HomeMy WebLinkAbout2009-05-26 - AGENDA REPORTS - OSPD PLACERITA CYN (2)Agenda Item: &_� I
CITY OF SANTA CLARITA
AGENDA REPORT
CONSENT CALENDAR City Manager Approval:
Item to be presented by:
DATE: May 26, 2009
SUBJECT: ACQUISITION OF 140 +/- ACRES OF REAL PROPERTY FOR
OPEN SPACE PRESERVATION, PLACERITA CANYON AREA,
ASSESSOR'S PARCELS 2848-012-085 AND 2848-011-010
DEPARTMENT: Parks, Recreation, and Community Services
RECOMMENDED ACTION
1. City Council approve the purchase of 140 +/- acres of real property for open space
preservation, located in Placerita Canyon, Assessor's Parcels 2848-012-085 and
2848-011-010.
2. Appropriate $736,351 from Open Space Preservation District Fund Balance (Fund 358) to
Open Space Preservation District Expenditure Account 12592-5201.004.
3. Authorize the expenditure of $650,000 from Environmental Mitigation Land Acquisition
Account R0002303.
4. Appropriate $800,000 in Developer Contribution from General Fund to Non -Departmental
Administration Account 19000-5201.004.
5. Increase Prop A Revenue Account 262-4431.002 in the amount of $250,000.
6. Authorize the City Manager, or designee, to execute all documents, subject to'City Attorney
approval.
BACKGROUND
In September 2007, the City entered into negotiations with Placerita Land and Farming Company
to purchase approximately 140 +/- acres of property for open space preservation in Placerita
Canyon. This property consists of Assessor's Parcels 2848-012-085 and 2848-011-010. On
December 11, 2007, the City Council authorized the purchase of this property for up to
$2,575,000 including the costs of due diligence investigations, consultant fees, and attorney fees.
The actual cost of this acquisition is estimated at $2,511,300, contingent upon date of actual
close of escrow.
The subject property is located adjacent to the Placerita Canyon State Park and Nature Center,
and is contiguous to the Angeles National Forest and near existing City -owned open space. This
acquisition has been found to be in compliance with Government Code Section 65402 regarding
General Plan consistency, the Open Space Preservation District, and the proposed One Valley
One Vision plan.
The City has partnered with Los Angeles County to secure a portion of the funding needed for
this acquisition. Through the County, a grant of $250,000 of Prop A.funds was obtained for the
purpose of expanding the protected lands in Placerita Canyon. These funds are on deposit and
are currently in escrow. Funds for the purchase of this property are from the following:
$736,351 - Open Space Preservation District
$725,000 - Environmental Mitigation Land Acquisition
$75,000 - Deposit in escrow
$800,000 Developer Contribution
$250,000 Los Angeles County Prop A funding
ENVIRONMENTAL REVIEW
1. The California Department of Toxic Substances Control (DTSC) has approved the Summary
Facility Investigation Report for the property and considers the investigation complete.
On May 14, 2009, the public comment period ended and DTSC is reviewing those
submittals. DTSC report is anticipated by mid-June 2009.
2. Upon completion of DTSC's public comment process of the Draft Corrective Measures
and Proposed Remedy for the property and completion of the Land Use Covenant document,
City staff will proceed with the close of escrow. Staff anticipates that escrow will close
in several weeks following the approval of this agenda item.
This project is exempt from the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) per Article
19, Categorical Exemptions, Section 15325: Transfer Ownership of Interest in Land to
Preserve Existing Natural Conditions and Historical Resources. Per Section 15325(f), the
acquisition, sale, or other transfer of land to preserve open space or lands for park purposes is
categorically exempt. Therefore, no additional review is required under California State
Law.
ALTERNATIVE ACTIONS
1. Direct staff to cease purchase of the property.
2. Other actions as determined by the City Council
.z
FISCAL IMPACT
When the City Council authorized the purchase of the property on December 11, 2007, $75,000
was put into escrow as a deposit. The additional $250,000 received from Los Angeles County,
was placed into escrow in March of 2009. Total land acquisition cost is estimated at $2,511,350,
upon City Council approval of the Recommended Action, funds will be available in expenditure
accounts R0002303, 12592, and 19000 to complete the acquisition.
ATTACHMENTS
Location Map
DTSC Public Hearing Notice and Fact Sheet
3
"Q 117
=I is
NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARING
Notice of Extension to the Public Comment Period
THE PROPOSED REMEDY GEPA6r&ZOFTOXLC
THE FORMER SPECIAL DEVICES, INCORPORATED SITE SUBSTANCUCONTROL
NEWHALL, LOS ANGELES COUNTY
April 29, 2009
In response to public requests, the Department of Toxic Substances Control (DTSC) invites you to a public
hearing on the Draft Corrective Measures Study (CMS) and Proposed Remedy for the former Special Devices,
Incorporated Site in Newhall. This CMS presents the cleanup options for the seven different areas or levels of
this former facility. This site is located within the Angeles National Forest at 16830 West Placerita Canyon
Road, about one mile west of Sand Canyon Road, Newhall in Los Angeles County.
Public Comments
DTSC welcomes your comments and will consider them before making a final decision on the remedy.
In response to public requests, DTSC has extended the public comment period ten days. You may send your
comments from March 19 through May 14, 2009, to Ken Payne, 8800 Cal Center Drive, Sacramento. CA
95826 or KPayne(c),dtsc.ca.gov. You may also comment at the Public Hearing.
Public Hearing.
April 29, 2009
Newhall Elementary School, Multipurpose Room
24607 Walnut Street
Newhall, CA 91321
6:30to9PM
If you have concerns about access to this Public Hearing, please contact Nathan Schumacher at toll free
(866) 495-6561 or at (916) 255-3650, or by e-mail at Nschumac(@dtsc.ca.qov, by April 15, 2009.
Where do I get more information?
You can view this document on the DTSC website at: http://www.envirostor.dtsc.ca.gov/public/. Please type in
"Newhall" for the city and click on "get report". When the report comes up, click on "report" at the far left. When
the SDI report comes up, click on the "community involvement' button to review the CMS and supporting
documents. Also, you may review copies of the CMS and supporting documents at this location:
- The Newhall Library, 22704 West Ninth Street, Newhall, CA 91321
The DTSC Sacramento Office maintains the complete administrative record for this site. Please call Bobbi
Jensen at (916) 255-3758 for an appointment.
For additional information contact:
If you have any questions, you may contact Nathan Schumacher, Public Participation Specialist, at toll free
(866) 495-6561 or at (916) 255-3650, Nschumac(a.dtsc.ca.gov. You may direct media inquiries to Ms. Jeanne
Garcia, Public Information Officer at (818) 717-6573, Jgarcia1(a�dtsc.ca.gov.
Notice to the Hearing Impaired: You can obtain additional information by using the California State Relay
Service at 1-888-877-5378 (TDD). Please ask them to contact Nathan Schumacher at 916-255-3650 about
SDI.
i
I
i
5
Fact Sheet, March 2009
You may review and comment
on the Proposed Cleanup for the
Former Special Devices, Inc. Site in Newhall
March 19 to May 4, 2009
The Department of Toxic Substances Control (DTSC) invites you to review and comment
on the Draft Corrective Measures Study (CMS) and Proposed Remedy for the Former
Special Devices, Incorporated (SDI) Site (the Site). The Site is located within the Angeles
National Forest at 16830 West Placerita Canyon Road, approximately one mile west of Sand
Canyon Road, in Newhall, California. The approximately_ 157 -acre Site is owned by Placenta
Land and Farming Company. Currently, the Site is surrounded by an animal rescue facility
and undeveloped private and government-owned land (please see the map on page 5).
DTSC has overseen the investigation of the Site and has approved the Summary Resource
Conservation and Recovery Act Facility Investigation Report (Summary RFI). The Summary
RFI summarizes all soil, soil -gas, and groundwater investigation results and the geological
conditions at the Site. You may review the Draft CMS and Proposed Remedy, and the
Summary RFI, at the Newhall Public Library at 22704 West Ninth Street in Newhall, CA
91321. You may also review these documents on the DTSC web site,
www.envirostor.dtsc.ca.gov/public/, by typing in the city as "Newhall" and then, at the
bottom, clicking on "Get Report", then click "Report" on the far left, then click on the
"Community Involvement" box. After that, click on the desired documents listed there. You
may read, review, or download and print any of these reports.
DTSC encourages your participation. The Draft CMS and Proposed Remedy, or cleanup
option, are based on information provided. in the .Summary RFI: The Draft CMS and
Proposed Remedy for the Site are available for review and public comment at the locations
listed above. DTSC will make a final decision after all public comment has been reviewed,
considered, a.nd addressed in the final CMS and Remedy.
Please submit written comments by U.S. Mail postmarked by May 4, 2009; or by
e-mail before the deadline date no Iater than 5 p.m. to:
Ken Payne, Project Manager, DTSC,
8800 Cal Center Drive, Sacramento CA 95826
E-mail to KPayne@dtsc.ca.gov
Si desea informaci6n en espaiiol, comuniquese con Jesus Cruz al numero gratis
1-(866) 495-5651
c5m
JAV
History
Operations began at the Site in the late 1950s and ceased in mid -1999. Special Devices Incorporated,
Hughes Aircraft, and Inflation Systems International all operated at the Site which included a number of
buildings. These buildings have been removed. Because the topography of the Site and surrounding area
consists of rugged natural terrain, the buildings were grouped in relatively small operating areas, referred to
as "Levels" (due to differing elevations), surrounded by undeveloped natural open areas.
As described in the Summary RFI, the results of the soil -gas investigation show prurnarily fuel and solvent -
type hydrocarbons in a small area on the western portion of. Level 2 and prunarily solvent -type
hydrocarbons 'n a small area on the northern portion of Level 7'. In both cases, the results of a Human
Health Risk Assessment show that risks to persons outdoors, such as in a park or natural open -space .
setting, are below levels of concern. -However, the human health risks to persons indoors, in a commercial
or residential setting (e.g., if structures were to be built in the impacted areas), could be unacceptable
without the constriction of special venting systems. Currently, the impacted soil -gas does not present a risk
to human health or the environment.
The results of the groundwater investigation show very low levels of a few solvent -type hydrocarbons and
their breakdown products in a small area in the middle of Level 2 and low levels of a few solvent -type
hydrocarbons in a small area on the northern portion of Level 7. As described in the Summary RFI, the
groundwater at the Site has not been used in the past and is not currently being used. Because the amount of
groundwater present is limited, and depends on seasonal rainfall, future groundwater use at the Site is
unlikely. Currently, the impacted groundwater does not present a short or long-term risk to human health
or the environment on or -off-site.
Draft CMS and Proposed Remedy Overview
The purpose of the CMS is to identify and evaluate potential cleanup alternatives for the chemicals found in
the soil gas and groundwater at Levels 2 and 7. In its current condition, or for use as open space or a park,
DTSC--recd riends =that the Site does not require any clean up. DTSC will requite additional measures if
there are future plans to conduct soil -disturbing activities and/or construct buildings over the soil gas -
impacted areas, and/or to extract groundwater from areas where groundwater impact was. identified. DTSC
has identified and evaluated the following clean up options for soil gas and groundwater at Levels 2 and 7:
Soil Gas
1. No Action / Passive Remediation
2. Institutional Controls
3. Soil Vapor Extraction
4. Bioventing
5. Source Removal
Groundwater
1. No Action / Passive Remediation
2. Institutional Controls
3. Ait Sparging
4. Chemical Oxidation
5. Pump and Treat
i No Action/Passive Remediation leaves the Site as it is and allows natural processes to reduce
contamination over tune.
i Institutional Controls also leave the Site as it is, with a Land Use Covenant (LUC). The LUC is a
recorded document that imposes legal restrictions on activities conducted at the Site and/or future use
of the land in specific restricted areas where contaminants of concern are present.
`i Soil Vapor Extraction is a process in which chemical vapors are extracted from the soil by applying a
Vacuum to small -diameter vapor extraction wells.
:- Ait Sparging removes volatile organic chemicals (such as solvents) by forcing a stream of air through
the contaminated material. The contarninants are evaporated into the air stream. Usually the }
contanunants are pulled from the air before the air's rele6.se to the atmosphere.
i Bioventing uses naturally -occurring microorganisms to change toxic compounds into non-toxic
compounds.
Chemical Oxidation is a process in which chemicals are pumped into the contaminated groundwater
causing the contaminants to break down. When the oxidation is completed, only water and other
harmless substances are left behind.
i Source Removal is excavation to remove contaminated rock and soil containing the contaminated'
material that migrates into the soil gas and/or groundwater.
Pump and Treat is a method that pumps contaminated groundwater to the surface for treatment.
As described in the Draft CIVIS and Proposed Ikernedy, the hardness of the underlying bedrock at both Level
2 and Level 7 prohibit effective clean up of soil gas by Soil Vapor Extraction or Bioventing. The composition
of the soil prevents enough of the groundwater to be drawn in for treatment by Air Sparging, Chemical
Oxidation, or Pump and Treat. Also, the excavation of soil to remove the contamination is cost-prolubitive
and has potential negative impacts on the environment. Please see the table on page 6 for a display of the
options.
Conclusions
DTSC recommends the No Action/Passive Remediation option with the use of Institutional Controls for
both soil gas and groundtivater. DTSC will establish the boundary of the soil gas and groundwater -restricted
areas covered by the LUC based upon the Site conditions and the future use of the land and groundwater.
California Environmental Quality Act
In compliance with the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA), DTSC has prepared a draft Notice of
Exemption (NOE) for this project. the NOE states that the proposed remedy will not have a significant
negative effect on human health and the environment because it will involve land use controls as well as strict
control on access to the two small areas of contamination. You may review the NOE at the Newhall Public
Library or on the DTSC web site (as detailed on page 1).
What happens next?
Comments can be submitted in writing to Ken Payne at'the address below. Written comments must be
postmarked on or before May 4, 2009, and comments sent electronically must be received by 5 p.m. on May
4, 2009. After the close of the Public Comment Period, DTSC will review and consider any public comments
and make any necessary revisions to the Draft CMS and Proposed Remedy prior to final approval. Also, a
Response to Comments document will be mailed to everyone who makes a conunent and provides their
name and address. If DTSC approves the Proposed Remedy, DTSC will write the final LUC, and it will be
recorded with the Count, of Los Angeles Assessors Office.
Who to contact for more information
If you have questions, please contact:
Nathan Schlunacher
DTSC Public Participation Specialist
8800 Cal Center Drive
Sacramento, CA 95826
Phone toll free at (866) 495-5651; please select option # 1, and then option # 5 or call the direct line:
(916) 255-3650
E -Mail: NSchunlac@dtsc.ca.gov
Ken Payne
DTSC Project Manager
8800 Cal Center Drive.
Sacramento, CA 95826
Phone (916) 255-6444
E -Mail: Kpayneaa,dtsc.ca.gov
For media inquiries, please contact:
Jeanne Garcia
DTSC Public Information Officer
9211 Oakdale Avenue
Chatsworth, CA 91311-6505
Phone (818) 717-6573
E-mail: jgarcial(Rdtsc.ca.aov
NOTICE TO THE HEARING IMPAIRED
You may obtain additional information by using the California State Relay Service at 1-888-877-5378
(TDD). Please ask them to contact Mr. Nathan Schumacher at .(916) 255-3650, regarding the Former SDI
Site investigation.
Mailing List Coupon
If your address is on the envelope, then you are on the mailing list for the Site. If not, you can be added to
the mailing list Please fill out this coupon and send it to Nathan Schumacher,_ DTSC, 8800 Cal Center
Drive, Sacramento, CA 95826.
Name:
Mailing Address:
City, State, Zip:
DTSC mailing lists are solely for the purpose of keeping persons informed of. DTSC activities. Mailing lists
are not routinely released to outside parties. However, they are considered public records and, if requested,
may be subject to release..
0
0
O �.
i
l
O
C
E
�
69-
6-9-
cv �
rn
C
Q)
>
C
U Ox
_
m
cu
C
C
U
(6
C
O
C 0)O
l
U
CL
ca
�/�y/
�.
U)
O
0 O
.—
>
oj
L
—_
ti
0
rO 'x
VJ LLJ
fII
>
LU
N
C
O
Q
C N
O O
-
L
V) U
c
LL
flS
W
z
N
C
Z
O
O
O
Q
O
_
N
O
Y
O
N
(0
O
N
�
L
C
.�
+0.•
.�
U
li
li
U O
C
O
o
Z
Z
Q N
L
�O
L
wO
O a)
Y
Y
Z.?
O
O
t
fu
d
O - '
C m O NCN
f�
>
J
>
J
J O
U
Q N
L
l
E
cv �
cu
C
U Ox
cu
C
O
U
m
C
C 0)O
l
CL
L
0
�/�y/
�.
-a
N
(6
fII
>
LU
N
C
O
Q
C N
O O
O
L
V) U
c
LL
C
O
z
.2f
Z
U Na)
Q 0L
O
O
O a)
z .�
Y
O
Y
O
N
(0
ZS L
O (D a)
C
O
U O