources grant eligibility requirements. The
final design refinements for the Colorado
Esplanade will be presented by Peter Walker
Partners for Council review by May 14, 2013.
The minor amendment of the Civic Center
Specific Plan (CCSP) which addresses a revised
Second Street/Main Street alignment will also be
reviewed on May 14.
requirements, the
is were evaluated
ich was circulated
2013 the Council
Design for the Colorado Esplanade identified an opportunity to realize an objective of
the Civic Center Specific Plan (CCSP) by realigning Main and Second Streets. The
CCSP recommended a new bridge from Main Street to Second Street to better connect
the Civic Center and the Downtown. The proposed Esplanade roadway configuration
allows for the desired connection without the need for a new bridge. As the Esplanade
project resolves a CCSP requirement with a previously unanticipated refinement, an
amendment of the CCSP and appropriate CEQA documentation are required.
This report recommends adoption of the Initial Study /Mitigated Negative Declaration
(IS /MND). Other than biological resources and construction effects, which have been
fully mitigated, the IS /MND found no significant impacts, including traffic. The traffic
analysis for the IS /MND found that vehicle circulation would improve over current
conditions as the one -way Esplanade configuration reduces turning movements at all
three of the project intersections. Adoption of the IS /MND would keep the Colorado
Esplanade project on schedule for construction before the opening of the 4th Street
Expo Light Rail station.
Background
In anticipation of Expo Light Rail operations in 2016, the City and community have been
defining a vision specifically for the Downtown /Civic Center station area through a
series of long -range planning efforts, beginning with the Civic Center Specific Plan
t29051, and including the Land Use and Circulation Element (LUCE 20101, the emerging
Downtown Specific Plan, and numerous public projects which are currently in various
stages of design and construction:
• Pier Bridge replacement
• Early Childhood Education Center
• Civic Center Parks: Tongva Park and Ken Genser Square
• The Civic Center Village
• 4th and Arizona
• Parking Structure 6
• Expo Light Rail Terminus Station
On March 24, 2009 Council reviewed an integrated approach for the Downtown and
Civic Center to improve connectivity, create direct access to the Light Rail station, and
resolve multi -modal circulation issues that identified the need for improvements on
Colorado Avenue and relating to the Main and Second Streets. Council provided
direction on the Esplanade schematic design on February 14 2012, including
development of the proposed Main Street to Second Street Alignment. The Planning
Commission reviewed and supported the Esplanade design at the June 6, 2012
2
meeting, and the Commission reviewed the IS /MND and CCSP amendment at the June
20.201 2 hearing and recommended Council adoption.
Discussion
The interdepartmental evaluation presented in the March 24, 2009 staff report posed
options for increasing pedestrian space on Colorado Avenue in anticipation of the Expo
Light Rail operation and concluded with a recommendation to "develop Colorado
streetscape concepts to enhance pedestrian quality and capacity." The evaluation also
addressed the infeasibility of the Main /Second Street Bridge called for in the CCSP.
The design challenge for the Colorado Esplanade project was primarily to meet the
needs of a growing number of
i �r. I s_ < <�' '�v I pedestrians and bicyclists, yo
I, whom will arrive by light rail, and to
Esplanade continues westbound only from 4th to Ocean
• Expo station creates westbound only Colorado Avenue between 4th and Sth Streets connect them to the Downtown.
oceanfront and Civic Center, while maintaining an optimal flow for vehicular traffic.
Conceptual planning for the Colorado Esplanade began with a thorough evaluation of
feasible roadway configurations including one -way, two -way and expanded sidewalks
on the north or south sides. The final alignment of the Expo Light Rail station at
Colorado and Fourth Street resulted in a westbound -only road configuration between 5th
and 4th Streets to accommodate the station width. After testing for traffic performance
and pedestrian safety, the planning team determined the benefit of continuing the one -
way traffic on Colorado from 4th Street all the way to Ocean Avenue. This alignment
reduced the number of turn movements at intersections, providing a corresponding
improvement in traffic flow and opportunity for signal timing adjustments to
accommodate increased pedestrians without compromising vehicle traffic. The one -
way alignment enabled a reduction in the roadway width and was coupled with
expansion of the sidewalks on the south side of Colorado Avenue. Although not initially
anticipated in the Colorado Esplanade, this configuration also allowed the realignment
3
of Main and Second Streets. This realignment achieves the circulation benefit and
connectivity envisioned in the CCSP without the need for an additional bridge.
Throughout the Esplanade outreach process, members of the community supported the
project for its role in preparing the City's infrastructure for the arrival of the Light Rail,
while implementing the community vision to serve pedestrians, bicyclists, transit riders
and drivers. All groups expressed the desire to improve circulation. Improving these
conditions informed the decision for the southern location of the widened sidewalk and
cycle track, in turn allowing for sufficient land area to create the necessary road
geometry to realign Second and Main Streets.
Environmental and Traffic Analysis
An Initial Study (IS) / Mitigated Negative Declaration (MND) was prepared pursuant to
Sections 15063(c) and 15070 of the California Environmental Quality Act Guidelines
and the City of Santa Monica CEQA Guidelines to address the potential environmental
effects of the Colorado Esplanade Project (Attachment B).
The IS /MND analyzed environmental impacts that would be potentially affected by the
Colorado Esplanade Project and determined that no impacts would occur or impacts
would be less than significant with respect to the following issues: Aesthetics,
Agricultural and Forestry Resources, Air Quality, Cultural Resources, Geology and
Soils, Greenhouse Gas Emissions, Hydrology and Water Quality, Land Use and
Planning, Mineral Resources, Population and Housing, Public Services, Shadows,
Utilities, and Mandatory Findings of Significance.
The IS /MND also identified mitigation measures in the areas of Biological Resources,
and Construction Effects for, Hazards /Hazardous Materials Noise (Construction),
Transportation and Traffic (Construction) to reduce potential impacts to less than
significant levels. To ensure that these measures are properly enacted, a mitigation
monitoring program is necessary and would be enforced during the construction and
operation of the project, if approved. The proposed mitigation measures are provided in
the Final Initial Study /Mitigated Negative Declaration and the Mitigation Monitoring
Program.
11
The Draft Initial Study /Mitigated Negative Declaration was circulated for a 30 -day public
review period from May 8, 2012 through June 8, 2012. Three comments on the IS /MND
were received. A response to comments is attached to the IS /MND. At their June 20
meeting, the Planning Commission unanimously recommended that Council adopt the
IS /MND. The Planning Commission concurred with staff responses that determined any
impacts on the environment could be appropriately mitigated.
Traffic Study
The traffic study included in the IS /MND finds less than significant impacts related to
operational Transportation and Traffic. The proposed Esplanade project would result in
some potential traffic redistribution in the downtown Santa Monica street network. The
project improves overall baseline conditions. The traffic analysis indicates that potential
traffic shifts can be fully accommodated given traffic capacity in parallel corridors
without creating significant operational issues or travel delays.
Under both Approval Year (Year 2012) and Future Year (Year 2020) conditions,
converting Colorado Avenue between Ocean Avenue and 4th Street from two -way to
one -way operations and the realignment of Main Street at Second Street and Colorado
would result in fewer conflicting
vehicular traffic movements at the
four (revised to three) intersections
on Colorado Avenue between Ocean
Avenue and 4th Street. In fact, one -
way operation enables the aligning of
Main and Second Streets which
would otherwise be impossible due
to intersection geometry. It would
also provide opportunity to introduce
a shared pedestrian scramble phase
at Ocean Avenue and Colorado
Traffic Analysis
• Less than significant impacts
• Improves north /south flow on parallel corridors
• Opportunity for improved pedestrian circulation
Avenue which would improve pedestrian access to the Pier from the Esplanade.
5
Planning Commission Review
The Planning Commission reviewed the Colorado Esplanade final design at the June 6,
2012, meeting and unanimously supported the roadway changes and design
progression. The Commission reviewed the IS /MND and CCSP amendment at the
June 20, 2012 hearing and recommended Council adoption.
Financial Impacts and Budget Actions
There is no immediate budget/financial impact associated with the recommendation in
this report. Refinement to the design will be addressed when the project comes forward
for project approval on May 14, 2013. Council review for contract award is expected in
December 2013.
Prepared by: Sarah Lejeune, Principal Planner
Joanna Hankamer, Senior Planner
Approved:
l
David Martin
Director, Planning & Community
Development Department
Attachments:
Forwarded to Council:
Rod Gould
City Manager
A. Resolution to adopt the IS /MND and MMRP
B. Final 1S /MND
I
Reference Resolution No.
10740 (CCS).
Oversized attachment
available for review in the
City Clerk's Office