HomeMy WebLinkAbout2000-06-13 - AGENDA REPORTS - GVR/SOLEDAD PH2 NEGDEC (2)UNFINISHED BUSINESS
DATE:
CITY OF SANTA CLARITA
AGENDA REPORT
June 13, 2000
City Manager Approval:
Item to be presented by:
SUBJECT: RESOLUTION APPROVING A MITIGATED NEGATIVE
DECLARATION PREPARED FOR THE GOLDEN VALLEY ROAD
AND SOLEDAD CANYON ROAD INTERSECTION/INTERCHANGE,
PROJECT NO. 53005 – PHASE 2
DEPARTMENT: Transportation & Engineering Services
RECOMMENDED ACTION
1. City Council adopt a resolution approving the Mitigated Negative Declaration prepared
for the Golden Valley Road and Soledad Canyon Road Intersection/Interchange, and
direct staff to file a Notice of Determination.
2. City Council make a final determination on a design alternative and direct staff to
exclusively consider that one alternative during the development of the second phase of
the Golden Valley Road and Soledad Canyon Road Intersection/Interchange project,
subject to the requirements of the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA).
BACK— GROUND
In response to City Council's direction at the November 30, 1999 City Council meeting,
ASL Consulting Engineers has begun the preliminary design and environmental
assessment phase of this project. This phase will address many of the issues raised during
the project's initial study phase, including aesthetics, noise, and potential impacts to the
adjacent properties. Staff, along with ASL, is further developing the design and has
prepared the required environmental documents for CEQA clearance to more precisely
determine the extent of environmental, right -of --way, and fiscal impacts of four conceptual
alternatives. The findings within the CEQA document of this project provide the City
Council with specific information enabling a final determination to be made regarding the
alignment of the proposed interchange.
A third public meeting was held on April 20, 2000, to provide a project status update and
obtain public input during the preparation of the environmental document. As staff
continues to develop this phase, additional public meetings are planned to provide status
updates and incorporate input from local residents and businesses.
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GOLDEN VALLEY ROAD AND SOLEDAD CANYON ROAD
June 13, 2000 — Page 2
The four conceptual design alternatives currently under consideration are as follows (plans
included in the CEQA document):
ALTERNATIVE 1— Golden Valley Road crosses over Soledad Canyon Road, Golden
Triangle Road, and the Metrolink railroad tracks, with a loop
connector through the Department of Water & Power (DWP)
easement.
ALTERNATIVE 2 — Golden Valley Road crosses over Soledad Canyon Road,
Golden Triangle Road, and the Metrolink railroad tracks, with a free
right -turn -only loop connector through the DWP easement, and with
on/off ramps along the south side of Soledad Canyon Road going up to
Golden Valley Road.
ALTERNATIVE 3 — At -grade intersection of Golden Valley Road and Soledad Canyon
Road, with southward relocation of Golden Triangle Road to provide
adequate vehicle storage space at the railroad crossing.
ALTERNATIVE 4 — Golden Valley Road crosses over Soledad Canyon Road,
Golden Triangle Road, and the Metrolink railroad tracks, with a
connector road through the Valley Business Park, west of
Golden Valley Road.
As part of the Feasibility Study Report, a Preliminary Environmental Assessment Report
(PEAR) was prepared in June 1999, for seven initial design alternatives. The PEAR
identified the potential environmental effects of each alternative. The preferred alignment
was identified to be the current Alternative 4.
As a part of the project's environmental assessment phase, it was determined that although
there were environmental impacts as a result of the project, mitigation measures could be
incorporated into the project design and construction to minimize the impacts on the
environment to an insignificant level. Subsequently, an Initial Study and Mitigated
Negative Declaration (MND) was prepared to evaluate the impacts of four of the five
conceptual design alternatives identified in the Feasibility Study Report. The MND has
been circulated to public agencies and made available for public review per CEQA
requirements. At the time of this writing, no comments had been received from any agency
or the public.
For the purposes of this analysis, each alternative has been compared within each issue
area to the preferred alignment (Alternative 4) as identified in the PEAR. A determination
has been made whether the alternative was superior, inferior, or similar to the preferred
alignment within that specific issue area. Consideration was then given to certain issues of
greater and lesser importance in determining the relative merits of the various
alternatives.
GOLDEN VALLEY ROAD AND SOLEDAD CANYON ROAD
June 13, 2000 — Page 3
In addition, for CEQA purposes, environmental impacts that are unavoidably significant
are generally regarded as more important than those that can be mitigated to a level of
insignificance. All of the impacts of the preferred alignment (Alternative 4) can be
mitigated to a less than significant level. However, each of the other alternative scenarios
has at least one impact that may be considered unavoidable. For Alternatives 1, 2, and 3,
the configuration of the interchange would not allow avoidance of impacts relating to
removal of a historic utility tower. For Alternative 3, the potentially significant safety
conflicts associated with an at -grade railroad crossing may also be considered unavoidable.
Overall, given the safety and traffic circulation impact considerations, Alternative 4 would
be considered environmentally superior to Alternatives 1, 2, and 3, and it remains the
Study's preferred alignment.
ALTERNATIVE ACTION
Other action as determined by the City Council.
FISCAL
The anticipated full cost of this project is projected to be approximately $14 million for an
at -grade intersection, and $25 to $35 million for a grade -separated interchange. The
environmentally preferred Alternative 4 is estimated at $25.1 million, plus potential
right-of-way impacts to a proposed development. Currently, the City has submitted a grant
application to the MTA through their Abbreviated Call -for -Projects that will attempt to
secure $8.895 million in federal funding. MTA's response to the application is anticipated
by the end of July 2000.
ATTACHMENTS
Resolution
Area Map
Mitigated Negative Declaration (available in the City Clerk's Reading File)
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