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Home My WebLink About2005-04-26 - AGENDA REPORTS - CROSS VALLEY CONNECTOR GAP EIR (2)PUBLIC HEARING DATE: SUBJECT: DEPARTMENT: Agenda Item: CITY OF SANTA CLARITA AGENDA REPORT City Manager Approval: Item to be presented by: April 26, 2005 Curtis Nay / Wendy DISCUSSION OF THE CROSS VALLEY CONNECTOR GAP CLOSURE EIR Building and Engineering RECOMMENDED ACTION City Council receive the staff report, open the public hearing for testimony, continue the public hearing and continue consideration of this item to May 24, 2005. A public hearing on this matter has been duly noticed for May 24, 2005. BACKGROUND The project analyzed in the FEIR is one of six segments planned or under construction that would comprise, along with previously completed roadway segments, what is known as the Cross Valley Connector. The Cross Valley Connector is an 8.5 -mile (13.7 -kilometer) roadway through the City that would provide a cross-town connection between I-5 and SR 14. The complete Cross Valley Connector was analyzed at a program level in the City of Santa Clarita Circulation Element Amendment Environmental Impact Report (1997). Final Environmental Impact Report (FEIR) for the construction of Newhall Ranch Road from the existing terminus of Copperhill Drive/Rye Canyon Road west to the Interstate 5 (I-5)/State Route (SR)126 interchange is tierred from the FEIR for the Circulation Element Amendment and provides a project -level review of the proposed segment. The need for a Cross Valley Connector between I-5 and SR 14 has been identified in traffic studies since before the incorporation of the City. In the 1980's, the California Department of Transportation (Caltrans) studied the extension and realignment of SR 126 as the Cross Valley Freeway/Highway or Expressway. Caltrans' studies were the subject of much discussion between the City and various community -interest and neighborhood groups. As a result, some alignments for the road were rejected based on this public input, and the freeway concept was ultimately Continued To: s_a L//b_' rejected by the City. Nonetheless, Caltrans, and other studies proved valuable over the years in determining feasible alignments across the City for the Cross Valley Connector. In 1997, an Environmental Impact Report (EIR) was prepared for the City's Circulation Element Amendment. That EIR addressed, at a program level, seven alternatives to the SR 126 Expressway, which was included in the City's first Circulation Element adopted in 1991. The key difference among the alternatives was the approach to providing a route across the Santa Clarita Valley, connecting I-5 and SR 14. On September 30, 1997, the Santa Clarita City Council adopted Resolution 97-113, approving the removal of SR 126 from the Master Plan of Arterial Highways, selecting Alternative 4 (Augmented Newhall Ranch Road Reduction) and Transportation Demand Management measures and adopting the amendments to the Circulation Element. The City Council also certified the FEIR for the Circulation Element Amendment and adopted a Mitigation Monitoring and Reporting Program for the measures specified in the Circulation Element EIR (Resolution 91-143). The project analyzed in this FOR is known as the Cross Valley Connector Gap Closure Project Newhall Ranch Road — Copper Hill Drive/Rye Canyon Road to I-5 project. Because of the potential for significant environmental impacts as a result of the project, staff determined that an EIR must be prepared. Therefore, a Notice of Preparation (NOP) was completed and filed with the State Clearinghouse on December 3, 2002. The Draft Environmental Impact Report (DEIR) circulation period was from December 9, 2004, to January 21, 2005. A public meeting was held in accordance with Caltrans' requirements on January 5, 2005. A legal notice advertising the public hearing was placed in a local newspaper. No members of the public appeared at the public hearing and all comments regarding the DEIR were received and addressed in the FEIR for the City Council's review and certification. PROJECT SCBM I AGINT rnv�u�, i LEJl.1tlC 11V1V The project before the Council this evening is the review of the FEIR for the construction of an 8 -lane (four in each direction), 160 -foot wide, 1.6 mile extension of Newhall Ranch Road from Copper Hill Drive/Rye Canyon Road to just east of the Interstate 5/SR126 interchange, including sidewalks, a raised and landscaped median, landscaped parkways, streetlights, curb and gutter, and a Class I bike path. Construction of the project would entail excavation and grading, utility relocation including the relocation of a debris basin, road paving, and miscellaneous finish work. The proposed roadway would be located in a generally undeveloped area bordered to the south by industrial and commercial uses. New industrial and commercial uses are also located in the Rye Canyon Business Park, immediately north of the proposed alignment and west of Copper Hill Drive. An existing Southern California Edison transmission corridor, County debris basin, oil pipelines, high-pressure gas pipelines, and other utilities cross the proposed alignment. The terrain immediately north of the alignment is steeply sloped and includes City -designated significant ridgelines. The property to the north is owned by the Southern California Gas Company, which uses the area for the underground storage of natural gas. Vegetation in the western portion of the alignment is limited to shrubs and sparse grasses. There is a dry wash near the eastern portion of the alignment which contains riparian vegetation and at least two mature oak trees. No heritage oak trees would be impacted by the project. One valley oak and one scrub oak may be removed. Refinement of the final project plans may result in a limited increase or decrease in the riparian and other plant community impacts, however, mitigation measures included in the FEIR would fully mitigate biological resource impacts and any minor changes in impact area will be addressed as part of the permitting process with regulatory agencies. The existing General Plan designations for the project site are Residential Estate (RE) and Business Park (BP). The project site is zoned RE, BP, and Specific Plan (SP). The project does not involve any new development. Furthermore, the project does not change the current zoning or land use designations along the alignment and therefore, will not result in an increase in density throughout the vicinity. Environmental Impact Report An Initial Study and Notice of Preparation (NOP) for the Cross Valley Connector Gap Closure EIR were circulated in December 2002. Subsequently, a Draft Environmental Impact Report (DEIR) was prepared by the City's EIR Consultant (Jones and Stokes) that addresses the comments received in response to the NOP. On December 9, 2004,'the Draft Environmental Impact Report was circulated for public review and comment. The review period closed January 21, 2005. A public meeting was held during the public comment period on January 5, 2005 to answer questions about the EIR and to receive public comments. No members of the public attended the public meeting. All comments on the DEIR were received and addressed in the FEIR. The FEIR, which includes responses to agency comments and the Mitigation Monitoring and Reporting Program, was completed and available for public review on April 15, 2005. Two alternatives were considered as part of the EIR, including the No Project/No Build LLiiGlll(lil vc allll it J1A-L6llc Aliclllaiivo. Ullllcl ills INV Dullu Alielllau1. vc, LUC plupuscu prujcui would not be constructed. Newhall Ranch Road would tenninate, as it currently does, at Copper Hill Drive/Rye Canyon Road and would not be extended to the west to connect to the I-5/SR 126 interchange. The preferred alternative is the project alternative, which would provide 8 lanes, consistent with the General Plan Circulation Element specifications for this portion of the Cross Valley Connector. The EIR identifies issue areas as environmental areas where: (1) "Beneficial" impacts would occur; (2) where "Not Significant" impacts would occur without mitigation; (3) where "Impacts" which can be mitigated to "Not Significant" with mitigation would occur; and (4) where "Significant" impacts would remain after mitigation. `Beneficial" impacts include: community character and cohesion benefits, improved emergency response time, trail system linkage improvements, improvements to seven of the roadway segments studied, improvements in the overall traffic flow on the roadway system, regional air quality, and long-term energy (reduced gas consumption) benefits. Impacts which are "Not Significant" without mitigation include: land use and planning, population and housing, utilities, police and fire, schools, parks, scenic vistas and views, visual quality, character and resources, light, shade and glare, historical resources, water supply, flood hazards and drainage, erosion, local operational air quality, and energy impact. The following impacts were "Not Significant" without mitigation, but mitigation measures were still provided in the EIR: police and fire response during construction, traffic during construction, hydrology and water quality during construction, hazardous waste/materials, construction noise and oak trees. Impacts which are "Not Significant" with mitigation include impacts to: archeological resources, paleontological resources, geology and soils, wetlands and waters of the United States, vegetation, wildlife, and special interest species. In addition, impacts which remain "Significant" after mitigation include: impacts to the roadway segment of Copper Hill Drive north of Newhall Ranch Road, impacts to the intersection of the I-5 SB ramps and SRI 26 in the AM and PM peak periods, impacts to the intersection of Newhall Ranch Road and Copper Hill Drive/Rye Canyon Road during the PM peak period, and peak -day and peak -quarter NOx and PM10 emissions during construction. ALTERNATIVES 1. Other action as determined by the Council. FISCAL IMPACT There are no impacts to the City's budget, since this action is to receive the staff report, open the public hearing for testimony, continue the public hearing to the May 24, 2005 City Council meeting for consideration of certification of the FEIR, approval of the Mitigation Monitoring and Reporting Program, adoption of the Statement of Overriding Considerations, and approval the project in concept. However, if the project were to move forward in the future, there may be fiscal impacts. The funding for the Cross Valley Connector Gap Closure Project Newhall Ranch Road — Copper Hill Drive/Rye Canyon Road to I-5 project includes federal funds, City and County Bridge and Thoroughfare Fees and Proposition C-25 funds. No budget approval action is requested at this time or at the May 24, 2005 City Council meeting. ATTACHMENTS Draft Environmental Impact Report (DEIR) available in the City Clerk's Reading File Final Environmental Impact Report (FEIR) available in the City Clerk's Reading File •, }1M}l O< CITY OF SANTA CLARITA r' *'a DEPARTMENT OF PLANNING AND ECONOMIC DEVLOPMENT ; NOTICE OF CITY COUNCIL PUBLIC HEARING FOR THE CROSS VALLEY CONNECTOR '"�^-^^°` APPLICATION: Environmental Impact Report for Cross Valley Connector PROJECT LOCATION: The Cross Valley Connector is Newhall Ranch Road from the existing terminus of Copperhill D ive/Rye Canyon west to the Interstate 5 (I-5)/State Route 126 interchange. PROJECT DESCRIPTION: The applicant, the City of Santa Clarita Transportation and Engineering Services has prepared an Environmental Impact Report (EIR) for the construction of Newhall Ranch Road from the existing terminus of Copperhill Drive/Rye Canyon west to the Interstate 5 (I- 5)/State Route 126 interchange. PROJECT PROPONENT: City of Santa Clarita The public hearing to discuss the project will be conducted by the City of Santa Clarita City Council on: DATE: April 26, 2005 LOCATION: City Council Chambers TIME: At or after 6:00 p.m. 23920 Valencia Blvd., First Floor Santa Clarita, CA 91355 An Environmental Impact Report has been prepared for the project to identify potential environmental impacts. The Draft Environmental Impact Report (DEIR) became available for public review beginning December 9, 2004. The Final Environmental Impact Report has been prepared and is available for public review beginning on April 14, 2005. If you wish to challenge the action taken on this matter in court, you may be limited to raising only those issues you or someone else raised at the public hearing described in this notice, or in written correspondence delivered to the City of Santa Clarita at, or prior to, the public hearing. For further information regarding this proposal, you may contact the City of Santa Clarita, Department of Building and Engineering Services, 23920 Valencia Boulevard, 302, Santa Clarita, CA 91355; Telephone: (661) 255-4330. Project Manager: Harry Corder Posted: Santa Clarita City Hall and Los Angeles County Library (Valencia Branch) Published: The Newhall Signal