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HomeMy WebLinkAbout1999-11-23 - AGENDA REPORTS - GVR SOLEDAD INTERSEC UPDATE (2)CITY OF SANTA CLARITA AGENDA REPORT UNFINISHED BUSINESS DATE: November 23, 1999 City Manager Approval: Item to be presented by: SUBJECT: GOLDEN VALLEY ROAD AND SOLEDAD CANYON ROAD INTERSECTION/INTERCHANGE - UPDATE DEPARTMENT: Transportation & Engineering Services RECOMMENDED ACTION City Council accept the Feasibility Study Report and the City staff presentation on the Golden Valley Road and Soledad Canyon Road intersection/interchange. Based on the report recommendations, authorize staff to move forward with the preliminary design and environmental assessment phase of the project, subject to evaluation of any additional at - grade alternatives submitted prior to December 17, 1999 by the Soledad Canyon Road Improvement Alliance. Authorize the City Manager to extend the current contract with ASL Consulting Engineers (ASL) to move forward with the next phase of the project. BACKGROUND During the May 11, 1999 City Council meeting, Councilmembers approved a contract with ASL Consulting Engineers to perform a preliminary design analysis and prepare a Feasibility Study Report for a new intersection/interchange between the proposed Golden Valley Road and existing Soledad Canyon Road. The results of that study were presented to the City Council during a study session on October 5, 1999, and repeated during a Council meeting on October 26, 1999. Council directed City staff to meet with local developers, business owners, and residents within the area to provide the property owners and residents another opportunity to review the developed concept alternatives and solicit their input on specific issues raised by each alternative design. On Monday, November 8, 1999, City staff and ASL held a second meeting with the Soledad Canyon Road Improvement Alliance (Larry Rasmussen, Allan Cameron, and their engineers) to discuss their proposed at -grade intersection design. Later that evening, the City held its second public meeting inviting 700 local business owners and residents, including representatives from Santa Clarita Business Park, Valley Business Center, and Canyon Country Beautification Committee to address public questions and collect comments to incorporate into the next phase of the study. :.I W1.01N,Lvaj GOLDEN VALLEY AND SOLEDAD CANYON ROAD INTERSECTION/INTERCHANGE FEASIBILITY STUDY November 23, 1999 - Page 2 The Soledad Canyon Road Improvement Alliance indicated that they have two additional at -grade alternatives that they believe are superior to any alternative evaluated in the Feasibility Report. City staff has agreed to evaluate their alternatives prior to initiating the environmental process, given that the requested information is submitted by December 17,1999. Questions and concerns raised during the public meeting were similar to those raised during the first public meeting held in July 1999. In addition to the right-of-way, issues raised include the railroad and traffic safety, geology and seismic safety, and aesthetics. Mr. Lou Cluster, representing the SCRRA/METROLINK, was present at the meeting to answer questions regarding rail -crossing issues. Mr. Cluster indicated that the position of the SCRRA and the PUC had not changed, and for reasons previously identified, they would strongly oppose an at -grade crossing, whether as an interim solution or a permanent one. One of the reasons that the Council requested the study was to begin to understand the impacts that would result on the adjacent properties. There are both public and private pending projects that may be impacted by the eventual construction of any configuration linking the two six -lane major highways. City staff cannot provide direction to area business owners and applicants interested in developing adjacent properties until the City has completed the geometric design of said intersection. Based on criteria and methodology set for the study, the feasibility report recommends one alternative as the preferred design for the proposed connection. This recommendation may change if additional alternatives are proposed before or during the process. Further analysis (by staff, consultants, and the City Council) during the environmental review and preliminary design phases, along with additional public participation, will allow staff to continually address concerns and comments raised by the public, and will aid to eventually set the configuration and alignment of the proposed connection. ALTERNATIVE ACTIONS City Council may choose to postpone or cancel further work on this issue. Postponement will have significant impacts on the adjacent projects associated with this study. The results of the next phase of this study will provide the City Council with adequate background information to make further decisions regarding the alignment of the proposed connection. FISCAL IMPACT GOLDEN VALLEY AND SOLEDAD CANYON ROAD INTERSECTIONANTERCHANGE FEASIBILITY STUDY November 23, 1999 - Page 3 The subject project is within the joint City/County Bouquet Bridge and Major Thoroughfare (B&T) Construction Fee District under the City's jurisdiction. The City anticipates that the County will fund this next phase of the project in the same manner as the phase that was just completed. ATTACHMENT None. KM:tw council\gldnvlbr\update.doc SANTA CLARITA BUSINESS PARK CO. 23120 Lyons Avenue #5436 Newhall, California 91321 661-259-5606 Fax 661-259-4065 November 22, 1999 9701.688 Mr. George Caravalho City Manager City of Santa Clarita 23920 Valencia Blvd. Santa Clarita, Ca 91355 RE: Golden Valley Road — Soledad Canyon Road Intersection Dear George, Recently, the City commissioned a study for the intersection of Golden Valley Road and Soledad Canyon Road. The initial conclusion of this feasibility report is to have a grade separation (bridge) cross over both the Metrolink rail line and Soledad Canyon Road. This conclusion is preliminary and if finally concluded that it is the most favorable, may not be built for at least seven to twelve years due to financial and development restraints. I am of the opinion that regardless of the alignment or methodology of the intersection, the City needs to act now, with an interim solution to move traffic along the currently over congested Soledad Canyon Road and the soon to be Golden Valley Road. Current Situation — Critical With Golden Valley Road under construction by January 2000, the Golden Valley High School opening in September of 2001 and Santa Clarita Business Park fully developed (3.5 million square feet of buildings) by 2003, traffic on Golden Valley Road is anticipated to swell to unprecedented proportions. This traffic flow will put stress on the feeder intersections, at Ruether Avenue, Golden Triangle Road and Golden Oak Road, to Soledad CanyonRoad. Mr. George Caravalho City of Santa Clarita November 22, 1999 Page 2 Historic B&T Districts Never Discussed A Flv Over Soledad Canyon Road Neither the Los Angeles County Public Works nor the City of Santa Clarita had ever designated a bridge at Golden Valley Road and Soledad Canyon Road in either the Bouquet Canyon or the Route 126 (later renamed Eastside) B&T District. The first formal consideration for a bridge was through the ASL Engineering study in August 1999. A Bridge To No Where The ASL study was limited in determining the initial concepts for a Golden Valley Road/Soledad Canyon Road crossing. It is assumed that this crossing would later be tied into the Golden Valley Road Bridge crossing the Santa Clara River and continuing into Newhall Ranch Road on the north side of the river. We understand that currently both the Bouquet Canyon and the Eastside B&T Fee Districts would not have enough funds to build either or both of these bridges. The fact that Newhall Ranch Road and its surrounding area have yet to be committed for construction, would have the Golden Valley Road/Soledad Canyon Road Bridge becoming a `Bridge to No Where It appears practical, that when a bridge is built across Soledad Canyon Road it should continue beyond the Santa Clara River and concurrently be tied into a major arterial street, such as Newhall Ranch Road. To build a bridge and create a dead end, forcing traffic one-way would be a deterrent to good basic traffic flow and waste the City's time and money. Both bridges should be designed and constructed together to maximize dollars spent and provide a safe transition from one major street to another. At -Grade Crossing An at -grade crossing to act as an interim solution for Golden Valley Road and Soledad Canyon Road traffic appears to be a reasonable idea. The cost of an interim crossing would be in the neighborhood of $3 million compared to the $25- 35 million for any of the four ASL bridge concepts. The interim at -grade crossing would solve immediate traffic concerns and the addition of a bridge at a later date, would give the public another route to travel. Problems An at -grade crossing has been suggested but has meet with criticism due to 1) the close proximity of the Golden Valley Road/Golden Triangle Road intersection to the Golden Valley Road/Soledad Canyon Road intersection and 2) the Metrolink rail line. Mr. George Caravalho City of Santa Clarita November 22, 1999 Page 3 Solutions Solutions to these issues are 1) Golden Triangle Road could be relocated a safe distance from the rail line and Soledad Canyon Road to allow for adequate separation between the intersections. An alternative would be a new road crossing Golden Valley Road could be placed for through traffic to go east or west, while Golden Triangle Road is converted into right turn only intersection with Golden Valley Road. 2) Two issues are associated with the train tracks, first illegal crossings when the guardrail is down and second the comparison of accidents at an at -grade crossing compared to a barrier placed at the end of a major street (proposed bridge). The Metrolink rail line crossing could be designed using a raised center median device to defer any traffic from crossing against the train signal guard. If a bridge was built with a barrier placed at its end and a one-way turn to exit, the barrier at the end of a major street has a tendency of creating more accidents than a controlled at -grade rail crossing. Although it is the intention of the designers to design a system where there are no loss of life, limb or property, statistically the at -grade crossing would have the fewer accidents than the dead end barrier. Conclusion The City Council should expand Staffs authority to discuss and look into an interim solution to the Golden Valley Road/Soledad Canyon intersection. The temporary at -grade crossing suggested would be preferred because; 1) it would not require any major condemnation action; 2) could be accomplished with minimal effect on traffic (work being done at night); 3) provide the most cost effective way to handle heavy traffic loads currently experienced and expected in the area and 4) provides adequate time for a full study and full funding of the permanent solution for a crossing. If you need any additional information or facts backing up my discussions, please call me. Santa Clarita Business Park Co. zv. Sv'k' Larry Rasmussen C. JoAnne Darcy & Councilmembers J. Klajic, L. Weste, J. Heidt & F. Ferry SANTA CLARITA BUSINESS PARK CO. 23120 Lyons Avenue #5436 Newhall, California 91321 661-259-5606 Fax 661-259-4065 November 21, 1999 Mr. George Caravalho City Manager City of Santa Clarita 23920 Valencia Blvd. Santa Clarita, Ca 91355-2196 9701.685 RE: Development Agreement between the City of Santa Clarita and Santa Clarita Business Park Co. It occurred to meat the November 9, 1999 Council meeting that the current City Council maybe unaware of the exact terms and benefits applicable to the City as a result of the Development Agreement between the City and Santa Clarita Business Park Co. I am convinced that if the entire Council were aware of the City's benefits derived from this Agreement, they would see the Agreement benefited both parties, and that a win-win situation was created. The Development Agreement required, in addition to the numerous Tentative Tract Conditions imposed by Los Angeles County, additional requirements as result of the negotiations between the City and SCBP. The items listed below are the result of the final Development Agreement and list the direct obligations of SCBP as well as the residual effects of the Agreement: Bridge & Thoroughfare Fees For Tract 42670-02: Bridge and Thoroughfare fees for Tract 42670-02 alone are estimated at $4,300,000: Three additional properties added to the Business Park under the Development Agreement would account for almost an additional $800,000 in fees. (Cost Analysis: If SCBP were not developing the Business Park the City would lose $5,100,000 in fees.) 2. Improve Golden Valley Road: Three areas (Phases 1-3) of improvements including two outside of Tract 42670-02 and Golden Valley Road within Tract 42670-02 would complete Golden Valley Road from Golden Triangle Road to Sierra Highway. SCBP through Spirit Construction provided leadership as part of the design and build phases of the work. At the City's direction, Phase 1 was taken away from SCBP, leaving SCBP responsible for only Phases 2 & 3. (Cost CAMy Documents\Scbp\Misc.\9701.685.doc.P.T. City of Santa Clarita Development Agreement 9701.685 November 21, 1999 Page 2 Analysis: The cost for Phase 2 is $1,799,242 [as per CFD Agreement] and Phase 3 is $7,784,430 [as per CFD Agreement). If SCBP was not developing the Business Park, then costs for Phase 2 & 3 would increase as follows: Phase 2 would require the right-of-way to be acquired. Using the same parameters the City has used to acquire right-of-way from other Golden Valley Road landowners (square footage times a dollar amount). The total square footage of Golden Valley Road within Tract 42670-02 is 186,437 S.F. times $3.55/S.F. _ $661,851. Phase 3 would require an additional 825,000 cubic yards of imported dirt to fill Golden Valley Road, south of Tract 42670-02. At an estimated $5.00/C.Y. the cost of the import would be $4,166,250. Total benefit to City for Phase 2 & 3 = $14,441,773) 3. Improve Golden Triangle Road: Improve Golden Triangle Road from east of Golden Oak Road to west of Ruether Avenue. These improvements along with the in -tract improvements will make Golden Triangle Road a through street from Rainbow Glen Road to a point west of Golden Oak Road. (Cost Analysis: $1,200,000, however a portion or all of this amount may be reimbursed to SCBP if new retail sales tax collected within Business Park are charged before termination of Golden Triangle Road Reimbursement Agreement. The full $1,200,000 amount is shown to reflect the cost of Golden Triangle Road outside of Tract 42670-02, if SCBP did not develop Business Park) 4. Streetlights: This will be the only business park in town that has streetlights on both sides of the street. SCBP was not required to place lights within the Business Park, but agreed to the City s request for this improvement for the benefit of the community. (Cost Analysis: 235 streetlights @ $2,200 ea. _ $517,000) 5. Sidewalks: Another first for a business park, sidewalks on both sides of the street. Again SCBP was not required to place the sidewalks, but voluntarily agreed. (Cost Analysis: 205,685 S.F. @ $2.70/S. F. _ $555,349) C:\My Documents\Scbp\Misc.\9701.685.dOc.P.T. City of Santa Clarita Development Agreement 9701.685 November 21, 1999 Page 3 6. Lot 71, Tract 42670-02: This lot will be sold to the City for the price of one dollar ($1). The lot is located between Redview Drive and the Sports Complex and will enhance the Complex's access and total recreational use. (Cost Analysis: Lot 71 = 87,000 S.F. @ $5.00/S.F. _ $435,000) 7. 12 -Acre Site: The 12 -acre site located south of Tract 42670-02, with frontage on the Golden Valley Road extension was offered to the City at a below market rate of $7.50 per flat pad area. (Cost Analysis: 12 -Acre Parcel after grading will yield approximately 304,920 S.F. Fair Market Value is $10.50 S.F. _ $3,201,660 minus [the 304,920 @ $7.50 (City costs) _ $2,286,900] _ $914,760) 8. . Right -Of -Way for 12 -Acre Site: As a result of Golden Valley Road extension, approximately 2.6 acres of the 12 -acre site would be lost to right of way and slope easements on the sites eastside. The fair market value of the lost property would be equal to the price the City is purchasing the remaining portion. (Cost Analysis: 1,000 L.F. x 116 L.F. = 116,000 @ $7.50 = $870,000) 9. Fence DWP Riaht of Way: Provide, for the public's safety, a fence within Tract 42670-02, along to the DWP right of way adjacent to Golden Valley Road and portions along the tract's eastern boundary. (Cost Analysis: $201,500) 10. Increase the Volume of Previously Approved Retention Basins: As part of Tract 42670-02 grading and storm drain plans approved by L.A. County and at the request of the City, SCBP, agreed to increase the volume of five retention basins associated with the tract. The redesign was to accommodate runoff generally from outside the Business Park. The result of the redesign was a loss of saleable flat pad area from the Business Park. (Cost Analysis: Loss of 37,348 S.F. of flat pad area @ $10.50/S.F = $392,154) CAMy Documents\Scbp\Misc.\9701.685.doc.P.T. City of Santa Clarita Development Agreement 9701.685 November 21, 1999 Page 4 Santa Clarita Business Park Co. has agreed to pay the full cost for the two traffic signals to be placed along Golden Valley Road at Redview Drive and Golden Triangle Road. (Cost Analysis: 2 signals @ $150,000 ea. _ $300,000) 12. Trail from Soledad Canyon Road to Sports Complex: SCBP has agreed to create a trail from the existing trail on Soledad Canyon Road to the Sports Complex, via D.W.P. right of way, once the City obtains the right from D.W.P. (Cost Analysis: 3,600 L.F. Pave -36, 000 S.F @ $2.00/S.F. = $72,000, Fence- 7,200 L.F. @ $12.00 L.F. = $86,000 & Landscape = $100,000. Total = $258,400) 13. Parking Lot for Sports Complex: SCBP has agreed to grade and pave an overflow parking lot for the Sports Complex beneath the adjacent D.W.P. lines west of the Sports Complex on the right-of-way obtained from the D.W.P. by the City. (Cost Analysis: $257,025) 14. Below Market Sales of Lots 1 & 2 Tract 38936 for Family & Child Development Center: Santa Clarita Business Park Co. will be selling the Family & Child Development Center two lots, below market rate, for their Canyon County facility. (Cost Analysis: 116,400 S.F. @ $11.50/S.F.[School District's appraisal] = $1,338,600 minus [$500,000 selling price] = $838,600) 15. Santa Clarita Business Park Co. has sold a lot to the Hart High School District, below the market rate, for use as an education center across from their District offices. (Cost Analysis: 49,400 S.F. @ $11.50/S.F. [School District's appraisal] = $568,100 minus [$370,000 selling price] = $198,100) C:\My Documents\Scbp\Misc.\9701.685.doc.P.T. City of Santa Clarita Development Agreement 9701.685 November 21, 1999 Page 5 16. The "No Further Action" letter for the footprint of the Golden Valley Road right-of-way was expedited through Santa Clarita Business Park Co.'s effort. SCBP hired the law fine of Paul, Hastings Janofsky & Walker, environmental attorneys, to expedite the DTSC and Porta Bella's developer in progressing with the reclassification of the areas "Operative Units", the field and laboratory work, and the final review of the documents necessary in obtaining the letter. Additionally,. SCBP hired RAMCO Environmental to make an analysis of the scope of work and time required to provide DTSC with information leading to the "No Further Action" letter. (Cost Analysis: PHJW = $58,520, RAMCO = $25,489, Total = $84,009) 17. Mello -Roos Financing vs General Obligation Bonds: The use of a Mello -Roos District to pay for the infrastructure of Golden Valley Road allowed the road to be built without the City paying for the work through General Obligation Bonds. The first phase of the Mello - Roos District will sell $10.3 million in bonds which would result in $8.9 million available (after payment of consultants, fees, reserve etc.) for actual onsite construction. ,Of the $8.9 million, $7.8 million will be used on Golden Valley Road, leaving $1.1 million for Tract 42670-02 improvements. The District will secure these funds via a lien on property owned by SCBP, with SCBP taking the financial risks in the event of an economic downturn. 18. Provide the City with $33 Million for Infrastructure Work: Santa Clarita Business Park Co. has placed its entire tract as collateral for the Mello -Roos District. In return, up to $33 million in bonds would be sold for the infrastructure within Tract 42670-02 and Golden Valley Road. Without Tract 42670-02 construction, the City would be without these important additions to the eastside circulation system. CAMy Documents\Scbp\Mist.\9701.685.doc.P.T. City of Santa Clarita Development Agreement 9701.685 November 21, 1999 Page 6 19. Jobs in Canyon Country: Projections for a fully developed business park anticipate up to 14, 000 newjobs for the Canyon Country area. Local people will fill a large portion of these jobs. As a result, commuter time and the use of natural resources (gasoline, tires, peoples time etc.) will be greatly reduced. 20. Increase Sales Tax Revenue in Canyon Country: As new industry opens within the business park, new sales tax revenues will be generated for the City. In addition local sales tax revenue will increase from the local daily purchases of the anticipated 14,000 -person workforce created by the Business Park. 21. Increase in Property Tax in Canyon Country: The addition of over 200 acres of industrial/commercial/retail business' with the Business Park, with a build -out value of approximately $270 million will add to the tax base of Canyon Country. 22. Road to Golden Valley High School: The completion of Golden Valley Road from Golden Triangle Road to Sierra Highway will provide a two -directional road to the previously landlocked Golden Valley High School site. 23. Golden Valley Road/High School Traffic: With the addition of Golden Valley High School and Golden Valley Road, the local student body (or their parents) will not have to travel cross-town to attend other high schools. This should have a positive impact on cross- town traffic as high school students will have a short trip to school. The total aggregate miles saved by the proximity of the school and the number of trips for special events and after-school activities enhances the positive contribution Golden Valley Road makes to reduce cross-town traffic in the City. C:Wy Documents\ScbpWisc.\9701.685.doc.P.T. City of Santa Clarita Development Agreement 9701.685 November 21, 1999 Page 7 24. Reduce Traffic Across Soledad Canyon Road: It has been shown that cross-town traffic on Soledad Canyon Road would use Golden Valley Road to cross the valley or to access Highway 14. 25. Traffic Mitigation on Rainbow Glen Road: Traffic congestion on Rainbow Glen Road will be reduced due to the extension of Golden Triangle Road, Golden Valley Road and Ruether Avenue. 26. College of the Canyons Campus: As a result of the Golden Valley Road extension and the High School Site, College of the Canyons is expected to open a satellite campus or the eastside of the City, adjacent to the new High School 27. Direct and Indirect Economic Impact of Business Park: P74 The Business Park will have the effect of attracting new workers to Santa Clarita and employing many of the local workforces. Local retail and restaurant business will have much more business as a result of the Business Park. The Business Park and its potential job and tax base will add to the assets of eastern Santa Clarita. These additional attributes will serve to draw closer the economic balance between the east and west sides of the community. 29. Successful Partnership Between the Public and Private Enterprise: The partnership formed between the City and Santa Clarita Business Park Co. for development of the industrial park and surrounding infrastructure that will benefit both parties is a win-win relationship. CAMy Documents\Scbp\Misc.\9701.685.doc.P.T. City of Santa Clarita Development Agreement 9701.685 November 21, 1999 Page 8 These items listed above are a few which have just come to mind; there are others in which the City/Community will benefit as either a direct or indirect result of the Development Agreement and construction of Santa Clarita Business Park. Santa Clarita Business Park Co. would like to acknowledge City's Planning and Engineering Departments for their participation and hard negotiating skills in bringing the City, a Development Agreement, which was both fair and ingenious. The City and SCBP can be proud that they have created a Development Agreement, which provides amenities for the community now, instead of years from now, if at all. We have attached an estimated value to each of the appropriate items and have listed their value on the enclosed Table I. The value of certain items, such as reduction of traffic or economic effect due to increased sales and property taxes have not been estimated or added to the summary. The summary of estimated items total $26,171,516. Based upon these dollar estimates along with the other benefits which no dollar amount was projected, Santa Clarita Business Park Co. has made a substantial contribution to the community and has more than acted in good faith and fair dealing in its development of this business park. Santa Clarita Business Park Co. Larry Rasmussen Enclosure: Table I CAMy Documents\Scbp\Misc.\9701.685.doc.P.T. City of Santa Clarita Development Agreement 9701.685 November 21, 1999 Page 9 TABLE 1. Bridge & Thoroughfare Fees For Tract 42670-02 $ 5,100,000 2. Improve Golden Valley Road $14,441,773 3. Improve Golden Triangle Road $ 1,200,000 4. Streetlights $ 517,000 5. Sidewalks $ 555,349 6. Lot 71, Tract 42670-02 $ 435,000 7. 12 -Acre Site $ 914,760 8. Right of Way for 12 -Acre Site $ 870,000 9. Fence DWP Right of Way $ 201,500 10. Increase the Volume of Previously Approved Retention Basins $ 392,154 11. Traffic Signals at Redview Road & Golden Valley Road and Golden Triangle Road and Golden Valley Road $ 300,000 12. Trail from Soledad Canyon Road to Sports Complex $ 258,400 13. Parking Lot for Sports Complex $ 257,025 14. Below Market Sales of Lots 1 & 2 Tract 38936 for Family & Child Development Center $ 838,600 15. Below Market Sale of Lot 8 Tract 38936 to the William S. Hart High School District for an Education Center $ 198,100 16. Expedited the "No Further Action Letter" from Porta Bella on Golden Valley Right -Of -Way $ 84,009 CAMy Documents\Scbp\Misc.\9701.685.doc.P.T. City of Santa Clarita Development Agreement 9701.685 November 21, 1999 Page 10 TABLE (continued) 17. Mello -Roos Financing vs. General Obligation Bonds 18. Provide the City with $33 Million for Infrastructure Work 19. Jobs in Canyon Country 20. increase Sales Tax Revenue in Canyon Country 21. Increase in Property Tax in Canyon Country 22. Road to Golden Valley High School 23. Golden Valley Road/High School Traffic 24. Reduce Traffic Across Soledad Canyon Road 25. Traffic Mitigation on Rainbow Glen Road 26. College of the Canyons Campus 27. Direct and Indirect Economic Impact of Business Park 28. A Large Step Towards Economic Balance Between the Eastside and Westside of Santa Clarita 29. Successful Partnership Between the Public and Private Enterprise * Items which have economic benefit, but whose actual value is beyond measure. TOTAL ACCOUNTABLE ITEMS CAMy Documents\Scbp\Misc.\9701.685.doc.P.T. $26,663,670